There’s none of this or none of that going on

Sure, I picked up, paid for and chomped down my share of “fair food” at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds over the past few days – it would seem that the candidates for the junior fair king and queen court were right on when they said that, “the Stromboli was their favorite” as witnessed by the folks standing patiently in line to get their share of this fair treat.

But there were lots of other goodies available as well – anything from ice cream, donuts, French Fries (of course!), pizza, pork chops, steak sandwiches, cotton candy, popcorn, and lots, lots more. Pretty much anything you might want actually. But I must admit, I miss the Rotary donuts, the variety of French Fry stands, the three school food stands, Coshocton, Ridgewood and River View. Each of these had their signature menu with their own “best” item on the menu. You know what I’m talking about.

But one of the things I will miss – greatly – is the pie and cake auction held on Friday evening and Monday evening at the Rotary Pavilion respectively. Yep, I have a sweet tooth. Actually, a whole entire mouthful of ‘em! Coshocton County is blessed with some fantastic bakers and over the years one becomes quite the connoisseur of the various types of pies and cakes and cookies and candies and breads that are offered up at this auction. Ladies – and gentlemen, your talents in the kitchen will be missed this year by myself and many others. Let’s hope all of you return in 2021.

Yeh, I miss the fair. In fact, it was pretty sad going out to the fairgrounds over the weekend – the sights, sounds and smells of the fair are unique. And while some may complain about the lack of change, I for one like the fact that the vendors are typically in the same spot each year. You know where to go to find your favorites. You know what will be in the Grange Hall and the Art Hall and the commercial buildings and the Youth building. But I’m glad the kids got to show their livestock projects. Now let’s’ all support the auction!

I am confident in saying that of all the events that have been cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic the fair is the one that I miss the most. The Apple Butter Stirrin’ and the annual Fall Farm Foliage Tour also rank right up there. I say this year you just plot your own course across and around the county and take a ride on the wild side of Coshocton County!

You can find your own stops – whether they be in Coshocton, Roscoe Village, Warsaw, Newcastle, West Lafayette, or even venture “just a bit outside” of the county lines – you can harken back to your preschooler days – sometimes you gotta color outside the lines – and visit Baltic, Dresden or Newcomerstown. But maybe not all on the same day.

Typing those words in the above paragraph reminded me of something I almost forgot to write about this week – the words, “just a bit outside” brings up the Cleveland Indians and that infamous movie, “Major League” – WHAT HAPPENED? Those dang Yankees are the nemesis of the Indians as much as the Steelers are the nemesis of the Browns. But maybe not this year.

Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion