News from Up North
June 9th, 2013 · 4 Comments · Posted in News from Up North
“Moon Glow” illuminates the night in Cambridge
Oh, woe and sadness. It looked like the 13th annual balloon fest in Cambridge might be washed out entirely because of rain. Lift-offs and a concert were cancelled. A fireworks display was postponed until later in the month. But then at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night, a miracle occurred. The sun broke through the clouds. Hundreds of local townsfolk gathered on the green behind the IGA grocery on Main Street and shortly after dark three balloons were inflated and illuminated for the traditional “Moon Glow” event.
Ooh, aah!
Balloons were scheduled to be sent aloft Sunday morning, when weather predictions were more favorable.
The weekend began for your roving correspondent with a buffet pancake breakfast at St. Luke’s Episcopal church. Diners were comforted by video of a log fire projected onto a television monitor in one corner of the parish house dining room.
Then it was on to New Skete Monastery for a host of activities.
New Skete is an Orthodox order descended from Russian missionaries who settled originally in Alaska. They became Franciscans for a while, but then returned to the Orthodox faith, purchasing farmland in the 1960s for $50 and acre on a hilltop outside Cambridge. Efforts at traditional farming failed for lack of good topsoil, we were told. But the monks became famous for raising German Shepherd dogs and have since been joined by an order of nuns, who likewise have gained a good bit of notice because of their most excellent cheesecakes
Machine applies cookie crumbs to cheesecakes
The monastery opened its doors for public tours to celebrate the balloon festival. Crowds toured the kitchen where the nuns turn out some 200 cheesecakes daily. There are huge vats for mixing batter. A giant oven with rotating shelves bakes the cakes. And there’s a device that spins the cake molds to apply cookie crumbs; another slices the finished cakes into wedges.
Following a lecture in the basilica, more crowds lined up outside the kennels for a demonstrations in “puppy socialization.” But there were so many people, it was hard to hear or see what was going on. That’s when I made my exit.
Locally grown popcorn for sale
I thought about stopping by the nuns’ gift shop for a cheesecake, but at $45 for a sampler, the cakes are a bit much for one person. I needn’t have worried. Turns out the nuns were among the vendors at the “Taste of Cambridge” event behind the IGA, selling slices for $3. There was also homemade ice cream from The Ice Cream Man in Greenwich, smoked sausages from Eagle Bridge Custom Meat & Smokehouse, and fried dough from School House Pizza.
I was particularly taken with the locally grown popcorn.
In other news, St. Patrick’s Church in Cambridge will be holding its annual “strawberry festival” next Sunday, June 16. Strawberries, cake, ice cream and soda are on the menu.
Judy Beth Center after many years is retiring as head librarian in Cambridge. Judy and her husband Art have lived in the community for more than 40 years.
Meanwhile, Salem Mayor Anne Dunigan resigned suddenly, it was announced. She will be replaced until the next election by village Turstee Marcus Blanck. No explanation for the mayor’s stepping down was given.
The Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club of Victory Mills will host a bass fishing tournament Saturday, June 15, to be followed by a fish fry.
That same day, at 1 p.m., New Netherlands Institute Trustee Bill Greer will give a talk on “the bawdy world of Dutch New York from 1624 to 1664” at Saratoga Town Hall in Schuylerville.
On Wednesday, June 19, a talk on “Producing Heirloom Wheat for the Personal Homestead” will take place at Edge Brook Acres in Wilton.
Results are in from the Hoosick Grange “Baking Powder Biscuit Contest.” Martha Babbitt was declared the winner. She now has to make her biscuits for the Rensselaer County contest.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will present “Good Garden Tool Round-Up” on June 13, 7 p.m., at the Robert C. Parker School.
The Greenwich library’s “giant blowout book sale” is scheduled for a “friends only” preview June 13, and continues for the general public June 14 and 15 to coincide with the “Whipple City” festival.
The 81st LeBarron Family Reunion is now scheduled for July 21 at Lake Lauderdale. Please bring photos and other memorabilia to share.
Congratulations to sixth-grader Alyssa Loveland for taking first place in the Salem Central School spelling bee.
Finally, Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon says that as we move into June, “it’s even more important than usual that we consume our three [servings] Every Day of dairy products.” June being “national dairy month,” McMahon says she expects to be even busier than usual. For “this week’s yummy dairy delight,” she suggests readers try the “Jiffy Corn Bread” recipe of past dairy princess Janice Cipperly,” as published in “the official 50th anniversary celebratory princess cookbook.”
This edition of The News from Up North was culled from actual news reports in the Washington County area and is presented here for the enjoyment and edification of our readers. As always, stay alert and please drive carefully.
Ed…try that Jiffy cornbread…it is to DIE for! I make it all the time, and it comes out like a corn pudding. It’s delicious, but expensive if you’re counting calories! Yum!
Ed, it appears that you are having too much fun!
Yes, Paul. When I’m not scything milkweed, all I do is have fun.
Diane, our favorite has always been a souffled corn bread baked in an iron skillet.
http://www.theslowcook.com/blog/2011/01/07/kids-bake-souffled-corn-bread/