New Hampshire and The Nauga
The Nauga Cake
Every October Steve and I head up to our friend’s house on Lake Winnipesaukee. These extended weekends are full of canoeing, hiking, mad music-making, fires in the various fireplaces, saunas, walks, tons of cooking/eating – and general hanging out and talking about how awesome everything is.
This year, the weekend we picked was our friend Andy’s birthday. So naturally, we celebrated with a Nauga Cake.
Andy is to be credited with having introduced us to The Naugahyde Monster, the most positive of creatures. The Nauga is the mascot, so to speak, of UniRoyal – who manufactured Naugahyde couches in the 70s. I STRONGLY encourage you to visit this link to read The Nauga’s bio. It’s long and full of fascinating facts I’ll bet you didn’t know about this sweet, sweet monster. There are also many drawings depicting Nauga history, such as a prehistoric Nauga, as well as my favorite -Naugas coming to America through Ellis Island.
Here’s a small excerpt (albeit a little corporate-speak) to whet your whistle:
“The small chameleon-like animals known as Naugas™ have long been known as the source of beautiful and durable fabrics that look like fine, soft leather. And since Naugas shed their hydes without harm to themselves, the fabrics they help make came to be known as Naugahyde®, The Cruelty Free Fabric™.”
Side note: I was told that ‘the shedding of their skins’ was added when PETA initially reacted to the original idea that thousands of these darling little creatures had to die for the couches. Fair enough. It goes on to cite history’s many famous Naugas and their achievements, and what an inspiring bunch! From their altruistic nature to their innovative genius to their athletic prowess, there’s much to admire about The Nauga.
Winnipesaukee Steve
We forced our accomplice, Steve Bag, to take a walk in the pouring rain with Andy to get him out of the house while we decorated this cake. Thank you Bag, for risking pneumonia for the glory of The Nauga Cake!
On another note, here’s a shot of Winnipesaukee Steve bonin’ up on a bunch of old-time folk songs, to be performed by us at this weekend’s Harry Smith Festival in Millheim, PA.