Things and Stuff: 07/04/02

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

Enjoying last year's raspberry festival at Pomme de Terre Farm.

RASPBERRY...

lovers will have an opportunity to display their affections again this year at Pomme de Terre Organic Farm in Jackson County when the farm opens its doors to the public for two days of demonstrations, picking and, of course, eating everyone's favorite summer fruit. Tours of the farm and a chance to see how raspberries and blackberries are grown in the mountains will be coupled with a you-pick harvest for a day of "hands-on" learning and fun. Potted plants will also be available for those wanting to start their own raspberry patch. John Beckman, Pomme de Terre Farm manager, is promoting summer berries as a way for farmers to add to their incomes and provide a great chance to get families onto the farm for a day of fun and fresh air.

"Berry crops can be a good addition for small local farms," Beckman said. "There is relatively little cost in getting berries established, not a lot of maintenance after late winter pruning, and just about everybody loves them."

Last year more than 90 people came out for the first "Raspberry-Fest" and encouraged everyone at the farm to make it a regular event. Pomme de Terre Organic Farm is part of the Unahwi Ridge eco-development and will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7. It is located at the top of Bettys Creek Road off U.S. 441, 6 miles south of Dillsboro. Cost is $5 per person, and children under 9 are free. For information and directions, visit www.unahwiridge.com.

MARY STILES...

of Sylva is this year's first winner in our "Have Dinner On Us" contest. She won a $25 gift certificate to Bella Roma. See our dining guide on pages 6 and 7C of this issue to find out how to enter and win.

GREENHOUSE ...

Sushi Bar and Grille will open tonight (Thursday) in the old McGuire home (former Alan's on Main location). Owners Cody and Christy Stokes have been commended by the Smoke Free Students of Jackson County for implementing a smoke-free policy at their restaurant.

BROAD STREET ...

Fish Camp will celebrate its first anniversary Saturday, July 6, with drawings, prizes and a spare rib dinner.

FORMER JACKSON COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD...

Captain Bill Pettigrew has received a kidney transplant and is recovering at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Pettigrew's daughter Dot said the prayers and support of everyone in Sylva have meant a lot to her father.

WOULD YOU...

like to win four tickets on the Great Smoky Mountain Dinner Train? You could be the lucky winner and help a good cause at the same time. Raffle tickets are being sold by the Western North Carolina Dystonia Support Group, and all proceeds go directly to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. Dystonia is not a familiar word to most of us, but it refers to a neurological disorder that is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. It is the third most common movement disorder after Parkinson's disease and Tremor. The local contact person is Evelyn Rigdon. For information, call her at 586-4336. The drawing will be held Aug. 1. Tickets awarded may be used through May 2003.

LOCAL FOOD GUIDE PUBLISHED...

Where can you find locally grown food? Many people want to buy locally grown food but don't know where to look. The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project has published the "Buy Appalachian Local Food Guide," a guide to fresh, locally-grown foods from the mountains of Western North Carolina. This free guide can be picked up at area businesses that support local agriculture and on the web at www.BuyAppalachian.org.

The 40-page guide includes listings of local farms, community supported agriculture, tailgate markets, restaurants, grocers and other businesses that sell or process local farm products. "This is an important resource for consumers that value local food - now they have a guide," said Charlie Jackson, projects coordinator for ASAP. "The great thing about eating locally grown food is that, not only do you get to Śeat your landscape' by making sure the food you eat keeps our local farms viable, you get the freshest, most nutritious, and best tasting food available."