Thanksgiving Show Notes: Mushrooms, Oysters, Small Business Saturday Suggestions
The Thanksgiving episode, #68, is up, and I’m going to remind you once more that the next episode will not be up on Thanksgiving, as the usual schedule would have it. Instead of dropping it on Thanksgiving — because we all have better things to do that day than listen to a podcast — it’s going to pop up two days later, at 10:30 Eastern on November 29th, the day that’s been dubbed Small Business Saturday, a kind of alternative to the very corporate, big box Black Friday. It’s a much more STAG vibe.
In honor of that, the show includes a section on suggested Central Pennsylvania small businesses to visit on Small Business Saturday. So you don’t have to scribble down notes, I’ve included a list below for that. You’re welcome, and please consider spending your holiday gift money locally, because more of the money spent in local businesses stays local.
Because consider this: “…for every $100 you spend at a local business, $68 stays in your community, while only $43 will stay if you shop at a chain store. A 2013 study…concluded that counties with a larger share of local small businesses have lower poverty rates, faster employment growth, and stronger per capita income growth.” (From the CAMEO Network small business development website.) As my father’s favorite hymn put it, “Brighten the corner where you are!”
Speaking of gift ideas, the nice new website store is right here if you want to get autographed copies of my books! And if you DO have any suggestions or requests for Seen Through A Glass merchandise — a “What I’m Drinking Today” glass, maybe, or ball cap; probably not going to do sized apparel like shirts — hit the Contact tab up there and shoot me a line. Thanks!
Let’s see… Oh, the mushroom book Andrea mentioned is by Bill Russell: Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic. It’s from the Penn State University Press, and you can buy it directly here. And no, I don’t get any kickback if you buy it through that link. Jeez, I don’t even know how to do that. This is why I’m not making a living at this, I reckon, but that’s okay.
The Scalloped Oyster recipe!
1 pint shucked oysters (Primes), with liquor
2 boxes of Ritz crackers (at least one box, you’ll probably need more)
Butter, whole milk, salt & pepper
Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a deep casserole with butter. Coarsely crumble crackers in the bottom, then add a layer of four to six oysters. Add salt and pepper, dot generously with butter. Another layer of coarsely crumbled crackers, oysters, salt and pepper, and butter. Repeat. When dish is full, cover with a layer of whole crackers.
Top up oyster liquor in can/jar with milk, slowly pour into casserole. Add more milk (if needed) until it is just visible through the crackers. Place in 375° oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes.
I mentioned being on some other people’s shows! We’re going to be adding a Media page to the site with my other appearances, like What’s Brewing (here’s my latest appearance on that show) and other folks’ podcasts and such, but for now, I’ll post them here as they happen.
I was on an episode of Beer Sessions Radio (on the Heritage Radio Network) with celebrated New York City host and slow food enthusiast Jimmy Carbone. Jimmy and I go back a ways, and that’s what he wanted to talk about; what it was like being a drinks writer back when I was starting out in the 1990s. Great chat, and I think you’ll enjoy it.
I was also on Philly Pressbox Radio with Chet Chesko. As you might guess, yes, that’s a sports podcast, and my lack of sports knowledge is starting to become legendary, thanks to the absolute contrast with host Glen Macnow on What’s Brewing. Chet knew that, I met him while we were taping an episode of What’s Brewing. But even sports guys like to drink! So we talked whiskey and beer, in a much more relaxed manner than I usually get to, and that’s fun too. Short show; easy to watch and enjoy!
That’s about it. See you next time: Mifflinburg! November 29th, Small Business Saturday!
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IN CENTRAL PA SUGGESTIONS!! I broke these up into rough regions, and yes, I just made them up. It’s not an exhaustive list, obviously; feel free to send in your additional suggestions!
PENNS VALLEY and over the ridges
Millheim: The Portal, eclectic antiques and crafts
Aaronsburg: Aaronsburg Pottery (It's the last month for this long-time craftsman! Make an appointment to get these excellent pieces); Olde Village Mercantile has a wide variety of local products, gifts, and crafts.
Centre Hall: The Beaten Path, vintage furniture, jewelry, decor
Rebersburg: Forefathers Bookstore, specializing in history and biography
Mifflinburg: Stamm House has toys and Santa/Krampus/Belschnickel figures; the Christkindl Market is coming December 11-13!
Lewisburg: Purity Candy, excellent chocolates, and a STAG guest! Mondragon Books, used and new books; Paris Bakery and Cafe, wonderful fine pastries; Artists and Artisans is a co-op gallery of local and regional artists; the Roller Mills is a large antiques mall with tons to see; the Street of Shops along the river is a fun stroll for shopping.
