Chester Chatter: Sowing seeds for a fine harvest

| Apr 23, 2018 | Comments 1

By Ruthie Douglas
© 2018 Telegraph Publishing LLC

About this time of year, seed catalogs started to arrive in the mailbox of the old Douglas farm house.

It was not long before they were spread out on the kitchen table. Pages were turned, prices compared and much thought pondered.

First came the farmland seeds, a big, important job. It was not smart to order before the cheapest. Alfalfa seeds were high-priced. We ordered enough for a 10-acre plot. Cover crops like rye and wheat did not cost quite as much.

One wanted to be sure to have good corn seed. We had the big field of 125 acres and about 100 more here and there. Corn was the staple food for the cows during the winter months.

At last it became the women of the house’s turn. We had a large vegetable garden, blueberries and a raspberry patch. We canned a big supply of veggies. I swear I can hear the sound of the pressure cooker to this day. Some how all the work was rewarding, especially on a cold winter’s night when we enjoyed a blueberry pie with ice cream.

Seen and heard

Benny and Kim Benson are home after a several week stay in Zephyrhills, Fla. They stayed with parents Melvin and Betty Stowell.

Bob Record was guest of honor at his 75th birth party on Saturday, April 14 at the Chester American Legion lounge. Richard Riendeau provided music and a buffet was served to family and friends.

Corey Riendeau of Virginia spent a few days visiting her mother Donna Whitney.

Jerry and Gail Stewart spent some time in Arizona, where Jerry was on business for the American Legion.

Judy Henning has been nominated as the Auxiliary of American Legion Unit 67’s Member of the Year. Her name will be submitted for statewide honors.

The recent two-day gun show at the legion was a very busy place with a large attendance.

  • This week’s trivia question: Where in Chester was the Second Hand Rose shop?
  • Answer to last week’s trivia question: In 1940, the town voted to pick up garbage once a week in winter and twice a week in summer.

Street Talk

What do you like about living in Vermont?

Brad Pajala: It is a wonderful place to raise your children and feel that they are safe.
Jason Hurd: I like the out of doors and hunting.
Jerry Stewart IV: I like being close to my family.
Maryanne Bonneville: I like the changing seasons and my family live here.
Nate Stewart: I love maple syrup.
Scott Bonneville: The peacefulness and family and friends.
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Filed Under: Chester Chatter • Community and Arts Life

About the Author: Ruthie Douglas is originally from Springfield but has called Chester her home for 58 years, and has been writing the Chester Chatter column for more than 40 of those years. Ruthie is also a longtime volunteer throughout the community.

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  1. Richard Sweet says:
    April 25, 2018 at 9:07 am

    Hi Ruthie,
    I am Richard Sweet. I live in Zephyrhills, Fla., as well. The last time the Bensons were down here I walked out the front door of the Moose Club and there was Kim. I thought I saw a ghost of a former student that came back to haunt me. This was two years ago. I would have met them again but did not know they were in town. We go back for five months to New Hampshire and camp at Loon lake.