Mining Update

I've just received some information on the September 30th rally.  The event is being billed as a "Hootenanny and Camp Out".  It will be in the Penokee Hills September 30 - October 2, 2011.  It is an alcohol and drug free event.  For more details, go to savethewatersedge.com.  If you need even more information, you can email pheducationproject@gmail.com or savethewatersedge@gmail.com.  If you would like to volunteer, contact pheducationproject@gmail.com.

There will also be a presentation about the proposed Penokee mining project and (1) how it would affect the Northwood's flora, fauna, public health, and economic future; and, (2) what YOU can do to raise awareness of it.  This presentation will be held this coming Monday, September 19, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Portage County Library, 1001 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI.  The presenter will be Frank Koehn.  Here is a link to an article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that will give you an idea of what the Northwoods faces with this mine:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/124929144.html. 

Personally, I am all for progress and certainly welcome jobs coming into the area, but I am NOT willing to sell my soul or sacrifice our splendid natural resources just for money.  Once Wisconsin's natural resources are gone, they are gone forever.  No amount of worthless dollars or paper promises is worth the loss!

Something Wicked This Way Comes

One night a couple of years ago there was a meeting up in Glidden "informing" property owners about mineral rights and mining. My sister and I went to this meeting.  While there, as a former legal secretary, my "critical listening" antennae started buzzing -- something was up.  Somebody, somewhere in the mining industry was discretely sniffing for information.  Nothing overt happened that I could detect, and I relegated the event to the remote-but-not-forgotten memory section of my brain because my antennae aren't often wrong about such things. 

Now, guess what I've just learned?  The illustrious corporate whores in the Scott Walker administration are working hard to undermine Wisconsin's strong protective mining laws (look up LRB-2035 and be on the look out for similar legislation to be proposed) and allow Gogebic Taconite LLC (of Cline Resources Group out of millionaire Christopher Cline -- BTW coincidentally(?!) another campaign contributor (from West Virginia) of Governor Scott Walker [http://www.wisdc.org/index.php?filter=+Search+&from=2010-09-24&to=--&contributor_name=Cline&name=Walker%2C+Scott&interest=Natural+Resources&module=wisdc.websiteforms&cmd=searchadvanced]) to mine iron ore in the pristine Gogebic-Penokee Range of northern Wisconsin with little to no regard for environment or citizenry.  So what's the big deal, you ask?  Well, go to savethewatersedge.com/ and check out the information there to find out.  There is supposed to be a rally on September 30th at Copper Falls State Park about this, but I don't have any other information regarding the rally.  While you're at it, think about joining former Senator Russ Feingold's Progressives United that is trying to get the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision overturned that will help prevent outside interests from interfering in political elections. 

This is just one more reason to RECALL SCOTT WALKER and get rid of his cronies.  Does something wicked this way come?  Yeah -- if we let it. 

Saturday Market

Proud to say I chipped in to have this sign made for our market

Saturday started out rainy and chilly.  I was tempted to turn the car around and come home while Lara and I headed toward Phillips because the rain was coming down so hard, but I took a chance that the rain would stop, and it did shortly after we reached the farmers market.  I was surprised at the number of customers that showed up; usually when the weather is off so are the customers.  I suppose the good numbers were because of visitors and the long Labor Day holiday weekend.

Marie, a local caterer and long time local food supporter, had a tent next to us and cooked samples of the everybody's produce.  The air smelled soooo good!  She bought some of our Red Cloud potatoes and made "Loaded Potatoes" (steamed potato split and filled with your choice of chicken or pulled port, steamed veggies, and topped with dollops of sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese).  Lara and I bought one and was it ever good.  Talk about healthy eating!

Marie and her tent

We sold another bushel of corn and close to 30 pounds of potatoes.  Lara and I were very pleased when a man came to our booth and told us he thought we had the best tasting food at the market!  That really made my day.  My produce may not be the biggest or prettiest or largest quantity, but I don't use commercial fertilizers and I slug through the growing season with only hand tools and my trusty BCS 722 walking tractor.  My produce tends to be small because I am still building my soil's fertility, but you just can't beat those old heirloom varieties for taste.  They shine!  And the lady that bought my small onions last week, came back and bought more because she said she loved the way they tasted.  When customers come back like this you know you are selling real food.

This is Dawn.  She networks with John and Floyd, the guys who take the time to haul everybody's scales down to Medford each Spring to get calibrated for the season. Because they are a network of growers, they always have a wide selection of veggies at their booth.  I like the way they use old potato and feed sacks to decorate their table.  I bought a whole box of tomatos from them for $18 to supplement the less than half a bushel of Rutgers tomatos I got from my garden. 

Phil didn't want his picture taken but allowed me to take one of his booth.  His veggies are simply enviable.  He gave me some advice about my soil, which was very nice of him.  We are a friendly group in Phillips, but we are definitely food oriented.  While we can offer crafts for sale, at least 50% of each booth must be dedicated to food or food products!

Phil's table

This is our market manager, Diane of B's Flambeau Acres.  She and her husband, Alan, sell honey and maple syrup.  It's delicious!  Diane was the first friend I made when we moved to Wisconsin and she is very dear to my heart.

Diane of B's Flambeau Acres

And to round it off, here is our booth and the rest of the vendors at the other end of the market.  I'm embarrassed to say that I can't remember everybody's names.

Find the farmers market nearest where you live and visit it.  Farmers markets are good for the stomach and good for the soul!