Welcome To Washington, NC

Strawberries

Have you ever tasted one from the field?  It tastes like liquid sunshine.  If you haven't gotten yours this year, I hate to tell you, but you're too late.  There were some blossoms and some baby berries when I picked on May 29th, but call before you go!  The blackberries should be ready the third week in June.

The consensus this year was that Southside's berries were better than Briley's.  It was the opposite conclusion last year.  Many say that Black's are the best, across from the community college.  You'll have to wait until the end of April to decide for yourself.

It is definitely delightful to pick strawberries at Southside Strawberry Farm.  The beds are raised and covered with plastic.  The paths are wide enough to sit in, and are covered with straw.  You can stay clean and still work in the field.  Well, almost clean.  You can't pick without eating and they're so juicy it's hard not to get covered in strawberry juice.  You are welcome to eat as many berries as you want while you pick, one of the benefits of going to pick berries!

So, what to do with all those berries?  First, share them with the neighbors.  They will never taste as good as they do the day they are picked.  They can be frozen, just spread them out flat and freeze them before you put them in a bag.  You can also clean them and cut them up and mix them with sugar and then freeze them. 

They will keep in the refrigerator for a few days.  Try them tossed with powdered sugar and immersed in sour cream.  Puree them and add to plain yogurt.  Or just eat them standing over the sink until your tummy hurts.   They're great in a salad with balsamic vinaigrette.  Perfect topping for cereal.  Dip them in melted chocolate, or drop them into a glass of champagne.  Enjoy them and pig out now, it will be 10 months before we get to do this again.  Berries that have travelled on a truck will never be acceptable after you've eaten local berries!

I'm wanting a strawberry pie.  Not cold berries with glaze or jello, but like an apple pie, baked with a lattice crust.  I toss the berries with sugar and cornstarch and a little cinnamon, wait till they juice, pour into a crust and bake.  Wonderful with vanilla ice cream, serious perfection with homemade strawberry ice cream.  (Put the berries in almost at the end so they don't freeze.)

Strawberry lemonade is one of my favorites, one lemon to a handful of berries.  Add sweetener and dilute with water.  I use a milkshake maker, a blender works too.  If you're going to use a knife, cut the berries over the glass so you don't lose the juice.

Preserving berries, jelly or jam, takes a lot of berries and a lot of work.  You'll have to buy jars, there are recipes inside.  You'll need Certo or fruit pectin to make sure that it gels.  Sugar is used as a preservative, you can use a little less than the recipe calls for, but not too much less.

I've got all the equipment but I let others make the preserves.  I really don't have the space to sterilize the jars and lids.  If you're going to make one jar, you might as well make a dozen.  Then you have to clean and cut all that fruit.  It takes much more fruit than you would think.  $5 for a jar of jam seems cheap once you've attempted making your own.  I wound up with some stewed berries that were wonderful on pancakes.  I thought they would come out more like berries in syrup, but the berries were full of water, and though I cooked them forever, the liquid never thickened.

Expired June 12, 2008

Hot, Humid, Smoky

We're having a heat wave!  Actually, these are normal summer temperatures, they've just arrived a little early.  It's the smoke you've got to be concerned about.  The actual fires are about 40 miles away.  Here in the city of Washington, NC we have little to worry about from the flames from this fire in Hyde, Washington and Tyrell counties, it's the smoke we have to worry about.  They are warning that the smoke contains carbon monoxide and other toxins.  If you smell smoke, go inside.  If you smell smoke inside, go elsewhere. 

Lightning started this fire which has burned over 25,000 acres.  The weather is making it difficult to put out the flames.  The other problem is, a fire in peat can burn underground for a long time.  You don't want to go to Pocosin Lakes Wildlife refuge right now.  Don't worry about the birds that overwinter there, they have already left.

Please take the normal precautions for the heat.  Drink plenty of water, bring the pets inside, enjoy the air conditioning.  Get your errands done early in the day.  Do not leave children, pets, your spouse or mother-in-law in the car.  Wear loose light colored clothing and powder liberally.  Sunscreen is not optional.  Hang in there, the low 92 degrees for high temps Wednesday will feel cool by comparison.  This is the trade off for the lack of blizzards. 

