We’re in the Newspaper!
An acquaintance of mine named Samantha Bee writes a monthly article called Sammie’s Shenanigans for Tallahassee’s largest newspaper, the Tallahassee Democrat. In her articles she highlights what she terms Tallahassee “gems,” small businesses in town that are unique and, in her opinion, worthy of mention. In July she contacted me to ask my permission to feature Single Tree Products.
I was taken by surprise and gladly consented. I answered her questions, and she wrote the article. She explained that she would submit the article on August 1st, and I should start watching for it after that. Early on Monday morning, August 4th, I saw the published article in its online version. Needless to say I was thrilled about it. About 10 minutes later, I had a new online order. Then another, and another. It turned out to be the busiest week I’d ever had. And that Saturday at the market, a number of people came to my tent and said they had come to see me because of the article.
Once I saw it in digital, I had to get a paper copy. We found a place to buy one and brought it home. If the digital version was great, the paper version was fabulous. It took up a full page and a half! If you would like to see the digital article, click here.
Having your picture and an article about your business in the newspaper is an interesting feeling. You feel like a star, but you also realize that your stardom is fleeting. I am reminded of the lyrics to a song in the Disney film, “Newsies.” The newsboys in New York City go on strike and they end up getting their picture in the paper. In the song “King of New York,” they exult about their momentary elation and sing this about the newspaper: “Tomorrow they may wrap fishes in it, but I was a star for one whole minute!” Samantha Bee, you are tops.
Introducing Kieffer Pear Jam
I was recently offered some pears from Marianne, a friend who has recently moved into our neighborhood. Her pear tree is the Kieffer Pear variety. (They are in no way related to the kefir fermented milk products available in stores these days.) I began working with them and found the flavor of the jam to be almost indistinguishable from the jam I make from Lydia’s and sand pear tree. About the only way to tell them apart is the consistency. The jam from the Kieffer pears tends to be not quite as thick as sand pear jam. Over the last few weeks I have harvested about 130 wonderful pears from Marianne’s tree and I’m turning them into jam. I am very glad to have them because of all the additional business generated from the newspaper article. I have sold a lot of jam!
The Great Granola Migration
Up to this point I have been using soy-based vegetable oil in my granola. A number of people at the market have said they prefer not to consume soy products, so I began exploring other options. My research kept pointing me to olive oil, but I was afraid it would affect the flavor of the granola. But I got brave and made a test batch. It was wonderful! The migration to olive oil is now underway. Olive oil is more expensive, but the price of the granola is not changing. Single Tree granola just keeps getting better.
In Other News…
- The article in the paper has caused me to reflect on how I got here. So many friends have helped me along the way and contributed their fruit. Many thanks to Bill and Lydia, who got me started with oranges and pears. Also to Twila, John, Cheron, Glen, Jacquelin, Marianne, Samantha, and Susan for their oranges, tangerines, pears, kumquats, loquats, blood oranges, and rosellas. We’ve made some pretty amazing jam. And to my old fig tree, that started it all.
- I am currently seeking some fall fruit. If any of my nearby readers have an over-abundance of apples, persimmons, or other fall fruit, I would love the opportunity to turn it into jam. Please send me a message from the Contact page!
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