Produce stand

The coolest new thing in Greenwood this week is the new farmer's market/produce stand that has opened downtown.

I am excited about fresh food, more availability, and meeting the growers. First day I bought peaches and snow peas. If I knew what to do with kale, I would have bought some.

There is a fairly big controversy about relocating the current farmer's market on Wednesdays and Saturdays from the old Civic Center area to uptown Greenwood. I'm not sure which side of that I'm on yet, but I do love the idea of MORE places to get local produce. The uptown location is fairly cramped already and hugs a busy/noisy train track.

The Saturday market opens June 4th, but it may be the 8th before I can check it out. Plus I've heard you have to get there early, and I'm not much for 7 or 8 a.m. on a Saturday. We'll see.

Historic

Today I did something historic. I was a part of the crowd attending the dedication of a historic site honoring Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Greenwood County native. If you don't know him, and I didn't until recently, check this out.

Wisteria, Dogwoods & Crepe Murder

Spring has sprung in Greenwood! Which means it is allergy season, but if you can see and breathe, you'll notice we are having a most beautiful spring. Wisteria covers trees like purple kudzu. The dogwoods bloomed overnight. People are trimming the crepe myrtles into stubs, but in a few weeks they will bolt and by July be full of new blooms. A duck laid an egg on our lawn.

Basketball

By the way, we did catch a Lander women's basketball game, the first round of the PeachBelt conference tourney. Lander handily beat UNC Penbroke, but went on to lose in the second round in a stunner to a 4 seed. The other #1 seed also lost, but both play on now in the NCAA Division II brackets.

Biking in Greenwood

I can't believe I haven't already blogged about how great the bike community in Greenwood is. Alan is a regular on the Tuesday night ride in the woods at Parson's Mountain, and we have already enjoyed several Saturday "Fountain" rides this year. Those meet at the fountain in Uptown Greenwood on Saturdays at 10, or after time changes Sunday, at 9. Depending on the weather, who is there and how long folks want to ride, it is usually one or two groups, 20-40 miles. We've been on a 40+ mile adventure to the border with both McCormick and Abbeville counties. Plus some 30+ mile adventures around Ninety Six, including a pitstop at the National Historic Site. There are Sunday afternoon rides too, usually at 2 or 3 from the adorable gazebo in Hodges. Looking forward to catching one of those rides, but my captain is usually riding in the woods on Sunday afternoons if the weather permits.

Word is the new county master plan "encourages bike and pedestrian traffic." We'll see what that means, if anything.

Chili's

Several weeks ago we ate at the local Chili's restaurant and met Kayla. She is a Lander college student who works as a server on Wednesday and Saturday nights. We like the Chili's menu, but we have eaten there more often in the last month than we likely would have if we hadn't befriended Kayla. If we start out on a Wednesday or Saturday night, it's "are we going to see Kayla?" Usually yes. Now that is the kind of server the restaurant industry needs more of, those who inspire loyality in customers. Great job, Kayla!

Lander Women's Basketball

I didn't make it to a game this season, and I'm disappointed in myself about that.

For most of the season, our local college's women's basketball team was undefeated and ranked #1 IN THE COUNTRY in Division 2. They ended the season yesterday with a 104-46 home victory and only 2 losses on the season.

They also wore pink jerseys yesterday as a breast cancer awareness promo.

Great job Lady Bearcats!