Expired June 13, 2008

Smoke Update:

The fires in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge have now been burning for 12 days.  Our heartfelt gratitude to those on the front lines!!!  Many thanks!!!  I can't imagine being out there in the smoke and the heat.  It's bad enough inside the house.  The smell is horrible, my eyes are burning, my stomach is upset and my throat is sore.  And I'm inside in the air conditioning.  They've been outside in temperatures over 100 degrees, plus the heat from the fire.  The fire has burned over 42,000 acres, or 63 square miles.  Fire fighting efforts cost $250,000 per day.  Most of the fire is underground, according to State Senator Marc Basnight's office.  It won't be extinguished without substantial rainfall.

The smoke has reached Raleigh, our elected officials assure me that they are doing all that can be done to control the fires, contrary to the TV news report last night that said that they didn't have enough money to do anything beyond protecting persons and property.  The Governor has declared a state of emergency, our Congressmen and Senator Dole are doing what they can do.  If you're upset about conditions, please call the Governor's office, toll free 800-662-7952.  If you need help, Senator Basnight's office number is 919-733-6854.

The fires are expected to continue for weeks, the smoke will go wherever the wind takes it.  Your homeowners insurance may cover smoke damage that doesn't go away after the smoke is gone, check with your insurance agent to see if you are covered. 

Run fans in the house to blow the smoke out, but keep windows and doors sealed.  Don't forget to seal any vents or chimneys.  Stay inside if the smoke is bad.  You should not be exercising outdoors until the smoke is gone.

Summer Festival is expected to proceed as scheduled, though the triathalon has been cancelled.  The wind is supposed to change Saturday and should clear the smoke from here for a few days, but it will just go someplace else.  And then it will be back.

Expired June 14, 2008:

Washington NC Summer Festival Update:  The fireworks have been cancelled for tonight, Friday June 13th.  The Festival will close early at 9pm tonight because of the smoke.

Summer Festival time is here!  Friday, June 13th, and Saturday, June 14th.   This is the biggest party of the year in Washington, NC, sponsored by the Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and the many civic minded businesses in our community. 

The fun starts at 4pm on Friday with food, arts and crafts, a fossil search, and rides for the kids on Stewart Parkway, a boat show on Main Street, and a showing of the classic three hour movie "My Fair Lady" at the Turnage Theater.  If you want to get a good parking spot and avoid the heat of the day, this is the thing to do!   (Tickets are $7 and may be purchased through their website.)  The movie should be over about the time the music starts. 

Friday night at dark, between 9:15 and 9:30, the fireworks will start.  Don't be late, they won't last long. 

Parking is available in the lots off 2nd and 3rd Streets.  Don't expect to be able to drive south of 2nd street without handicap tags.  Handicap parking will be available in the Wachovia lot on Market Street after 5:30 on Friday and all day Saturday.  If you're headed for the music, you might want to park closer to Respess Street, the main stage will be at the corner of Respess and Stewart Parkway.  You may want to consider how you will leave when you choose your parking spot.  You can get stuck heading west on 2nd Street when you want to go east, or stuck trying to make a left turn through a solid line of traffic.

Feel free to bring a chair to the concerts Friday and Saturday nights.  Friday night, 7-10pm, with a break for the fireworks, is the Extraordinaires.  Saturday, The Craig Woolard Band starts at 6:30 and continues until at least 10pm.  Craig is a Washington, NC native whose band was called "The Embers" for many years.   They play what's called "beach music" here, but in New York it was called Rhythm & Blues.  Expect much dancing, they call it "shagging", it's similar to swing.  The young folks will scream up front, the older ones will sit in the back, the dancers will dance in between, and a grand time will be had by all!

In addition to the fun on Stewart Parkway, during the day on Saturday there will be sidwalk sales everywhere; Main Street, Wal-Mart, and the mall where Piggly Wiggly is on 15th Street.  Saturday Market will be open downtown at the corner of Gladden and Main Streets.

I think of Summer Festival as Funnel Cakes and Italian Sausage sandwiches and gyros and other disgustingly wonderful treats.  If you want a beer with that sandwich, you'll have to take your sandwich home, no alcohol is allowed at this event.

Dogs, or pets of any type, are not allowed at Summer Festival.  They must stay at home, it will be too hot for them to wait in the car.

This is a don't miss event!  See you there!

For more information, visit the Chamber of Commerce website, or call 252-946-9168.

Expired June 14, 2008

Smoke update, update

The smoke is clearing just in time for the start of Summer Festival.  It still smells here, but I'm sure it's nicer on the waterfront.  The smells of fair food should overpower the stench of the fires.  The fireworks have been cancelled, as has tomorrow's triathalon. 

When the wind comes back from the east and northeast  the smoke will return.  Enjoy the south and southwesterly breezes while they're here!