Cooperative Living March 2023 - 34

RURAL LIVIING
Not Just Another Syrupy Column
by Margo Oxendine, Contributing Columnist
The Highland County Maple Festival is just around the corner
W
inter is
supposedly
almost over.
But then again, there's
the Highland County
Maple Festival. It's sort
of a sure bet around
here that on one of the two weekends
of Maple Festival, there will be snow.
But that's not much of a problem;
the Maple Festival goes on for two
weekends. One of those is bound to
be filled with sunshine. Even snow does
not stop the visitors from streaming in
for that sweet syrup, those delectable
donuts, the pancakes and the crafts.
The dates for the Highland County
Maple Festival this year are March
11-12, and March 18-19.
Where is it? Almost anywhere in
Highland County - from Hightown
to McDowell to Monterey. Much of
the action takes place inside the " new "
school, which serves all grades; and, also
at the old school, where you'll find the
Highland Center, on Spruce Street. Just
follow the crowds, wherever you land.
You'll find wonderful stuff everywhere.
Those donuts I mentioned? Well,
know now that one is nowhere near
enough. A fresh, maple syrup donut,
still warm, is one of the best things I've
ever eaten. I remember one Maple Fest
when my mother and I waited in a long,
snaking line for at least 45 minutes.
Folks were purchasing boxes of dozens
of donuts, sometimes balanced in a
veritable tower as they walked by us
to get out the door. When we finally
got to the ordering counter, we said,
pl
" We'll have four donuts, please. "
av
for just four don
" Ju
the
't
d
n
" Just four? " the people around us
exclaimed. " YouYou waited all this time
ust four donuts? That's kind ofsad. "
No,No, it wasn't sad at all.We got back to
the
the car and sat thsat there, devouring our
sti
stilll-warm, delici
a bit ofguilt abo
av
mig
found by taking
y, the
w
th the
might want to take a little trek to during
th fest
I have a sugge
ant to ta
the festivival: Sout
f
ound by taking the little road across
from thethe Bolar Ruritan Club. (By the
way, the Ruritan Club is noted for its
R
hot-off-the-griddle pancakes and
sausage. Another long line, but also
welell worth the wait.)
Southernmost Maple, up scenic Bolar
Road, is run by the family and friends
of owners Mike and Diane Puffenbarger
and is a destination in and of itself. There
is an authentic old-time country store
wherein you'll find Amish butter, syrup
in all sizes of containers, buckwheat
flour, jams, and lots of home-baked
goods that might include the best mapleoatmeal-pecan
cookies you've ever eaten.
Inside, you'll find a real restroom
arm, delicious donuts. Didn't feel
out it, either.
ggestion for a place you
outhernmost Maple, a farm
(difficult to
find during
any festival,
anywhere.) But
more importantly,
lots of live, good
ole country music and bluegrass, with
Mike Puffenbarger on the stand-up bass.
Oh yeah: And pancakes; buttermilk or
buckwheat. And of course, plenty of
that tasty syrup.
Outside at Southernmost, you'll
find a food trailer, selling homemade
at
lling
barbecue and delectable brisket and the
usual hot dogs alongwith other fare.
the
wit
othe
They'll be frying up donuts in the trailer,
too, so this is your chance to forget the
long lines inMonterey, and get what
you're craving, fast.
in the
hance to forget the
y, and get what
There are more crafters than you
aft
than
can count sprinkled throughout the
festival venues. But this year, the
the
Highland Center is featuring a slew
ofthem, including a local artisans'
showcase, and plenty ofhandmade
items. There are many excellent artisans
inHighland County, and ifyou wantant
them all in one place, then this should
local artisans'
, then this should
be another of your destinations.
If you want more info about the
Highland Maple Festival, call 540-4682550,
the Chamber of Commerce office.
Or, just hop in the car and take off
toward Virginia's " Little Switzerland, "
for a sweet, tasty, happy weekend. 
To order Margo's book, " A Party of One, "
call 540-468-2147 Mon-Wed., 9-5,
or email therecorderoffice@gmail.com.
CL WHEREZIT?
Look for the CL logo, like the one above, in the pages of
this issue of Cooperative Living. Submit the page number
where you found it alongwith your name, email and phone
number to WherezIt, c/o Cooperative Living, P.O. Box 2340,
Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340 or go online at co-opliving.com
under " Contests. " Deadline isMarch20. Thewinnerwill
receive a $25Amazonemail gift card.
32 ● Cooperative Living ●
March 2023
co-opliving.com
the
PHOTO COURTESY OF POWELL
VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
http://www.co-opliving.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living March 2023
