This year, the weekend kicked off for my family with the Friday night high school football game. Our youngest was performing in the half-time show and my middle child and her husband had just arrived from Virginia to watch. We made a small huddle to keep warm and passed the time playing a fun new game we have just made up. We like to call it "Who Knows More People at (insert event)".
In the past, N8 would have won hands down. The only people I knew in town were the ones I am related to and its not a big number. But this year, after involving myself in all kinds of new activities and organizations around town, I won the battle. Sadly, I lost the war over the weekend as people who grew up here and relocated elsewhere flocked back for A&P.
For our family, A&P is an annual family/class reunion. As we walk all over town getting a taste of the best food (is it just because we only have it once a year or is it really that good?) we bump into people N8 knows for all kinds of reasons. Mostly, he went to school with people we meet but occasionally its someone he knows from the days his family owned a bakery in town. These are the people I find fascinating because they knew my beloved mother-in-law who sadly passed away shortly after our youngest was born. They have great tales to tell of N8's antics as a child.
So this year, we sampled and browsing and schmoozed through the A&P and I took note of some really great vendors. Every single booth run by an organization was fantastic. I think it should be noted by those who do not live here that a large portion of the town volunteers to help at A&P. Our school organizations, churches, civic groups are all well represented and you can't go wrong with any of the vendors at the Homestead. All are great. And my personal appreciation for everything you do to support the organizations you volunteer for.
Here are my top picks for vendors and booths who really stood out for one reason or another this year:
1. Wapella Says YES Breakfast Tent ~ You all know its the green and white striped tent that serves THE best sausage breakfast in town at A&P. What you may not know is what Wapella says YES to. I asked after several people in line also wanted to know. Wapella no longer has their own school district as their kids attend Clinton schools but to give the kids of Wapella a sense of community the booth raises money at A&P to fund holiday parties, family nights and fun events for not only their community but those surrounding, including Clinton. The events are free to the families and are much looked forward to. So say YES to Wapella next year. You wont be disappointed.
2. Toohill Seed and Beef Service ~ These are the beef wizards who supply the sausage to the Wapella Says YES tent. One taste of that sausage and you will understand why the line is long but so worth the wait. www.toohillbeef.com
3. Sasse's Apiary ~ Nathan started raising bee's as a 4H project and now the amazing honey is available at 26 vendors in our area. We tried the Creamed Honey and just had to buy some for our morning toast. You can try your own at Save-A-Lot here in Clinton which I was told was the very first vendor to support Nathan! www.sassesapiary.com
4. GourDesigns ~ My youngest was blown away by the gourds carved into everything from lamps to bowls in intricate designs that had us puzzling over how they did that. She was amazed that the material was actually once a living fruit. http://gourdesignsbydebbie.blogspot.com/
5. B and B Knitters ~ I have a confession on this one. Barb is my daughter's class nanny and a dear family friend. But what makes this booth special is the two ladies running it. Bev taught Barb to knit and the two set up a lovely booth in the Craft Barn on the Homestead grounds. These two wonderful ladies knit and felt all kinds of purses, bags, hats and scarves and while visiting them, I think we started a knitting group to bridge the gap between older knitters and the younger generation of children who are eager to learn. Stay tuned and check them out next year or email them at bnb.kniters@yahoo.com
6. Klassy Kreations ~ I love re purposing and recycling. This combines both. Lisa recycles old light bulbs into ornaments and decorations and I watched her work and have to say I am blown away by how adorable and innovative this lady is. My personal favorite was an elf with twinkly eyes. klassykreations@yahoo.com
7. Jerry Rhoads Woodturning ~ I knew I was in trouble when I looked up from the above booth and saw N8 checking out pens. Wooden ones. Expensive looking fountain pens. For a man who uses a computer for a living, its a strange weakness. But as we toured this booth even I was amazed at the craftsmanship and beauty of the pieces. www.jerryrhoadswoodturning.com
8.Richards Rockery All-In-One Engravings
9. Dylan Punke ~ This photographer/graphic artist actually caught my eye last year when I purchased two of this prints. His style uses a combination of black and white photography with carefully enhanced color to evoke a beautiful timeless image. I highly recommend you take a look at what this young artist has accomplished. www.dep-artgallery.com
10. Young Soda Entrepreneur ~ There is a young man on Center St who caught our attention. Simply selling bottled soda and water, on his own, cheaply. Now this may not seem like a noteworthy entry but my hat is off to the youth in this town and all over who take it upon themselves to provide a service and make some money. His parents support his business drive and I think its fantastic that he has the ambition to have his own business and make and save some money. So bravo to you, young man. You know who you are.
So to round up the weekend, I just want to comment on the thing that touched me most and made me proudest to be a New Clintonian this weekend. Twice, on separate occasions at the football game and at the opening of the high school band's performance, our national anthem was played. And everyone stopped. Everyone turned to the flag. And everyone honored it. God bless America and God bless Clinton.
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