Wickford RI Scarecrow Contest

Wickford, RI - Judging from the ribbons on the scarecrows Wickford was having a scarecrow contest. Here is a few that I saw when I was there.


This really tall scarecrow was the champion I believe.


I really like this one, it looks familiar but I can't quite figure out what is looks like other than a bird with a mask. It has a first prize ribbon and a second place people's choice ribbon.


This rather floral scarecrow was just sitting around.


This artist scarecrow was painting a nude modeled by this scarecrow wearing a body stocking or is that a scarecrow with a stocking body?


Now this scarecrow was just hanging around.


There is even a gourd dog.

Pulp Mill Bridge

Middlebury, VT - This bridge is just outside Middlebury VT spanning Otter Creek. It has two lanes one each way, I believe it is the only double covered bridge that still has traffic using it, in Vermont. It was built in 1820 and rebuilt in 1980.


Side view of the bridge.

The Round Church

Richmond, VT - This sixteen sided church was built in 1812 as Richmond's first meeting house by a group led by William Rhodes. The first proprietors were members of five denominations Baptist, Christian, Congregational, Universalist, and Methodist. Town meetings were held here for 160 years. In 1973 it was closed for restoration due to structural problems. It is maintained by Richmond Historical Society and staffed by volunteers. It is now used for tours, meetings, weddings, ecumenical services and concerts. In 1996 it was designated a National Historic Landmark.



A view from the balcony.

Information from sign outside the church.

Proud Farmers

Around Westhampton, MA - I saw all these prize ribbons and trophies in front of the Whirlwind Farm. There were quite a few of them...they must be real proud.


Another view showing the ribbons in front of the house also.

Whoopie Pies

West Kingston, RI - I ran across this Whoopie Pie stand and of course I had to check it out. These treats were being sold in someone's driveway; stored in a cooler with a cashbox to put your money in on the honor system.


The day I went the flavors de jour were Chocolate and Pumpkin. I've had chocolate before so I went with the pumpkin. It was a good selection, I'm sure the chocolate was just as good. Now if you don't know what a Whoopie Pie is, sorry no photo, I pigged it down too fast, it is two round pieces of cake, each like a mound with a creamy filling between. To tell you the truth, I don't exactly know what was the filling in these. It tasted somewhere between a cream and frosting, but not too sweet. Depending on the recipe, I think you can put anything from whipped cream, to cream cheese, to frosting, to mashmallow cream.

So if you are in West Kingston stop in and try one; I don't know the exact road but it is just around the corner from Kenyon's Grist Mill (a future post).

West's Bakery - Bismarck Doughnuts

Hope Valley, RI - I stopped in Hope Valley on my way to Allie's Donuts. At the time, I did not know that the name of the doughnut shop was called. I asked a few people if they know of a good doughnut shop and Allie's was mentioned a few times. But, one guy told me to make sure I went to West's Bakery and try the Bismarck doughnuts. This is a photo of the shop, it appears to be a local hangout. The guys standing out front were discussing hunting as I passed by.



The pastry case.



These are the Bismarcks that I was told about; they are a long doughnut split down the middle, a bit of jelly on the bottom, and then filled with a light cream...delicious! It was well worth the stop. If you are ever near Hope Valley, stop by and have one of these bad boys, you will not be sorry.

Allie's Donuts

North Kingstown, RI - I somewhere this week, it might have been Yahoo, that one of the top donut shops in the country was Allie's Donuts in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. I was planning on going to RI anyway so I made sure I stopped there. This photo is deceiving, all the cars are in the large parking lot to the right.



When I walked in there was a line to order, now this was about noon, I would expect a line earlier in the morning. This place must pump out a ton of donuts.



This is the donut case to choose from. My apologies to the worker that I caught as she walked into the shot. With this many people waiting for the delicious donuts I did not dare hold up the line for another photo.



Another thing they do here is make "Donut Cakes". They come in different shapes, this one is a car, I did see others that were shaped like BIG donuts.



If you are in the area, be sure to stop in and sample some of these delicious donuts. I had a glazed which was fresh and and soft, just like a good glazed donut should be. Also, I had cinnamon donut which had just enough crispness on the outside and was dusted with cinnamon mixed with powdered sugar.

Allie's is located at 3661 Quaker Lane in North Kingstown, RI.
You must call ahead to order cakes, 401-295-8036.

Autumn Road

Somewhere in Rhode Island - I was driving down this road and thought I looked very autumn like.

Cabot Farm Tour

Last weekend Cabot Cheese was holding am "Open Farm Tour" of farms that belong to the Cabot Cooperative. I toured two farms in Rhode Island and took a few photos.

The first farm was The Meadowburg Farm in Wyoming, RI run by brother and sister Francis and Rita Kenyon.

One of their barns.


Rita is describing something while giving a tour.



Cabot passed out these, "Poop Booties", if you did not want "Meadow Muffins" on your shoes.



A two week old calf in "Jail".


The other farm I visited was the Panciera Farm in Westerly RI.

Their Barn.



These are their cows, they sold all their cows a few years ago and are starting to build the herd back up.



Oh yes, there was a goodie table with "Got Cheese?" stickers, brochures, Cabot Cheese Samples, and even Corn Chowder.



This calf was born the day before...add one more to the herd.

Spooky Looking Church

Peru, MA - I took a ride with my "Boys" to Peru MA, just to see what it looked like. It was on Halloween and it was a dreary and rainy day. I found that there was not much to photograph, in what I think was the center of town was this church and a fire station. I think this photo is fitting of what kind of day it was and being Halloween.