Not JUST Cowboy Poetry….
Events on the farm take plenty of prep, and although we did a great deal in the weeks before, we were thrilled to have Linda and John, Lucy and Christopher, and Ursula and Hector show up on Friday, the 13th, to put the finishing touches on Cowboy Poetry 2023. Casey and Tom had already put the stage together, but we needed chairs and tables moved, signs placed, walkways swept, a ballot box lettered, and apple pies tested. Whew!
We worried about Saturday, hoping that some rain predicted early in the week, would not appear until Sunday or Monday. And luckily, we had blue sky, temperate weather, soft breezes…. perfect for Cowboy Poetry, Apple Pie Tasting, and artistry displayed. A grand day, a glorious event! You can see that blue sky above the Emandal Sign:
Our second planting of zinnias and gladiolas…. the third of sunflowers…. dominated our garden…. and still do today! No frost yet!
The 10th Apple Pie Throwdown! One year we had 40 entries (far too many…) this year we had 15… a goodly number from which to choose the best.
Four official judges did their best to figure out: The Perfect Crust, The Most Delectable Filling, The Most Aesthetically Pleasing, Best Over-All Apple Pie, Best Next Generation and the Most Creative Apple Pie.
It was up to all the tasters to judge which pie deserved the rolling pin engraved with, People’s Choice Award!
And the winners!
Perfect Crust: Davina Sentak
Delectable Filling: Kylie Yokum
Most Creative: Tia Lawrence
Most Aesthetically Pleasing: Linda Miller
Best Over-All Apple Pie: Ellie Lou (an alias for Tamara Adams)
People's Choice: Diane Smalley
Next Generation: Kylie Yokum
Winners of the 10th Emandal Apple Pie Throwdown!
The contest was just a prelude the rest of the afternoon. Three of the finest western entertainers regaled us with songs, stories, poems, music.. and yodeling! Andy Hedges, Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong kept us enthralled for well over two hours. But for the sun fading in the west, they could have played for hours more, had the audience had their way….
Willits Senior Center brought out bushels of baskets for the Silent Auction……
Willits Senior Center Silent Auction baskets….
A new component was added this year…. Art in the Garden. Seven artists brought out various pieces for people to peruse….. beaded flowers, felted journals, postage stamp art, art quilts, dried flower wreaths, felted animals, numerous greeting cards, large floral canvases…. to name most of what was displayed. I wish I had taken a photo of everyone there…. but you’ll just have to imagine what a glorious exhibition it was!
Sunday morning, our traditional “Cowboy Breakfast” outside at the grill. Truly, a magnificent weekend!
