Community : Frost in the pumpkin patch

Marion Soch

Correspondent

(Popple River News) - Frost on the pumpkin on August 25, 2008! Isn't this still supposed to be summer? Monday morning our thermometer read 30.7 degrees. So much for global warming! There was frost on the car, but nothing was damaged in the garden. I surely didn't want the tomato crop lost. And I need the zucchini for zucchini bread and for Mary Murray so she can bake all the zucchini bread she wants.

Speaking of zucchini, our friend from Manitowoc, Carol Shavlik, came for a short visit Saturday afternoon while she was in the Northwoods. We were discussing gardens, especially her son's garden in Manitowoc. They plant a patch of zucchini bigger than our house and wonder why they have so much zucchini, more than they can use at the end of the season. Their friends and neighbors all know where to go if they want some. None of it goes to waste. I plant three hills and have the same results, but I don't have four growing children to feed.

Gerry Noe was up recently and asked if there were any raspberries to be had and if the blackberries were beginning to ripen. He got in on the tail end of the raspberries, but would have to hunt for ripe blackberries at that time.

Paul and Vergil Schultz were also here and brother Ed and wife Arlys from Iron River stopped by to visit Saturday afternoon. They then came by to say, "Hello" to us. Other cabin folks were around this weekend but don't know names, so there was some activity in the area.

We also heard the bear hunter's dogs in the distance, so we know they were training for the up-coming hunting season. I was very surprised to see the bear hunting season open so early this year. I hope some of the bear in our area will be harvested as there are way too many.

I was able to harvest the Lodi apples for applesauce from our tree this week. I found them ripe at the perfect time, but am surprised the deer and bear didn't also!

Fair week is coming up soon, so it is indeed gratifying that the frost didn't damage the gardens, or there would be nothing to display, except preserved items. I know the children love to bring produce for blue ribbons from their gardens. Another highlight of the fair is the Senior Citizens bake sale so one is able to purchase some very tasty items.

Labor Day weekend is upon us, so celebrate the last big vacation weekend of the year and have lots of safe fun.