I’M JUST CURIOUS: The meaning of “Unity”

by Debbie Walker

One of the definitions for the word Unity is ‘harmony.’ If the town fathers named the town of Unity for its harmony I’ll bet they never pictured this past weekend. The Common Ground Country Fair is the ultimate of proof of unity (harmony) in their little town.

Once a year, the third weekend of September, MOFGA sponsors the Common Ground Country Fair, in Unity. MOFGA is the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardener’s Association (Website is www.mofga.org/the-fair/schedule). If you weren’t able to attend and are curious that website is full of information.

It seems a lot of people look forward to the experience of the fair. In fact last year it is said that 60,000 people from all over the country were on those grounds. If you look up their website your questions as to ‘why’ will be answered. The content is amazing.

There is education of value to many different ages and interests. There are demonstrations to peak a curiosity into a possible serious interest. There are many activities for children of all ages. There are foods you may never have experienced before. There are also entertainers.

Unity is a small town surrounded by small towns. Sixty thousand people affect each one of these towns. It looks to me like this fair may be a little inconvenient, three days a year, for residents due to traffic, however it is great for the merchants of Unity. The surrounding town’s merchants must also enjoy the extra business brought their way with them doing little to no marketing for such. Today I saw something else.

On a day I was out riding without my yard sale/thrift store shopping buddies (and I was on my way to a meeting) I couldn’t believe all the yard sales set up in private yards and parking lots! Just think, all that traffic and they didn’t have to advertise. If I think of it next year I will try to remind everyone of the fun to be had at the Common Ground Country Fair or in surrounding towns!

I’m just curious about one activity. Who would and why would anyone want to be part of the Harry S Truman Manure Pitch contest? (It was listed on their site!)

In the spirit of the weekend I am adding these little jokes I found in Blum’s Farmer’s and Planter’s Almanac:

Gardening is cheaper than therapy……………and you get tomatoes.
A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.
How well is your garden going to grow? ………. Only thyme will tell.
Why did the gardener quit? ………… His celery wasn’t high enough.
Why didn’t anyone laugh at the gardener’s jokes? …………..They were too corny.
What’s the gardener’s favorite sport? …………..Squash
Why was the gardener so busy over the weekend? …….. He had a really long Honeydew list.
Garden Wisdom: ……. The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig.

OK, OK, now I am just curious if I will be allowed to write again! Thanks for reading, don’t forget about our website and please send me any questions or comments to dwdaffy@yahoo.com.