By: Jim Fitzpatrick

Email: jim@nunica.com

Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer.

Along Brandy Creek

By Jim Fitzpatrick

 

The Coopersville Observer  June 26, 2006- - No. 73

There are a couple of ancient pear trees growing at the far end of her garden.  The one nearest the road is surrounded by a well established patch of rhubarb.  It has been there for a very long time; possibly for as long as the old fruit trees, maybe longer. Those four rows of succulent shoots have made a name for themselves over the years, mostly due to the fact that they have been growing there for so long.  But, it is darn good eat'n rhubarb, too; especially when you pull it at just the right time each spring.  The stalks grow tall and slender, the red ones and the green ones, they all taste just fine.  Rhubarb sauce, rhubarb pie, rhubarb anything cooked up with plenty of sugar or maple syrup will make your mouth water just thinking about it.

 

Carol keeps a pretty good eye on her place, and in particular her garden - including the rhubarb patch!  She does allow the neighbor fellow in there to collect a grocery bag or two each spring.  He works up the soil in her garden for her each year.  So, as you can guess, he has a rather good "in" with her on the rhubarb deal. She has been known to share with others, too; especially some of the old timers that were coming there even before she owned the farm.  That was back when it was referred to as Nellie's Rhubarb Patch, Nellie and Jake lived there for their entire married life.

 

Whether that patch of rhubarb is thought of as Carol's or Nellie's, it makes no difference.  It is as good as or better than any for miles and miles around.  Carol is the caretaker these days, says she isn't leaving the land until they "carry her off the place."  As the years pass Nellie's name will little by little be forgotten, just as the woman who was there before her has already slipped from local memory.  Carol's Rhubarb Patch, that's what it is these days.  And likely will be for a long time to come!

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