Cedar Waxeing

 

 

 

This past week my friend and fellow nature photographer buff, Steve, has been finding hoards of Cedar Waxwings at Amann/Amick Reservoirs.

 

I have not been so lucky.

 

 

Bummer :(

 

 

 

The first time that I saw Cedar Waxwings was during a home invasion of my Hawthorn tree, which is right outside the window where I work.

 

 

Below is part of what I wrote about the experience for the Galion Inquirer. Stay tuned to this blog for chapter 2 for more info on Cedar Waxwings and another friend's experience with these awesome birds :)

 

Marcheta *waxing ornithological

 

 

"Cedar Waxwings (bombycilla cedrorum) are lovely to watch. They sport black masks that I am sure are the envy of area raccoons and spiked crests that resemble those of cardinals. With wings smooth as doves’, these birds are a color mix of soft brown, gray, and lemon yellow, with bright red patches on their wing tips. Being extremely social, they are usually found in large numbers. 

I first noticed cedar waxwings twelve years ago while I was working in my home office. It was early March and suddenly from the corner of my eye I saw a huge flock of birds land in the Hawthorn tree that is close to a window. Since this room is on the second story, my window is at eye-level with the tree’s canopy. 

 

 The tree is so close to the house that I felt that if I opened the window, I could reach out and touch the birds. Those masked marauders were feasting on the Hawthorn berries like nothing I had ever seen. I stood in awe for the half hour that it took the birds to completely strip the tree, which is the pride and joy of my winter landscape. 

 

 I didn’t know what kind of birds those were, nor did I understand what had just happened. Lucky for me, Jim knew. He identified them as cedar waxwings and explained that the bright red berries attracted the huge congregation.

 

 Having depleted our tree, they were off to strip other trees and bushes. I was miffed that my tree was left barren, but the memory of the exhilarating experience of watching the birds is something that will stay with me for my lifetime."

 



Peachy Keen

I have been up to my elbows in peaches today. To start my kitchen session, I made a peach crisp. 

To make the crisp, I put the slices in a square baking dish, drizzled honey over the peaches, and topped with the same topping that I use for apple crisps.

While it was in the oven, I continued to peel and slice peaches for other uses. After the crisp came out of the oven I had errands to tend to and a small amount of work for  the Galion Inquirer, so the sliced peaches got shoved into the fridge...but not for long. Those peaches are soon to be turned into peach/pear salsa and peach butter.

****True Confession****

I've never made peach butter, but decided to make it this year because I think it is healthier than jam, which uses a TON of sugar. I looked several recipes up online and, once again, after understanding the method and ingredients, decided to make my own recipe.

Most recipes say to cook the peaches and then run through a sieve to get that nice, smooth texture. However, my NutriBullet blender was right at eye-level when I was peeling the peaches, and an idea crept into my brain: why not run the peach slices through the blender, then add sweetener and spices? Sounds a WHOLE lot easier to me...what do you think? (check the "agree" box).

So that is what I am off to do as soon as this blog blab gets published.

My plan: puree the peaches in the NutriBullet, heat the puree on the stove, add honey and cinnamon. 

Batta Boom....DONE!


*S*W*E*E*T*

Marcheta *off I go, into the wild peachy yonder

Flooded

This week I've been flooded in more ways than one. First by torrential rain and then with ideas on how to increase market sales. Here's what went on....

The July 9th flood has kept me busy, not only at our place but also by taking pictures and writing a story about it for the Galion Inquirer. The timing of such things is never good, but it made this week especially challenging for me because our Lodi and Yellow Transparent apples are ready to harvest. I set up at two farmers markets; NorthSide Farmers Market in Galion and Lil' Farmers Market in Bucyrus.

Above is one of 13 pictures that I tool for the paper. It was taken this morning, 3 days after the flood. You can see that the waters cut a river through a field that ran from one road, on the north, clear to the next road south. During the highest water level, the water crossed the road and continued on through the next field.

