Herb Benham: Fair-goers are sweet on the sweet corn
| Thursday, Sep 24 2009 03:47 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Sep 24 2009 03:49 PM
Loading Stories
Advertisement
The Oildale Kiwanis Club sells corn on the cob and pizza at the fair, but if you're Jim Savage, longtime member of the club, you want to talk about the corn. "The corn is delivered every other day, in crates of about 60 ears each. The crates are stacked and covered in ice to keep the corn cool and moist. After it is shucked, it is brushed to get rid of the loose corn tassels. Then the ears are cut on both ends, making them more attractive.
"We cook the corn in four big copper kettles filled with water and about a cup and a half of sugar. The sugar is our secret ingredient. Some people think it is the best corn they have ever tasted.
"When the ears are removed from the boiling water they are placed in an urn filled with melted butter. Some folks still don't think their corn has enough butter even though it has been soaking in pure butter. We never argue. We either let them watch us pour more butter over the corn or give them a container of butter so they can pour it over the corn themselves, and they leave happy."
***
Realtor Patsy Sadler wrote about manners and included some practical advice:
"I don't understand why more people can't say, please, thank you, you're welcome and send thank you cards.
"When my girlfriend's kids were small and they received a gift, she kept them until the thank you cards were written. What a great idea! It takes so little to be courteous & doesn't cost a dime."
***
Neil Walker responded to the column on sunglasses. After losing my truck stop glasses recently, I finally bought a good pair. Neil had some fun with his son, Chad, over his own purchase.
"Chad has been the sunglass aficionado. Anything less than $95 Oakleys were unwelcome, although none ever survived beyond six months. I couldn't pay more than the going rate at Wal-Mart.
"A few years ago, after receiving directions from the friendly Wal-Mart greeter, I arrived at the wide-open, unlocked sunglass treasure trove. After stepping around the spectacles scattered about the floor, I spied the pair. These glasses fit my big head perfectly, making it appear more svelte and aerodynamic. They were obviously cool.
"That evening at the dinner table, I told Chad that I had seen the light and bought an expensive pair of sunglasses. I told him I used my Master Card because I could break the cost into four monthly payments.
"Chad asked to see the glasses. After close examination, he looked at me, smiled, and offered a high five.
"Just before we left the table, I pulled my wallet from my back pocket and handed him my Wal-Mart sunglasses receipt. $9.99 + tax."
***
I got a call from Millie who went on a 10-day, soaking-her-toes-in- peroxide program in order to rid of herself of toenail fungus.
"They look better," she said. "I got a compliment from my manicurist."
I don't think Millie is home free yet. She's going to call me in a another 30 days.
I tried soaking mine in white vinegar but I reached Day 3 and then my exciting night life knocked me off the program, It's hard to do something 10 days straight.
