Stuffed in Stuart!

I've been traveling alot lately in my "Richard on the Road" series of news features, and I must say that everywhere I go my hosts offer some of the most delicious food that is almost impossible to resist. Though I may have to go on a diet here in the near future, I have really cherished my travels in search of important places and interesting people in Patrick County, and I have really enjoyed the hospitality and the food as well.

This beautiful autumn weekend has left me "stuffed" but "satisfied" headed into the new work week (unfortunately radio hosts don't get the Columbus Day holiday off). My weekend began last Friday when I joined radio/TV chef Paul Farrar at Food Lion in Stuart. We did a remote broadcast and Paul prepared some of the most unusual and mouthwatering apple dumplings that I have ever eaten. Paul wrapped a whole Granny Smith apple (cored and filled with butter and cinnamon) in dough and baked it at 350-degrees and then topped it with a caramel topping that brought ecstacy to the taste buds. Thanks to Jane McAlexander at Food Lion for the hospitality and those of you who stopped by and enjoyed Paul's apple dumplings with me.

Saturday, I started the day with a big gravy biscuit at the Coffee Break before I set out on a round of weekend events that I covered for the news and my series. I really like the Canine Convention for the benefit of Patrick County United Way at the Landmark Center. About 20 pure bred dogs participated in the "pooch parade" and various categories of competition with their proud owners. As part of the fund raising effort, Doris Martin did a great job organizing a bake sale and I left with a huge calory-laden butter pecan pound cake in my hands. What a dessert! That'll last a day or two!

Then it was on to the first Farm and Outdoor Safety Program (sponsored by Patrick County Farm Bureau and other groups in the community) just across the way and down Woodland Drive at Rotary Field. There I enjoyed the safety demonstrations conducted by our fire and rescue units, Farm Bureau Safety Director Bruce Stone, and other safety experts. For lunch, I decided to help out the 4-H Shooter Education Club so I purchased a delightful cheeseburger at their concession kitchen at Rotary. Great burger, guys and gals!

I figured that would hold me until I got to my next destination...the annual Civil War Encampment and Reenactment at Laurel Hill, Confederate General JEB Stuart's birthplace and boyhood home in Ararat. What a beautiful facility and a wonderful event that attracts people from all across the eastern part of the United States and beyond. I really enjoyed watching the battle reenactment (hoping that the armies would get it right almost 150 years later and that the South would win... but I guess it ain't gonna happen though). I should have taken my earplugs because the noise from the cannon fire was almost deafening. Anyway, watching the soldiers go through their paces helped my appetite to build, so Tom Bishop, the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and I decided to have some lunch and to try some of the Civil War era food that was available along with the regular festival fare of burgers, hotdogs, fries, etc. So we had lunch at the Old South Cookery, one of the encampment vendors that specializes in serving Indian Fry Bread stuffed with or topped with various tasty treats, including breakfast items; fruits (apple, peach, or cherry), or meet and vegetables. Chef Billy Shealey learned to make this bread from the Cherokee Indians but wouldn't dare divulge the recipe. Tom and I tried the best-selling item on the menu, the Navajo Taco which was outstanding in its palate pleasing tastiness. More than a meal, it featured the Indian Fry Bread topped with seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatores, cheese, and sour cream...washed down with root beer and cherry soda. After consuming all that I was sure that I probably wouldn't want or need anything else to eat for a week. By the way, thanks Tom for buying my lunch...and thanks to everyone in the JEB Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust of which I am an honorary member for your graciousness, hospitality, and the free gate pass!

Saturday night, I was at the radio station working on my Civil War Encampment feature when Herbert, Tina, and Catherine unexpectedly came calling. They were on their way home from the High Point Baptist Church's Chicken Stew and they stopped to give me a big container of this incredibly tasty chicken stew served at the event. That was so very nice of the Conners. They are such caring and considerate people, like so many of my friends who look out for this single widower who doesn't see much point in cooking for one person at home anymore. Thanks Tina, Herbert, and Catherine for your thoughtfullness and thanks to the High Point Baptist Church member who made the stew! I wish I'd had some of that about a month ago when I took this cold that I am just beginning to shake off.

You'd think I'd had enough to eat! No so. Sunday brought my biggest feast of all. I was invited to attend the Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church's Homecoming and Dedication of the church's new Ministry Center, to enjoy lunch, and to hear the Southern Prophets sing. (I'll have a "Richard on the Road" feature series in the near future.) What a meal it was! In the multi-purpose Ministry Center facility, they had 2 tables that each seemed to be about a hundred yards longs completely filled with scrumptuous home cooked foods and desserts prepared by members of the church. I have never seen that much food under one roof in all my life. Of course, I consumed freely, just like everyone in attendance on this historic day in the history of one of Patrick County's largest churches. After completely stuffing myself, my friend Vernelle Trent insisted that I take home a big plate of desserts which she so thoughtfully prepared for me. What a great day it was with a touching sermon, wonderful music by the Southern Prophets, terrific fellowship, and all my favorite foods and sweets galore. Thanks to Pastor Trent Wall and the congregation of Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church for your impeccable southern hospitality. It was especially wonderful to see and to interview former pastor, the Rev. Jack Foley, and to hug and to interview one of the charter members of the church that was established in 1943, Ms. Etta McGhee, who is as spry as she can be at age 94. God bless this sweet little lady with a heart of gold! This was a wonderful day in the Lord that I will treasure for years to come.

Well, it's almost time to get in bed to get a few hours of sleep before the alarm sounds at 4 a.m. You'd think after all that food during the weekend, that eating would be the last thing on my mind. Well, I'll say this, it's not a major priority right now, but I think I'll have my usual bag of microwave popcorn and a soda before I turn in. Good night and God bless.

Until I meet you on the airwaves bright and early each weekday morning on 1270 WHEO, may the Good Lord bless you with a "great day"!

Stuffed in Stuart,
Richard