For tomorrow's market in Bucyrus, I baked 8 pot-pie sized apple crisps. This is a test to see if people will buy them, and how many I should plan on making if they do. I have mixed feelings about it; on the one hand, it would be great to have people love my food enough to buy it and will increase my market sales (of which I am planning ways to double the amount that we sold last year..no small feat for sure!); on the other hand, peeling that many apples is very time consuming and tiresome. If the idea works out, I will definitely have to adjust my time management in order to get everything done that needs taken care of before a market. But, as they say..."nothing ventured, nothing gained". I won't know if I'll be bringing crisps home with me or if the crowd will gobble them up. Either way, tomorrow is going to be an interesting day. And at least we can now safely drive around in our county again.

Marcheta *flood gates open and going with the flow

40 Days and 40 Nights....

At least, that is the way that it feels around here. Another torrential storm hit last night. Unlike the other storms that blew through, this one was too winded out to move very fast. This meant that it hung over us for what seemed like forever, pitching out a lightening strike or two once in a while just to remind us who is boss.

I had planned to spend the morning getting apples ready for today's farmer's market. Instead, I spent it in town taking pictures and talking to people for the Galion Inquirer. By the time I arrived on different scenes, danger had passed but there was still plenty of high water and interesting things to observe and take pictures of. For instance, water was bubbling out of manholes, reminding us that there is an underground water system as well as the visible creeks and rivers.

The market does not start until 4 p.m., so I still have plenty of time to prepare for it. I am hoping that the new onslaught of rain predicted will hold off until after the market. Market growers have been working hard, and the public is more than ready to be eating fresh and local.

Marcheta *fingers crossed

Do the Math....

 Commitment + Community Support = Healthy Smiles :)

 

 

 

NorthSide Farmers Market began mid-season in 2010 with about eight vendors. Galion K.F.C. owners Jan Bilsing and Joe Campbell were kind enough to let vendors set up in the large lawn in front of their store. The Galion Inquirer and GalionLive media were also extremely supportive by bringing attention to the market, which is one of the reasons that NorthSide became a hit with area consumers.

The picture above  was taken during one of the very first markets. In it, one of the vendor's daughter (Audry, on left) and her friend advertise the market to passersby.

From that humble beginning...an idea planted by Toni (a full-time country woman) and Dale Norwood, carried by me to my friends at K.F.C. and watered with media attention, has grown into a successful market.

Farmers markets are more than just vendors hawking their wares. They provide a sense of community, build trust between grower and consumer, and are educational. When you shop at a farmers market, you're gonna see a lot of smiles!

The 2013 season is about to begin. These past years, Toni and Dale have worked hard, donating their time to build NorthSide into the success that it is today. Now a new chapter begins. The market has tripled in size, which is wonderful but brings with it a whole new ballgame.

Mostly because of insurance issues for K.F.C., Jan and Joe have decided to shoulder the management side of the market business. This frees up the Norwoods to do what they do best, working their own business at Springwood Valley Farm where they grow heirloom vegetables and herb plants, and Toni's mission to educate the public about GMO foods and healthy eating.

Our community is fortunate to have people like the Norwoods, who make things happen instead of sitting around wishing that something would happen.

Other examples of individuals helping to improve our community are the founders of Galion Community Theatre, Inc. Like NorthSide Farmers Market, our community theatre was created by people who saw a need for a theatre and made it happen. The first productions were held in schools and local lodges. Now, 20 years later, Galion is blessed with a state-of-the-art theatre. Better yet, this theatre is the renovated movie theatre that was vacant and falling apart. Not only did the founders of G.C.T. create a venue for local talent, they also saved a building from becoming a victim of urban decay.

Both of these examples show that a community consists of individuals who have the power to make the standard of living that they want. We all have that power. Isn't it wonderful?

What ideas do you have? Are you brave enough to make them happen?

Marcheta *...just sayin'....

Sweet Harvest Preview

Sue Nelson is pictured filling maple syrup bottles after a long day of boiling down sugar water with her husband, Bob. I had the good fortune to hang out with the Nelson's during the afternoon of their first boil-off to interview them for a feature story for the Galion Inquirer. That story with five full color pictures is in today's edition. The story is not available online, but never fear: I plan to slice the story into smaller, blog-sized bits and post it as series here on OCJ beginning tomorrow Monday (this is an edit, I decided to post about the Lutheran Memorial Camp's maple syrup festival today instead of beginning the series about Sue).

