News from Up North
February 16th, 2014 · No Comments · Posted in News from Up North
The buzz around Cambridge is definitely the big nor’easter that passed through here in the night Thursday, leaving a foot of new snow on the ground, making roads impassable and closing schools a day early for the winter break. We’ve got nearly 17 inches in our front yard, and I spent the better part of Saturday digging out around the gates to our main paddock so I can feed and water our animals.
People keep mentioning the six feet of snow that fell here three years ago. That would over-top our fences. I wonder what we would do then.
Meanwhile, the theme for the week coming is definitely food. Great meals seem to be breaking out all over in an attempt to beat those winter blues. For instance, the Knights of Columbus are throwing a “cabin fever party” at St. Patrick’s Church on Friday the 21st, featuring a DJ, free snacks and food and drink for sale. Suggested donation is $7 for the event from 7 to 10 p.m.
First Baptist Church in Cambridge is hosting a free community lunch Saturday the 22nd with homemade meatloaf, baked potato, green bean casserole and dessert provided by Girl Scout Troup 307. All are welcome from noon to 1 p.m.
St. Luke’s Church holds a “summer-style cookout” from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday featuring hamburgers, hot dogs and other summer fare. Suggested donation is $8 for adults and $4 for children.
The United Methodist Church in Shushan holds a free lunch starting at noon February 27 to benefit the local fuel fund. Donations are greatly appreciated. That evening from 5 to 7, the Salem Rotary Club presents a dinner to benefit the fuel fund at the First Presbyterian Church in Salem. The meal features meats and produce from local farms.
And on three separate weekends in late February and March, several families will be serving “gourmet” meals in their homes in support of the Salem Courthouse Community Center. Each dinner–including appetizers, salad, entrée and dessert–starts at 6 p.m. and can accommodate six to eight guests. Cost is $50 per person.Call 518 854-7053 to make reservations.
Don’t miss “The Real Magic of Mushrooms” today Hubbard Hall’s Freight Depot Theater in Cambridge. The 4 p.m. program is presented by Sue Van Hook, longtime biology and natural sciences instructor at Skidmore College, who believes in the power of fungi to heal the planet.
Pember Library and Museum in Granville invites children to meet Muffin, a rare albino chinchilla, from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The museum also will hold an “owl walk” mainly for children at the Hebron Nature Center Feb. 26. Participants will listen to different owl calls and touch owl wings and talons from the museum’s display.
Beginning knitters are urged to attend a “knitting night” at Battenkill Books in Cambridge on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bring yarn–the bulkier the better–and size 10 needles.
You wouldn’t know it looking out the window, but gardening season is coming on fast. The Cambridge Community Garden holds an information session Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Beacon Feed Studio at 6 p.m. Anyone interested in gardening is invited to attend.
And it’s almost time for maple house weekends, a Washington County tradition. Seventeen area producers will be offering woodlot tours, tastings and even free breakfasts for the weekends of March 22-23 and March 29-30. Contact the Upper Hudson Maple Producers Association for more info, or go here.
Finally, Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon reports that 5,000 Chobani yogurt containers destined for U.S. athletes from Upstate New York were denied access to Russia because of security concerns. “Greek yogurt is known to possess amazing health properties,” the dairy princess says. She laments that “despite its huge sponsorship of the Olympics, outstanding health benefits for athletes and ensured policy of proper, safe and healthy manufacturing, Russia still continues to deny the yogurt shipments access into Sochi.”
Perhaps that explains the poor performance by some of the most heralded U.S. athletes at the winter games. But never mind. The dairy princess suggests making “Greek yogurt stuffed French toast.” To prepare, make a slit in thick slices of French bread and stuff with yogurt, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a layer of strawberries. Dip these in a mix of eggs and milk seasoned with salt, then coat with Honey Bunches of Oats Peach Raspberry Fruit Blend cereal. Cook the toasts in a heavy, greased skillet and serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, extra strawberries and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
Bon appetit!
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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