July 1, 2010

So it's been a little more than a week and I felt a post was past due updating all about the progress of PA Quilt Trails. The past few weeks I have been using my skills for fundraising a chore not necessarily blog post worthy but nevertheless very necessary for this project.

Most often when people talk about living in rural areas they complain that, "there's nothing to do" and "life here is oh so boring". And sometimes it is boring here. So why should you leave the comfort of your home and make central Pennsylvania a "must see" destination the next time you need to take a break from your routine and go somewhere for a few days? I decided I should play "tourist" and visit the area with fresh eyes and see what the area offers.

Today I went to our local farmer's market. Pennsylvania has a multitude of farmer's markets. Realistically you can find one, during growing season, almost any day of the week (with the exception of Sundays). Lewistown has a market on both Thursdays and Saturdays. Though modest in size, today there was a multitude of options from cooked chicken, berries, cut flowers, corn, honey, tomatoes, potatoes, herbs, baked goods including whoopie pies (A PA favorite!), donuts, cookies, pies and breads. Because of Lewistown's proximity to several Amish and Mennonite communities, the vendors are largely from these two groups. Today there was a duo playing soft rock music which lent a party atmosphere to the market.

If you've never been to a farmer's market it is a great way to immerse oneself in local culture while supporting local economies.

Well it took the better part of a week to post a new blog but several days "in the field" attending conferences, meetings and train rides wrapped around a weekend, has delayed my best intentions.

Last week I spent the majority of my work day driving from Lewistown, PA. to Lewisburg, PA. looking for potential quilt sites. It was a wet, rainy day and though I was tempted to postpone this trip for a day or so. However, Pennsylvania's weather can be notoriously rainy and I decided to perservere and tour central Pennsylvania amid the raindrops.

Traveling northeast on 522 to Route 104, my first stop was Shade Mountain Winery in Snyder County. Through the mist, I could see sixty-five acres of grape vines across the road from a 19th century converted barn housing a winery, party room and retail shop. Needing a few minutes to dry off I met the propritors and baby Pete who was visiting grandma and grandpa for the day. Being on the clock I didn't feel a full taste-tasting appropriate but curiousity overcame my sense of restraint and a sample of fabulous elderberry wine was imbibed and a bottle of this deliciuos infusion was purchased to be enjoyed at home, on my porch, star gazing with my dog.(Corny, cliche and true.)

Just heading up the road I turned off to a horse and buggy Menonite dairy, specialing in raw milk and cheese production. This family operation is cooperatively managed by two generations of Menonites. I was given a brief tour of the cheese production room and thrilled to find the facilities immaculate.

The rest of the day was full of discoveries: the beautiful architecture of Lewisburg, A delicious authentic Mexican meal in Selinsgrove and lastly an accidental discovery of a covered bridge in Beaver Springs (near the home of Davy Jones of Monkees fame).