If you weren’t there last Saturday, you missed a howling good time, as the LFM held its annual Doggie Day Parade. With our unflappable emcee Jennifer Hoff at the mic, this year went off without a hitch as, from the very smallest to the tallest of allest, the pooches showed off how well they had trained their person. Well done, doggies!
And just to add to the day’s excitement (cue the trumpet) the eagerly awaited Burger Bank cut the ribbon and opened the doors to a waiting, and I suspect hungry, crowd. Welcome to Lansdowne, BB!
Back to this side of the street, where we (well, I ) jitterbugged to the rock ’n roll ruckus going on at the Landing. Even on Doggie Day, Slim and his bee bop buddies are the cat’s meow!
Sighting!!! A few weeks back I made the case that, due to finicky growing requirements, honeydew melons were mostly a no-show at PA produce stands. So imagine my happy dance to see…and snag!!!…one perfectly ripe and, I’m happy to report, perfectly delicious sunny yellow ball at Herrcastle Farms. This is a rare instance when I’m dee-lighted to be wrong.
So, how do you know when a honeydew is at its “Honey, you gotta taste this” best? It’s a secret, but since I like you, listen close. It’s in the skin. Follow me here: pick up that melon and run your fingertips down the side. If it feels cool and slippery and papery smooth, just put it down…you heard me: PUT THE MELON DOWN and fawgheddabowdit. But…if you feel just the tiniest tactile pull against your fingers, sorta like cut velvet?…take that baby home to meet the family! Honey, I dew not kid you…this works.
We are still seeing the last of the peaches…they’ve had a good run in 2019. But the calendar ticks along and apples and grapes are taking up more real estate each week. Apples to apples, there’s a right one for every occasion. Eating or applesauce? Sweet or tart, crisp or just firm? The Google has charts to get you married up.
Grapes have a really short season…so don’t be bashful. They can really dress up a plate of crackers and cheese…I’ll bet Sebastian of Creative Shepherd would be happy to hook you up.
Bonnie’s Wondergardens will be back this week…time to give the garden its Fall facelift. Always something special there.
In the Music Tent: After warming up with appearances elsewhere in the area…the folk acoustics of Fiorenza-Dowlin is finally getting to the best Farmers Market of all…that’s us!
Artist of the Week: Grace Caputo is having a SALE! Buy one of her way cool pieces of O(-) jewelry…and get another at 50% off. That should positively get your blood pumping!
Health & Beauty: Sara Burns is back with Kiss My Soul Naturals. Check out her newest scent combos and skin concoctions.
Of course, everyone is gearing up for Sunday’s (Sept. 22) Arts on the Avenue, so map out your day around all there is to do and see and of course, buy. Come for the art, stay for the food…and family friendly fun.
Also, this is your best chance to snag a “ ‘Downe not ‘Dale” tee. They’ll be goin’ like hotcakes…don’t wait.
Before I go…I haven’t mentioned this very often this year, but please, give a thought and a buck or two to the Food Cupboard donation jar at the Manager’s Tent. This season, with sharp cutbacks being threatened to federal aid and food programs, families with school kids and isolated elderly and disabled are going to find it sharply more difficult to keep the cupboard stocked. You should know that I use the money collected to buy full cases of high-demand foodstuffs like soups, pasta, peanut butter and jelly, and cereals to restock the shelves at the church. It really does take a village.
See you around ‘Downe!
Terry Baraldi