Today is a much needed Out-and-About day after mostly being inside for the past week. Our destination is not clear, we may go to Burton, Ohio for their maple syrup festival, or we may go to a few nature spots to check on spring migration.

So, stay tuned to this blog for Sue's profile. You will be amazed at how much work goes into making pure maple syrup!

Marcheta *footloose and fancy free for a day (!)

Country Woman Profile: Denise Corney

Denise photographing me photographing her....LOL!

 Denise Corney is a woman of many talents. Artist, Designer, Caregiver, Gardener, Candy Maker, Market Vendor, Photographer, Set Painter, and Baker are the main hats that she wears. Isn't that amazing?


Trudy Kempf is today's guest blogger. This is the article that she wrote about Denise Corney for Galion Historical Society's newsletter. Trudy's article also was published in the Galion Inquirer. Thank you, Trudy, for sharing your writing skills with the readers of OCJ :)

Trudy says " It was such an honor for me to interview Denise; highlighting someone who is so talented and truly humble. I am glad to see her spotlight continuing to get attention." What a great tribute to her (and my) friend!

Although Denise now lives in town, she continues her farm-girl roots by helping her brother Terry, who farms the family land. Denise can be found at area farmers markets selling  homemade candy and "Corney Corn"...which includes several varieties of sweet corn raised by Terry.

Marcheta *awestruck

Volunteer Spotlight

January 2013

If you have toured Brownella Cottage, at some point you may have pondered who is responsible for keeping the beautiful stately home clean. Denise Corney, the January Volunteer Spotlight recipient is also the woman who carefully dusts, vacuums and otherwise keeps the home immaculate. Born in Marion, Ohio Denise, the fourth of six children; grew up on the Corney family farm located on Route 100.

After graduating from Colonel Crawford High School, Denise worked for 25 years starting as a merchandiser with Roundy’s; a health and beauty aids retailer and became a sales representative servicing 25 grocery stores in the Ohio and Pennsylvania region. When the company closed the Ohio division, it moved operations from Van Wert to Wisconsin leaving Denise without a job and contemplating a career change. For a little over 5 years she worked as a health care professional with Magnolia Terrace caring for the residents while also taking over the cleaning responsibilities for Brownella Cottage. Currently Denise continues to care for Bishop Brown’s home and has started her 3^rd year with Hydranamics, a division of Carter Machine, Co.

Decorating Brownella Cottage for Christmas was a natural progression for Denise since she not only knows every nook and cranny of the beautiful home; she also has a deep love for the structure. Denise was one of a small group of very talented women, who for the last two years have given their time and creativity to transforming Brownella Cottage for the Christmas season. It’s not uncommon to see Denise showing great care in nurturing the flower beds around the home as well. In preparation of the August membership drive and open house, Denise shared her love of gardening through helping to plant an herb garden on the grounds. Her eye for detail and her understated style speaks not only to her creative talent but also to her personality. She may appear to be quiet and unassuming but she is very attune to her environment and takes in the most subtle of moments.

Although Denise is a transplant to Galion, she has made her mark within the community with her skill at expressing herself through her art. She has wonderful memories from the many years she was active with the Galion Community Theater building and painting sets. Creating realistic looking props from cardboard was a challenge she enjoyed and was so skilled at that she gained the reputation for being the ‘cardboard queen.’

Denise is a doer and isn’t one to sit idle. Her preference is to be outdoors and if at all possible; with her hands working the earth. She is a farmer at heart and has a wealth of knowledge that flows from her so naturally that it leaves you spellbound even when she is describing the physical size and shape differences between an unhusked ear of bi-color corn and an unhusked ear of yellow corn. When she is unable to be out in the sunshine, she can be found gaining knowledge on any number of topics of interest through reading, visiting with elderly friends, or working on one of her many creative outlets. Whether she is creating furniture out of various scraps of wood and ornate metal cornice pieces, painting beautiful images or snapping photographs; Denise exudes a level of artistry that makes you wonder how her eyes view the world. However, if any one piece of her artwork expresses what she sees, it may be the serenity captured in the mural of the risen Christ on the basement wall of Peace Lutheran Church. It is obvious that Denise not only sees beauty in our world but she also creates beauty for others to enjoy.

Thank you, Denise!

The Galion Historical Society

recognizes, appreciates, and thanks you for your volunteer efforts!