The Slowcook at Spydog Farm The Slowcook at Spydog Farm

News from Up North

October 6th, 2013 · No Comments · Posted in News from Up North, rural life

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We have greens!

One of my favorite things for breakfast is fried eggs over braised greens and the mustard greens I planted in August in our little garden outside the kitchen are ready to harvest. They’re more than ready, I’d say. Rather large, in fact.

I braised these in a skillet with a little tarragon vinegar. Get them steaming, then cover with a pot lid till they’re completely wilted and ready to melt in your mouth. Cover with fried eggs.

We’ve also got purple Mizuna, arugula and red choi going gangbusters. Looks like the deer have been nibbling on the collards, but the Russian kale appears to have survived unscathed so far. Cooked or in a salad, they add so much zest to our meals.

This is one of my favorite seasons. Why? Because we get to eat bushels of our own greens….

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the talent show sponsored by the Latin club at Cambridge Central School. Winners were Cameron Gorman for solo vocal performance, sisters Zoe and Delaney Smith for best musical performance, and the Hubbard Hall Irish Dancers.

Tomorrow night, Monday, is sign-up night for Cub Scouts in Cambridge. All boys in grades 1-5 are eligible. Report to the First Baptist Church from 6:30 to &:30 p.m. There will be a snack.

Saturday October 19 the Cambridge Valley Flying Club will sponsor a “fly in day” at Chapin Field. Many different types of aircraft participate: biplanes, antique “war birds,” ultra-lights and experimental aircraft. There will be food for sale in the hanger and admission is free starting at 9 a.m.

The annual haunting of the Salem Courthouse Community Center takes place right on schedule this year over the next three weekends. The “Fear This” production crew under the direction of Rik Sassa has been making preparations for months. Tours will be given between 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. Please do not feed the werewolves.

Shushan United Presbyterian Church will be holding its annual pork loin supper October 19 starting at 5 p.m. Sit-downs and take-outs are available. Contact Carol Rich or Betty Tucker for more information.

The Greenwich Trailblazers and the Sno-Kats Snowmobile clubs have announced they are merging. They will be holding a barbecue dinner October 12, with music from Happy Days Again DJ, at the Middle Falls Fire Department.

Sadness: the area has lost one of its great bowlers. Ralph Perkins has passed away. Ralph was the only bowler ever to post a perfect score of 300 at Roe’s Bowl, PJ Lanes or Hender’s. He bowled his 300 during suburban league play on a Thursday night sometime in 1976 or 1977. He will certainly be missed.

It’s not too late to take in the fifth annual Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival. On hand are some 120 vendors with demonstrations in sheep herding, wool spinning and shearing. It’s all taking place at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Too bad the weather forecast calls for rain.

And don’t miss the annual garlic festival at the Warrensburg Riverfront Farmer’s Market on Friday, October 11. There will be music and all kinds of garlic dishes to sample between 3 and 6 p.m. on River Street, across from Curtis Lumber in the Mills Historic District.

St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls holds its ever-popular “Cow Plop and Car Show Festival” Sunday, October 13, in the town athletic fields. The “cow plop” is your chance to win $1,000 by purchasing a “deed” to a small square of turf within a designated grid on the field. A cow is turned loose, and if she “plops” on your square, you win the prize.

Finally, Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon cautions that now is the season for colds and flues. High school athletes, she says, can ward off sickness after exercising by drinking plenty of chocolate milk. “All dairy products contain nine essential nutrients that can help strengthen our bodies against fall colds, but chocolate milk provides us not only with these nutrients but an additional boost of protein to keep our muscles strong.”

Along the chocolate theme, the dairy princess this week urges readers to try making chocolate pudding. Combine 1/4 cup corn starch, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt in the top of a double boiler. Slowly whisk in 3 cups milk and place over simmering water, stirring occasionally for 15 or 20 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken. Add 6 ounces coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate and continue stirring 2 to 4 minutes, or until the pudding is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extra. Pour pudding into serving bowls and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Plenty of chocolate pudding is certain to keep those colds and flues at bay.

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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