Busy, Dizzy Saturday

Last week was color, this week it's sound. With Pioneer Days in full swing, the Farmers Market was abuzz. Ringers rang out a few feet away at the horseshoe tournament. Later the ringing was joined by the roar of gunfire from a wild-west theatre group.
The Market welcomed several new vendors. Brittany, of Marlinton, brought an array of treats, including butternut pound cake and salt rising bread, based on her grandmother's recipes. Good to see a family tradition continue.

Joe, of Briar Patch Farm in Little Levels, added an exciting new range of fresh produce including a strange-looking purple root vegetable called "kohlrabi" or German turnip. It's crunchy and delicious raw or quickly cooked in little olive oil or butter. Audrey, of Huntersville, brought cookies, fudge and always-welcome pepperoni rolls.

Our gardens are finally starting to produce in quantity, but still not enough to satisfy demand. To get a good selection, please come early. Popular items like squash and eggs tend to sell out within minutes after we set up.

Helpful hint: It's time to plan to store produce for lean winter months. Make room in your freezer, clean up those canning jars and set up a cool, dark corner of the cellar. You'll be glad you did.

Straw hats off to the good folks who work behind the scenes to make things like Pioneer Days and Durbin Days (next weekend) happen. Without their tireless efforts the county would be a less enjoyable place to live in or to visit.