Last Thursday’s annual Harvest Dinner in the Blanchard Hall proved to be a wholesome–and packed!–gathering for the community.

The Hall exuded the lovely sounds of live piano, artfully played by the community’s own Ruthann and Steve.  Mouth-watering scents of smoked salmon–cooked fresh right out back by George, procured by Mary and filleted by Chris–coupled with fresh breads, crisp salads and delicious beets & potatoes drew quite a crowd!  The salmon was awesome, but I don’t think any dish could have topped the fresh-made donuts, baked at 4 o’clock that morning by Dona Hargrave just for the Harvest Dinner.

The Hall brimmed with community members and at one point we nearly ran out of plates!  A happy dilemma, as the dish crew got right to work.

The raffle offered fresh Breadfarm Breads, and the first winning ticket took home an enormous Harvest Basket, stocked with scrumptious local fixings.

As a newcomer to the community, I was greeted warmly by so many people.  Easy conversation, genuine smiles, and great food: what more could a girl ask for?  It struck me deeply–the  value of this place and the people who create it by living here.  There is an authenticity at Blanchard seldom found elsewhere, a real-ness that is difficult to put into words but fully palpable when any number of community members get together.  In a fast-paced, electronic world, these qualities are truly something to be cherished!

When Peggy Bridgman spoke regarding the Coal Trains and the proposed Cherry Point Terminal, the juxtaposition of the happy Harvest Dinner with what the potential terminal development implies really hit home.  It solidified for me that what Blanchard has to offer is something that should be protected.  And, having met many of you for the first time at the Harvest Dinner, I am confident that it will be.

Happy Autumn to all, and thank you for being a part of the community.