BRUSH MOUNTAIN AND LOGAN VALLEY
Altoona: Wildfire, an “eco-friendly boutique”; The Clay Cup, ceramics and fun; LaJoe's and Alto Market for great Italian food items; the Boyer Candy factory store has all the Mallow Cup apparel you could wish, and, you know… Mallow Cups and all that.
Hollidaysburg: Lightning Bug Gifts, lots of very local apparel and jewelry
Tyrone: The Brew Coffee & Tap, great coffee and beer and gifts, including Warriors Mark Candles. Gardner's Candy and ice cream shop!
THE NORTHERN EXPANSE
Wellsboro: Hillstone Farms Shop, a variety of products from local farms and wineries/cideries.
Mansfield: Route 6 Country Shoppes, a wide variety of vendors with some excellent stuff; Ten West Espresso, a coffee/bake shop that also has a wide variety of vintage goods.
Phillipsburg: Thieves Market and Country Peddler, vintage goods and furniture.
Karthaus: Village Eatinghouse Sauce Kitchen was a podcast guest, and their delicious stuff is worth the beautiful drive through the woods to the far north corner of Centre County!
CAPITAL/CUMBERLAND (I’d be happy for some suggestions here…)
Carlisle: Central Wedge, a beautiful and delicious assortment of cheeses!
Boiling Springs: Village Artisans Gallery, a surprisingly diverse offering from over 200 artists, worth the drive.
Mechanicsburg: Lounge 611, smoking and men's grooming accessories; Callicutts Spice Co., a women-owned spice and spice blend store (with hot cocoa mixes too!); Glitz Soap Co. has handmade soaps in dazzling colors and delightful scents.
Harrisburg: Millworks, a brewpub and market, get to their special sale, The Odd Ones on November 29th 11-5
New Cumberland: Moss Creek Art, truly unique jewelry and furniture, gorgeous high-end stuff.
SOUTH CENTRAL
Huntingdon: Rothrock Outfitters is celebrating 25 years of great outdoor gear; the Huntingdon County Arts Council holiday shop is open 7 days a week, through 12/29; Standing Stone Coffee has fresh-roasted beans and a Pennsylvania shop of all kinds of other local goods; and order a holiday pie to go at Boxer’s Cafe!
STATE COLLEGE AND SURROUNDINGS
Pine Grove Mills: Centre Markets is opening in Pine Grove Mills, better check for hours.
Bellefonte: This is the place for antique and vintage shopping: The Great Mish Mosh and The Plaza Centre both offer multiple floors of a wide variety of items, including some gorgeous furniture; Belle Mercantile has a great selection of gifts for a wide variety of occasions; Titan Market is another market venue with everything from vintage vinyl to pickles. Smith + Front has an eclectic assortment of gift items; Helen Foxx & Co. has a sharp offering of women's clothing for discriminating tastes.
State College: Barrel 21 and Otto's because booze is a gift too!; Way Fruit Farm’s main store is in Stormstown, but you can get the same fruit and gifts at their downtown store, The Nittany Quill offers custom calligraphy and notepapers; Webster's Bookstore Cafe is a comfy ideal of a bookstore where you can curl up with a coffee; while Squirrel and Acorn offers their own collection and selection of books; Kitchen Kaboodle is the place to go for that one more gadget your kitchen must have; Growing Tree Toys is the place to find toys that kids will love (that you’ll love to give); Appalachian Outdoors has toys for bigger kids; Freeze Thaw Cycles and The Bicycle Shop will put you or your loved ones on wheels with all the gear you need; and Wiscoy for Animals has plenty of treats and toys for your furry, finned, feathered friends. Just outside of town, you’ll find places like the famous Tait Farm with homemade shrubs and chutneys and such, and Christmas trees, too!; Boal City Brewing has their great beers, and cool socks; and I’m breaking my “local only” rule for Chocolates by Leopold because of their Buttercrunch candy; not far away in Lemont is The Gallery Shop and the Art Alliance, which is just what it sounds like. Arcadian Consignment is a favorite vintage store out Benner Pike with a bit of everything.
ALONG THE WESTERN BRANCH
Williamsport: The Otto Bookstore, one of America's oldest indie bookstores; Alabaster Coffee & Tea, a great assortment of both; Le Chocolat, and Lang's Chocolate for your sweet teeth; Gustonian Gifts has abroad array of local and international crafts, plus walking sticks!; Patinaz has custom jewelry, clothes, candles, and pottery; Avu Goldsmiths has beautiful custom jewelry and other gifts.
Montoursville: Griggs Coffee & Peanuts has all that plus fresh-made nut butters; The Robin's Nest started as an antique store and expanded into local crafts and gifts.
Lock Haven: It Is What It Is, extremely eclectic gifts and candy and wine and soap and...; Shoop's Charcuterie, and Leo's Deli for great holiday party foods and gifts.
Clearfield: Revived & Company, a mall of various cool vendors in an old school.