From the Editor: Katie Green
Fall is my favorite time of year. I absolutely love the crisp, cool mornings and evenings, and seeing the trees turn beautiful colors. In addition, I welcome a slower-paced time of year, where I feel OK about putting soup in the Crock Pot in the morning, chock full of seasonal ingredients from the farmers market. My early fall weekends are typically spent canning tomato juice that will be used to make spaghetti sauce through the winter, and there’s something nostalgic about the smell of the furnace turned on for the first time since winter. But, I’ll be honest, a pumpkin spice latte is where I have to draw the line.
For the third year in a row now, fall in Greene County means Farm to Fork at Thistlethwaite Vineyards in Jefferson. It’s a true local feast set to a soundtrack of local bands, complete with the beautiful backdrop of the Thistlethwaite property. I don’t want to give too much away here, though – turn to my story on page 26 for a full preview.
With farming and eating local performing such a vital role in Greene County, regional editor Mike Jones’ story on the Pennsylvania Livestock Auction on page 14 is a must-read. Folks come from all over to auction off and bid on everything from cows, pigs and goats to eggs. Yes, even eggs. For some families, the auction is a tradition that has spanned multiple generations.
On page 20, you will read the tale of a plant that has spanned generations. Writer C.R. Nelson tells the story of Leigh Shields’ 46-year-old agave plant. You read that right – it’s 46 years. Also called “century plants,” agave, the same plant responsible for bringing us tequila, grows for decades, soaring well above our heads, before it blooms and then dies. Shields’ story of how he came to have the plant and how his life has evolved during his time nurturing it is quite interesting.
Truly, there’s only one downfall (in my opinion) about fall – and that’s that winter follows it. But make no mistake, I will soak up as much of this season as I can!
See you next time,