This is the time of year when folks think about ways to save all of the fresh produce being harvested from their gardens or purchased at local farm markets.
To help, the Countryside Conservancy is sponsoring a class on canning, Preserving Your Bounty, at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Basket of Life Farm, 4965 Quick Road, Peninsula.
Techniques in canning, freezing and drying will be taught by Heather Walters. The class is $15 and registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.cvcountryside.org to register or contact Katie Griffith at info@cvcountryside.org or at 330-657-2532, ext. 222. Class participants will also receive a Countryside Garden Planner.
Meanwhile, Jarden Home Brands, which makes Ball brand home canning products, will be hosting its third annual National Can-It-Forward Day on Aug. 17.
A live free webcast hosted by Ted Allen, host of the Food Network’s Chopped, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Union Square Greenmarket in New York, and will feature demonstrations on canning, crafting and entertaining.
Consumers can participate by tuning into the webcast at www.freshpreserving.com, hosting their own canning parties, or following the events on social media on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, #canitforward.
Sandwich Board closes
The Sandwich Board, at 1947 W. Market St., has closed again.
Longtime owner Regina Hardman closed the popular diner in February 2012, but it was reopened in June 2012 by Monty and Caitlin Butler of Stow.
After a year, the Butlers have called it quits.
Building owner Stan Sheftel said he is talking with a few interested parties and hopes to have the restaurant leased soon.
New business popping up
Tim and Beth Knorr have launched a new business, Popsmith, selling gourmet ice pops at local farmers markets.
If their names sound familiar, it’s probably because Tim Knorr was the longtime farm manager at Crown Point Ecology Center in Bath Township, and Beth Knorr is local food programs and market manager for the Countryside Conservancy.
The coouple, experts in farm fresh produce, decided to use seasonal local fruit, herbs and spices to create small batches of artisan ice pops. Their flavors include Chai-Spiced Black Raspberry, Sour Cherry Rose, Raspberries and Cream, Cucumber Mint and Blueberry Lavender Lemon.
The pops are sold mainly at farmers markets and other special events, but they also will produce pops for parties, weddings and other gatherings. The pops are $3 each.
For more information, visit www.popsmith.com or look for them on Facebook, Twitter @popsmithpops and Instagram @popsmithicepops.
Celebrating sweet corn
Graf Growers, 1015 White Pond Drive, Copley Township, will be hosting a Corn Fest all day Saturday to celebrate the summer’s harvest.
There will be fire-roasted sweet corn for $1.50 an ear with various flavored butters, and free hot dogs.
The Bee String Band from Kent will play from noon to 4 p.m., and there will be balloon art for children from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as cornhole boards for family fun. There will be a variety of sweet corn recipes for sampling, including sweet corn blueberry ice cream.
For more information, visit www.grafgrowers.com or call 330-836-2727.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.