Pie judging draws intense interest
Music from Salem sold out its annual gala Friday–130 seats booked. Most of those actually showed for the event, held on the grounds of a bucolic farm tucked away in Argyle. The theme was 50s, which could only mean one thing: lots of Jello molds on the dinner buffet and a string ensemble playing Stardust. There was plenty of turkey and ham, wine and later dancing. But the big hit of the evening seemed to be the pie contest.
Get a load of all those pies
For some reason, pies draw a crowd even when they’re just to look at. A team of judges sampled from each. I managed to get a sneak preview as the pies were being assembled on the back porch of the main house. Finally, plates with individual slices began to arrive in the eating area. I grabbed the biggest piece of blueberry pie I could find.
Delicious….
A small disaster struck the Loaves and Fishes Food Ministry in Cambridge recently. Apparently unrelated to the monster thunderstorm that swept through the area, a pipe burst at the facility, sending water pouring through the kitchen and dining facilities. Fire and police personnel, as well as neighbors and other volunteers rushed to the rescue. All of the ministry’s food had to be moved–including thousands of pounds of canned goods, fresh produce and frozen meats.
“They worked tirelessly in the midst of all the heat and humidity. I can tell you how thankful we are for their quick response and steadfast work,” said Jim Bartholomew, executive director of Loaves and Fishes.
The pantry will continue to function out of the nearby fellowship hall. The Friday lunch program also will continue and donations are appreciated.
Meanwhile, that same storm and a resulting “brown out” of the electrical grid in the area knocked out two refrigerator cases at the Cambridge Food Co-op. Volunteers were called in to inventory the damage and find a place to store the perishables for an insurance assessment. Shoppers later were disappointed to find that many of their favorite soft cheeses, eggs, salamis and other goods were temporarily not available.
The Addirondack Grazers Cooperative is celebrating its first year in business and helping 15 livestock farms bring their meat to market. With help from its sales staff and the local extension service, the cooperative has been responsible for 100 animals from local pastures being processed into fresh and frozen meat products. Most of that has found its way south to markets in New York City.
If it’s summer, there must be a county fair happening somewhere. In fact, the Saratoga County Fair kicks off this Thursday at the fair grounds in Ballston Spa and is scheduled to run through Sunday, July 19
There’s an “evening of tango” slated for Wednesday in Bolton Landing. The event features Lating Grammy Award-winning bandoneon player Raul Juarena.
Also on Wednesday, the Salem Astronomers will meat at 7 p.m. at the Salem Courthouse Community Center. New members are welcome.
A Civil War demonstration at the Knickerbocker Mansion in Schaghticoke features an “authentic Civil War dinner” July 20 and 21. On the menu: your choice of frecassee of chicken, pork pie or beef and onions. Sides include cabbage salad, boiled potatoes, mixed vegetables and corn bread or sour dough rolls.
The All Saints Youth Ministry in Hoosick will be hosting an ice cream social Friday, July 12, at All Saints Church. Besides the ice cream, there will also be lawn games and an opportunity to meet Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon.
Also the Salem Rotary Club hosts its annual ice cream social July 25 on the grounds of the Georgi Museum in Shushan, with music by the Washington County Band.
The Greenwich Youth Center is looking for youth in grades 6-12 interested in joining a rock band. Initial dates for meetings are July 19 and 22, but be prepared for further rehearsals and recording sessions. Parents are welcome to attend, but are not required.
Finally, Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon recently threw out the first pitch at a Valley Cats baseball game. “I was quite relieved when [the ball] made it to home plate.” McMahon handed out “Got Milk?” stickers throughout the evening.
This week the dairy princess urges readers to try a spinach and artichoke dip made with canned artichoke hears, frozen spinach, plain or Greek yogurt, shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped green onion, minced garlic and chopped red pepper. Mix all of the ingredients except the red pepper and bake at 350 degrees in a casserole in a 350-degree oven until heated through. Then sprinkle the red pepper on top.
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.