2009 Heritage Festival

Photos by Word on Main Street contributor
Hope Johnstone

Thank you, Hope, for your gorgeous photos and thorough coverage of the festival!

Fresh Farmer's Market Finds

by Word on Main Street contributor Karyn Elliott

Yesterday we headed down to the Farmer's Market with friends to purchase our weekly vegetables. There seems to be quite a few more vendors appearing as the summer heats up. We were happy to find a farmer with an e-mail notification list. Sign up and she'll send you an e-mail letting you know what she is bringing to market each week. I meant to remember her name, but I was distracted by the beets...and the cucumbers... Regardless, we're on the list!

This week we picked out quite a few vegetables. It's been a fun challenge figuring out how to creatively get them into our meals in such a way that my almost two-year-old will eat them. Last night I stir-fried zucchini, snow peas, green onions, and yellow squash (all from our local Farmer's Market). For color I threw in a few carrots and red peppers found in my fridge. In my before-children life I would have added sauce directly to the vegetables, however, these days I serve the sauce on the side. The boys ate their rice and veggies separately, and my husband and I layered our vegetables over rice and topped it off with some sauce. The sauce is sort of a "by feel" type recipe. I started with soy sauce and added the following until it tasted "right": brown sugar, finely chopped garlic, grated fresh ginger (or powdered), thinly sliced, fresh green onion, and sesame seeds. It's one of our favorite meals.


We also purchased some green tomatoes. I've never made fried green tomatoes before, but I'd watched a friend whip up a batch and was eager to give them try on my own. Tonight I mixed up some egg and milk in one bowl. In the another bowl I mixed equal parts cornmeal and flour before stirring in a little salt and pepper.


I sliced up the tomatoes and dredged them in the egg and flour mixtures. Then I fried them over medium heat in some canola oil until they were crunchy and golden. YUM! They turned out great! Those people out west (where I grew up) don't know what they're missing!


To go along with our dinner of tomatoes and baked chicken I made a salad using the beets we'd purchased at the Farmer's Market. Earlier today I had washed four beets and cut off the greens. Next I drizzled the beets with some olive oil and wrapped them in foil (like a packet) before roasting them in a 425 degrees oven for about 30 minutes. I popped the roasted beets in the fridge to cool them down before peeling them and chopping them into chunks. I added the cooled beets to a salad made of spinach, walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese dressed with some homemade ranch and buttered croutons. Delicious!


We've still got cucumbers and more squash sitting in the fridge. I'm eager to come up with something yummy for tomorrow night's dinner. But for now I'm going to grab a book and a glass of ice water and relax!

Jolly Roger's Sweet Shoppe

I had the pleasure of visiting Jolly Roger's Sweet Shoppe this morning. It's under the new management of Tom Leadabrand and Scott Jones. The "shoppe" (don't you just love that?) has retained its old time candy store charm, while it has been revitalized with some new products. The one I'm most excited about is the gelato. There were numerous flavors, like Turkish Roast, Marscapone Caramel Pistachio, and Tahitian Vanilla. I tried the tart and sweet Blood Orange. Delightful! The gelato costs $2.50 for a small cup or cone, and $4 for a large. It's the perfect treat.

Jolly Roger's contains numerous delights- like truffles, amish jellies, gourmet bagged coffee, kids' books, 28 flavors of taffy, and penny candy. Yes, penny candy! You'll feel just like a kid again. There are also cold beverages available, including italian sodas, and bottled "Switch" soda (the apricot peach sounded particularly good.)
Store hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10-5 and Friday-Saturday 10-8. I can't wait to stroll downtown on a balmy summer evening for some more gelato very soon.

Farmer's Market Bounty

Don't miss out on the gorgeous produce, flowers, eggs, berries, crafts and more at the Farmer's Market every Tuesday and Thursday from 8-1. The Kids' Art Show and Sale at the Farmer's Market is next week, Tuesday, June 30th from 8-1. There will be face painting, snow cones, balloons, and gelato. Kids are invited to come display and sell their artwork. For more information, contact Main Street at 524-4556.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Photo by Hope Johnstone

The Sager Creek Arts Center is currently showing performances of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Janelle Sando and Jason Henson perform the title roles. Word on Main Street contributor Hope Johnstone attended Sunday's performance and said, "This talented cast not only filled their roles as each character but added an appropriate amount of whimsy."

Upcoming performances will take place on June 25, 26, and 27 at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, June 28 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for senior citizens, students and SCAC members. Tickets may be obtained by calling the Arts Center at 524-4000.

Story Time at Books on Broadway

With the arrival of summer, Books on Broadway has expanded their story time offerings- a welcome relief to those with little ones in need of entertainment. Miss Deborah is currently on hiatus, so the summer readings are being conducted by the delightful Miss Marybeth Benton.

Marybeth, a Siloam resident, is on a summer break from George Washington University where she is studying anthropology. In addition to sharing beloved stories with the smaller set, she also works at "Oh So Pretty!" and volunteers at the Dogwood Literacy Council. What a dynamo!

Today's story time selection was Tiny on the Farm, written by Carl Meister and illustrated by Siloam artist Rich Davis. It's a charming story about a little boy enlisting the help of his giant dog, Tiny, to find some kittens on a farm. Marybeth does a wonderful job of engaging her listeners in the story, asking them questions, and explaining the moral of the story at the end. Thanks, Books on Broadway for continuing to be a welcoming haven for book lovers, young and young-at-heart alike.

