Polk County is all a flutter with activity as people feel the excitement of fall and the harvest season.
Fall brings a variety of celebrations to our communities, with farmers bringing their bounties in from the field, commemorations of our veterans and giving thanks for our blessings.
Vaughn Loeffler, the Polk County Farmer’s Market manager, says there are lots of fresh home-grown vegetables, eggs, honey and more available for purchase right here at our local farmer’s markets. Did you know Polk County is the second largest apple producer in the state, second only to Hendersonville?
Vaughn says there are more than seven varieties available at the markets, along with squash, lots of peppers, okra, potatoes, pumpkins and some end-of-season tomatoes. Charlene’s Garden, always a favorite, has local sausage and, of course, lots of produce.
This afternoon the Polk Fresh Farmers Market will be held in Saluda at the West Main parking lot from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and tomorrow morning you have two options.
Landrum’s Farmer’s Market, at the Depot, starts bright and early at 7 a.m. and the Columbus Farmer’s Market at the Womack building parking lot will be open from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Can’t make it to the farmer’s market? No problem, you can order your fresh produce on line. Visit www.farmersfreshmarket.org.
Are you a local farmer and have produce you want to sell? You can do that too!
For anyone interested in local agriculture there will be a free Friends of Agriculture breakfast next Wednesday from 7 – 8 a.m. at the 4H Center in Columbus.
Kirk Wilson of Foothills Connect will be the speaker.  Vaughn says the program wraps up by 8 a.m. for those who need to get to work but your welcome to stick around and visit.
On the veterans front, I recently received an email from Tryon Rotarian Judy Lair with the good news that there will be another Honor Air Flight in November.
This will be a single-day trip and is free of charge to Western North Carolina WWII veterans. Transportation will be provided to and from the airport. The flight will depart from Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
If you are a WWII veteran or know of one who would like to make the trip please contact JoAnn Naeger by emailing her at jnaeger@vwlawfirm.com, or call 828-258-2991 for a veteran and guardian application.
Honor Air Flights are a great opportunity to honor our WWII veterans for their service. Our hats are off to the many who have made these trips possible.
Saturday morning at the Mill Spring First Baptist Church on Hwy 108, “Tickle Pink” members Marsha Greene, Jean Pack, Cindy Staggs, Shirley Odel and Grace S. will host a Relay for Life benefit breakfast from 7 – 10:30 a.m.
This breakfast allows those passionate about Relay for Life to help the organization raise funds and show thanks to the community for its support. Shirley says there will be the full country breakfast, homemade biscuits, sausage, eggs, grits, waffles, bacon and more. All proceeds will benefit Relay for Life.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend, and remember all life in the foothills affords us – great homegrown food, patriotic neighbors and so much to be thankful for each day.