News From Up North
June 30th, 2013 · No Comments · Posted in Blog, News from Up North
Chicken doesn’t get any fresher than this
Our friends Jared and Shannon of Taproots farm had their first chicken butchering of the season on Friday and we lucked out: only one of the birds had not already been spoken for and he was a big one–at least seven pounds, I’m guessing. Brother-in-law Tom went to work turning that chicken into the dinner you see in the photo above, seared, baked, then smothered in a sauce of cream, tarragon and mustard.
On the side is a salad of fresh local greens and Swiss chard I snagged out of the “free” bin reserved for members at the Cambridge food co-op.
Jared and Shannon raise their chickens entirely on pasture. In addition to being freshly butchered, the meat is incredibly pristine. What you see here is the breast. Personally, I’m a dark meat kind of guy. I can’t wait to dig into the thighs and see what those are like.
Here’s some late-breaking news: a moose was sighted in Argyle. Michael Skelly spotted the beast sauntering along near “The Hook” on Coach Road around 6:30 a.m. We have since talked with local residents who report bears as well. Bird feeders are an attractant.
Storms continue to buffet the area and daily rains are making life difficult for local farms and other agricultural businesses. High winds and lightning have knocked out power and toppled trees onto homes and automobiles. In Cambridge, the highway department worked for hours clearing dozens of downed trees. For a time, King Road was closed because of a tree that had fallen on power lines.
There’s square dancing today in Schuylerville. The Country Round and Square Dance Association is hosting an “old style country dance” from 2 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion post on Clancy Street.
Greenwich will be holding its Community Radio Benefit Concert featuring local artists on July 13 at St. Joseph’s Hall. Musicians Bob Warren, Joy MacKenzie, Mark Jones, Tom Keller and Cavanaugh & Kavanaugh are on the bill. Warren and MacKenzie are slated to open the town’s summer concert series in Mowry Park on July 3 as well.
Also coming up in Greenwhich: Music from Salem will present a workshop for kids in grades 6-12 at the Greenwich Youth Center July 3 and August 8. Pizza will be served.
Last we heard, tickets were still available for the dinner and theater event being jointly sponsored by Gardenworks and Fort Salem Theater July 6. Dinner features local ingredients, starting with a cheese board, then a main course of Tuscan chicken, herb-roasted potatoes, mesclun salad and a dessert of Gardenworks blueberries and raspberries. Diners then move to the theater for a performance of I Do, I Do. Tickets are $60.
It’s not too late for senior to sign up for a trip to Pennsylvania’s Amish country September 11-13. Participants will be picked up at the seniors center in Cambridge. Count on lots of good food and a stop to see Noah at the Millennium Theater.
Jackson residents should mark their calendars: the town-wide picnic is scheduled for August 9 at the Lake Lauderdale Pavilion starting at 6 p.m. This is a pot luck affair, so bring a dish to share.
Congratulations to kinds in the HAYC3 after school program in Hoosick Falls for planting pumpkin seeds in the garden on Church Street. They’re hoping the pumpkins will grow fast enough to be ready for the big “Pumpkinpalooza 5” event this fall.
The fourth annual Carl Lufkin Memorial Garden Tractor Pull is scheduled for July 13 in Argyle. The event includes garden tractor and ATV pulls as well as antique tractor stone boat pulling. Kids are invited to take part in pedal tractor pulling as well. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For advance sale of pig roast tickets, contact Michelle Armstrong.
Of course this week there are lots of activities centered around Independence Day, including parades, carnivals and barbecues. Check local listings for details.
Finally, in dairy princess news, newly installed Washington County Dairy Princess Alison Parrott distributed cups of chocolate milk to county supervisors and gave a brief presentation on her duties. Meanwhile, Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon says people who are lactose intolerant should nevertheless find ways to consume plenty of dairy. “You hear all the time that milk has lot of nutrients, and that it will keep your bones strong, but many people don’t understand how important and nutritious milk really is,” McMahon told readers.
She also said that people concerned about fat should not be put off by dairy products. “Yes, dairy does have fat in it like almost every other food in the grocery store does, but it also has a variety of health benefits that the potato chips and french fries you eat doesn’t (sic).” For instance, you might try McMahon’s version of graham cracker pie, which includes one tub of Cool Whip and two cups of pineapple Chobani yogurt.
This edition of 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.
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