Etcetera: It's Weird Veggies and Fruit season!

BY JUDY KRIEGER, COURIER EDITOR

June 22, 2009 04:06 pm

Just in case you were wondering, yes, the Courier will have another Weird Veggies and Fruit contest starting — now!
In fact, Merl Stevens of Unionville, Iowa, brought in the first entry on Friday.
He picked one strawberry from his patch, and it had eight berries on one stem.
His strawberry crop is doing fine, he said, except that the raccoons are getting more than he is!
If you find something odd or weird-looking in your garden, please bring it in to show us. We’d like to take your photo with the item.
And yes, there will be a prize at the end of summer for the oddest of the odd.
You also are invited to e-mail photos of an odd veggie or fruit. Send them to me at — j.krieger@ottumwacourier.com.
Although it might be a bit early for weird-looking tomatoes or carrots, there might be an odd radish around!

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The Courier’s been on the road again.
Ricci Dolan of Ottumwa shared with us a cute photo of she and her two sisters with their mother in Las Vegas, Nev.
It was Tina Griffiths’ first time in Vegas, “and she loved it,” Dolan said.
In the photo they let the M&M guy at M&M’s World hold the Courier. From left are Laura Fairchild, Tina Griffiths, Ricci Dolan and Jennifer Cox.
A very nice Mother’s Day treat, I’d say!

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Christopher Bennett took time out from viewing the animals to hold a Courier at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Ill.
Christopher, 8, and his parents, Marcus and Kristle Bennett of Ottumwa included the free zoo visit in attractions they saw on their Chicago trip.

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Madison McKim, 4-and1/2-years old, got the honor of holding the Ottumwa Courier in front of the Dixie Stampede on the strip in Branson, Mo.
Her mom, Amanda McKim, holds another daughter, Katelyn, 14 months old.
The Fairfield family on the trip included dad Jason McKim, grandparents Rick and Tina McKim of Agency and Jim and Annett McKim of Hedrick.
The group enjoyed the Stampede which features a utensils-free dinner and beautiful horse show; riding the “ducks” down the ‘76 strip and Silver Dollar City and seeing a magic show.

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Attending the “Prelude to the Dream Race” at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio — with a Courier — were, from left: Matt Britt, Mark Britt, Aaron McConnell, Mathew Hazelwood and Chris Harris.

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While taking photos of Wilson students at recess during a very rainy day, Courier reporter and photographer Mark Newman got in on the action.
Students included his photo while doing some drawing.

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Don’t forget to attend the Green Earth Farmer’s Market held from 4:30-7 p.m. Mondays on the grass by the parking lot at The Beach Ottumwa. Several exhibitors recently were selling homemade bread, fresh strawberries, honey, other baked goods, homemade soaps, wooden spoons and a variety of seeds. Lettuce, radishes and other goodies were available. It’s a great spot for a festive event.
Ottumwa Farmer’s Market is 3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8-11 a.m. Saturdays in the parking lot at Quincy Place Mall. Always good stuff there.
We’ve even heard a third market might be coming to Ottumwa.
We city folk love it when gardeners share their produce. Nothing better than something from the garden!

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