Story time takes place every Monday at 10:30 am, and the 2nd through last Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm.

Amandromeda

I think that if I could dream up the perfect downtown shopping destination for myself, it would be a store very much like Amandromeda. I remember seeing the tagline on the window front, months before the shop opened... "vintage modern stuff". Swoon! I am a lover of all things mid-century (the clothes, homes, appliances, cars, design, manners, etc.) The shop's motto conjured up wonderful images of furniture and home decor, and Amandromeda does not disappoint.


It isn't merely a store, it's a design space. It's a glimpse of what is possible when you combine interesting and character-filled pieces with a flair for creating artistic spaces. Amanda Orcutt, the owner of the store and a master at interior design, is a delight to chat with and she finds great joy in finding unique pieces and combining them in her store. She said that she only puts pieces in her shop that she would want in her own home, pieces that are exciting to her. Her unique and stylish home, featured here, is incredibly inspiring and Amanada says that its decor is continuously evolving.

In addition to finding great stuff for her shop, Amanda also reupholsters furniture, creating one-of-a-kind items. In the future, she may also start designing her own furniture. She has also recently added a clothing and accessories area to the store. Fun! In addition to staying busy with the shop (both in Siloam and in cyberspace), Amanda also writes a great blog that is full of amazing design and decor inspiration.

Second Saturday Festivities

Photos by Hope Johnstone

Fishing Derby

By "Word on Main Street" Contributor Jenny Anglin

The Fishing Derby was a greatly anticipated event for my husband, Scott, and daughter, Ava, this month. The car was all packed up Friday night...poles were ready and the worms were chilling in my fridge...completely unaware of their future fate!

Scott and Ava arrived bright and early on Saturday morning, hooked their worms and the wait began... waiting, waiting, waiting for a fish to bite, Finally, Ava got her catfish! She proudly held the slimy, slithery fish for photos and all. There is something truly magical about kids and catching fish... especially fish with whiskers, according to Ava.

This annual event is becoming a favorite for our family..and is always a great excuse for a Daddy/Daughter date! Yet another reason we love the charm of small town living!

Fun stuff this week

My son and I attended the Summer Reading Program kickoff at the library this morning, only for me to realize that I'd forgotten my camera. So, I'm not able to show the tremendous turnout, and the great fun everyone had making tie-dyed t-shirts on the lawn. My apologies. The good news is that if you missed out today, they will be hosting another tie-dyed t-shirt making party on Friday morning (June 12) at 11:00 am. The library provides all the supplies, so kids three and up can just show up and ..... "Get Creative." (That's the theme of this summer's reading program.)

Also, Books on Broadway has expanded their story time hours for the summer. They will offer a story time every Monday at 10:30 am, and the second through last Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. What a treat! I also noticed their lovely new website- be sure to check it out.

Last but certainly not least, it's time once again for the Second Saturday Music event. From 5:00-8:00 pm on Saturday the 13th, downtown businesses will be open, and horse and carriage rides and concessions will also be available. At 7:30, there will be a free concert at the Twin Springs Park Gazebo, featuring Cathy Barton and Dave Para. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets (and a small donation if you are so inclined.)

Four Corners Frame & Design

Well, I'm feeling all aglow after the lovely morning I just had downtown. I began my day with a bit of a framing emergency, and I knew just who to call. Holly Bos, the owner of Four Corners Frame & Design, answered my ring with her cheery voice, and said that she could have something framed for me the next day if we used some of her in-stock frames.

I rushed down to the shop, and I was instantly relaxed and uplifted upon entering the attractive space. In addition to framing, Four Corners also specializes in wonderful and unique stationary. For someone who adores thank you notes and the charm of calling cards (just $8.95 for 20), I was enraptured! Holly carries a delightful array of note cards, personalized stationary, kids' thank you fill-in-the-blank cards, printed sticky notes, list pads, and self-inking custom stamps, among other things. She also assists customers in designing invitations. My head was spinning with all of the possibilities!


If that's not amazing enough, she also has a large tub of Thomas the Tank Engine toys to keep little ones busy. My son and I could have spent the entire day there. This wouldn't be too far fetched, as Holly pointed out some cozy leather chairs in the corner. She jokingly calls them the "counseling corner" as clients enjoying staying and chatting in the welcoming environment of the shop.

Holly said that her favorite part of her job is the personalized attention she's able to give her customers. Much of her time is spent one-on-one with customers, helping them design the perfect invitation, or frame a special piece of art. She enjoys hearing their stories, and the history behind the items they bring in to have framed. She has a large selection of frames, and typically it takes about a week and half for framing to be completed. However, as I mentioned before, she can frame something even sooner with what she has in stock.

Holly and her co-worker and friend Jerrie Lu Everett really love the quaintness and camaraderie that comes from working downtown. They said that lately, on these crisp spring mornings, they enjoying stepping outside to sweep the sidewalk and chatting with other downtown business employees.

As I was leaving (reluctantly), Holly mentioned that it was "fish taco" day at the Cafe on Broadway, so I happily strolled over and had a glorious lunch. The lightly seasoned talapia, the whole wheat tortillas, the mango chutney.... pure bliss!

So remember, for all of your frame, stationary and invitation needs, (and lunch tips!) look no further than Four Corners Frame & Design shop.

Holly and Jerrie Lu get ready to work their magic.