About Us

Scandia Patch Press began in 1995, in the kitchen of a hundred year old farm house in Scandia, Washington, USA. The house sits on a small farm called "Scandia Patch," owned and run by Dwight and Pauline Droz. Scandia Patch Press started with the technical vision of Don Taylor, the editing artistry of K. D. Kragen, and the words and poetry of Dwight and Pauline Droz. Soon other talented individuals joined the team: Jerry George, photo restoration expert and cover design artist, Janet Kragen, artist, and Lance Kragen, audio CD book production expert.

With production of the series, Culture On The Cuff, by Dwight R. Droz, Scandia Patch Press joined up with Lightening Source, Inc. (a subsidiary of Ingram Industries, Inc.), to become one of the first small presses utilizing the new and revolutionary publishing technology "Print On Demand" or P.O.D. (visit Lightning Source on the web to learn more about P.O.D.). Finally, in 2004--the year we produced the work of our first new author, Geoffrey Carroll Kragen, Sr. --webmaster and marketing consultant, Eric von Foerster, joined our team.

Below is an excerpt from the "Forward" of our very first book, One For The Weather, One For The Crow, by Dwight and Pauline Droz.

Ever since he retired in 1972 to run the Scandia Patch farm full-time with his wife Pauline, Dwight Droz (pronounced "Droh") has wanted to write a book. The urge probably began as far back as the 1930s, when he was featured as "The Idaho Poet" on a state-wide network of radio stations. Nevertheless, Dwight has for years been developing a fascinating collection of essays and stories based on his personal experiences from earlier days.

In the midst of his meticulous preparation for the book, however, serendipity stepped in and completely changed his plans. Thirty years after opening their doors, Dwight and Pauline decided they could no longer handle the rigors of plowing, planting, cultivating, harvesting and selling the abundant crops produced by the rich Scandia valley soil. Just as Dwight was finally able to change his focus from farming to putting the finishing touches on that long-thought-about book, a small group of us convinced Dwight and Pauline to celebrate their 30 years of service to the community by publishing a book highlighting their experiences at Scandia Patch.

We wanted you to come to know them personally, just as we had. They conceded to publishing a book containing a cornucopia of stories, recipes and photographs that represented their many years at Scandia Patch. So it was, that on one warm summer afternoon, Dwight and Pauline found themselves in their tiny kitchen, telling their marvelous stories to a portable tape recorder. When they were finished, they brought out the large box of personal photographs and the newspaper clippings from stories written about them and Scandia Patch. Pauline then sifted through volumes of 3-ring notebooks bursting at the seams with recipes, selecting from them a precious few all-time favorites.

This book is the result of that afternoon's efforts. What you are about to read is a nearly word for word transcription of the memories recounted that day, plus several of the photographs-and Pauline's favorite mouth-watering recipes. (Oh, yes-the final section of the book is a brief history of Scandia itself, written by Dwight in his usual style. Consider it a little taste of what his next book will be like.) You'll feel like you're sitting at the table in that tiny kitchen, absorbing every word of their wit and wisdom. The only thing you'll lack is the tantalizing aroma of freshly-baked onion dill bread.

But this is more than just the story of a man and a woman who tilled the soil and marketed the fruits of their labors. It is a statement of the powerful effect that simple acts of civility, respect and kindness have on the lives of others, as can be attested by literally thousands of adults and school children in our local community.

Nor is this a story limited to one small town in Washington State, for throughout this country there are those in every community who quietly serve, asking little in return. These ministers of kindness already know a powerful principle of which we all should become aware: each day, our every action spins a tiny thread that connects our lives with those of others. These threads, when woven together, become the moral fabric of a nation.

When we examine the lives of Dwight and Pauline Droz, and countless others like them, we can wistfully remember days gone by, or we can instead catch a glimpse of how powerfully meaningful our lives can be. The choice is ours. As the songwriter said, These are the good old days.

DON TAYLOR, 1996, Poulsbo, Washington

Since One For The Weather, Scandia Patch Press has produced seven other books by Dwight R. Droz: Arizona Bound (with Annie Campbell); the four volume series Culture On The Cuff; a single volume, The Midnight Poet; and Dwight's eighth book, newly available, Fishback Hill.

In 2004, Scandia Patch Press began expanding production with its first new author, Geoffrey Carroll Kragen, Sr., The Doom Of The Bridge. We are presently considering other local authors and other publishing opportunities.

12.09.2006.