It was the late former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who first gave national recognition to Warm Springs, Georgia when, in 1924,  he visited the town's naturally heated mineral springs as treatment for his polio related paralysis. Georgia State Parks recently refurbished the pools and, although they are now mostly empty, a touch pool still exists where visitors are welcome to feel the actual warm spring water and listen to information about its' history. The warm springs maintains a constant 88 degree temperature year round and flows at approximately 914 gallons per minute.

Roosevelt was so enchanted with Warm Springs that he built the only home he ever owned here - a modest, six room cottage called the Little White House which served as a relaxing, comfortable haven for him during his regular  visits to Warm Springs. It was here he is believed to have developed his New Deal policies that would affect the entire nation, here where he relaxed and socialized and here where he died on April 12, 1945 while posing for the "Unfinished Portrait".

On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1939, Franklin Roosevelt carved the turkey at the annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Warm Springs, Georgia, and wished all Americans across the country a Happy Thanksgiving via radio address. Roosevelt could have spent Thanksgiving anywhere in the United States, including his sprawling Hyde Park estate in New York. But FDR spent it with a group of people who had endured physical burdens and suffered ostracism due to the dreaded polio disease. He carved the turkey while seated beside children in leg braces, and talked about the battle against a dreaded affliction.These dinners were always a joyous, rollicking event and an event that President Roosevelt and all his guests and patients enjoyed very much. This Vidalia marmalade recipe was most assuredly on the dinner table as the President and guests enjoyed a thankful harvest and each others company. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Warm Springs Vidalia Marmalade (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Recipes)

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 pound Vidalia onions, sliced very thin

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add onions and sauté until lightly brown, (about 8 to 10 minutes).

3. Add garlic and cook for 60 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.

4. Stir in remaining five ingredients and immediately reduce heat to low.

5. Cook an additional 5 minutes or until marmalade is thick, stirring occasionally.

Serve 2 tablespoons warm marmalade over cooked hot dogs in a heated bun.

Makes 1 to 1 1/2 cups marmalade.

Recipe courtesy of the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council.

President Roosevelt and child photo courtesy of the Digital Library of Georgia.

President Roosevelt “Unfinished Portrait” courtesy of the Digital Library of Georgia.

Comments

Natasha - 5 Star Foodie

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I enjoyed the story and the recipe is awesome! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Saturday 28 November 2009, 18:34

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Sophie

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I so loved reading this story!!

I also love the recipe! A must try! Thanks a lot!

Yum!

Saturday 28 November 2009, 23:41

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