Buy Fresh, Buy Local

This picture is copied from the following web site (Buy Local, Buy Pennsylvania/Lehigh Valley):

http://www.buylocalpa.org/lehighvalley

Today I bought some produce and baked goods from the Farmers' Market at the Allentown Fairgrounds on Chew Street. I enjoy browsing in the market - there is a wide variety of stands and products. I think the farmers' market has existed for well over 100 years. Many stands are run by Mennonites or Amish people - others by Middle Eastern restaurants or Polish food importers - you can drop by and learn some Polish phrases!

The poster above depicts the "Pennsylvania Buy Fresh Buy Local" program, which is a coalition of organizations and volunteers that provide information to the public about locally produced farm and food products. Consumers can become familiar with the local geography while supporting the economy in their area. Local foods are special - they are fresh because they don't have to be shipped, and they are unique to the region where they are grown or produced.

A variety of information is available at this web site on places to purchase products. There are lists of farm and farmers' markets, wineries, and restaurants and stores that use locally produced foods.

Local organizing efforts are part of a larger coordinated effort - the link below provides more networking information:

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)

Eat Hearty!

Classes on Lehigh Valley History to be held in September

Two classes relating to the history of the Lehigh Valley region will be held this fall at the Lehigh County Senior Center in Allentown. Call the Center at 610-437-3700 for further information.

1) Lehigh Valley
This class explores the history of this region and how various events shaped the development of distinct cultures. Meets three Mondays (9/28, 10/5, 10/12) from 10-11 a.m.

2) Hamilton Street Mansions (and perspective on Influx of Ethnic Populations)
The class explores The Allentown and Lehigh Valley area as it existed 100 years ago. Meets two Fridays (9/4, 9/11) from 1-2 p.m.

Both classes are taught by Ted LaRose, who has graduate degrees in U.S. History and Education. He taught high school economics and sociology before retiring. Earlier this summer, Ted took a trip overseas, and I asked him to write me a note about where he'd been:

" I recently returned from a cruise on the Black Sea. I was impressed by the beauty and charm of both the Ukraine, Odessa and Yalta as well as Istanbul. An experience that I recommend for anyone. Sochi in Russia, however, although lovely, seems to be somewhat backward and the people are either apathetic to foreigners or would rather not be receptive to the outside world."

I'd like to hear more stories about what Ted experienced during his travels. For people interested in languages, as I am, this is a fascinating part of the world. Maybe sometime I'll write about that region in my "Language Land - World" blog.

State Flower of Pennsylvania

Mountain Laurel

State Flower of Pennsylvania

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/mountainlaurel.aspx

This image and text are taken from the above Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry web site.

A variety of blooming native flowers herald spring and summer in Penn's Woods. Chief among them is the evergreen Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia.

Governor Gifford Pinchot decided the choice of the official State flower in the 1930s. The General Assembly had passed two bills each naming a different favorite shrub-(Mountain laurel and the Pink azalea). Governor Pinchot chose the former and signed the bill into law on May 5, 1933.

Mountain laurel in Pennsylvania normally begins to bloom late in May and its pink and white blossoms are in evidence well into June. Thousands of tourists from the Commonwealth and surrounding states are attracted to the mountains each spring to view this colorful display