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Footsloggers...Your Outdoor Headquarters Since 1971
For all kinds of weather and through every season, Footsloggers offers the finest in apparel, equipment and footwear for every outdoor setting; Plus the Climbing Tower.
www.footsloggers.com
Behind the Scenes Tours at Grandfather Mountain
See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears up close, and learn how we take care of these beautiful animals all year round. Join us for our educational Behind-the-Scenes wildlife habitat tour. Available on weekends for an additional fee. 828-733-8715.
www.grandfather.com
Peabody's Wine & Beer Merchants

The High Country's Largest & Finest selection of Wine & Beer, Wine Accessories, Cigars, Fine Cheeses, Luscious Chocolates and Gourmet Foods.

Event Planning, Stocking, Cellar Consultation and More!
FREE weekly Beer Tastings Tuesdays (5-7) Wine Tastings Thursdays (5-7) Saturdays (12-5).

1104 Hwy 105 (Boone)
www.peabodyswineandbeer.com
Summer Ski Lift Rides
Hiking & biking trails, summer lift rides, & the Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort. Golf and tennis open to the public within the Village of Sugar Mountain. Stay with us! A variety of lodging choices available within the Village as well.
www.skisugar.com/summer
THE WHITE GLOVE, INC., Cleaning, Organizing, & Interior Design

Time for SPRING CLEAN...get up the grime from winter! Spring Cleans start at $150. Regular cleanings run between $72 and $108. All supplies provided

or click here for details.

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July arrives and moves quickly
by Michael Rich

Latest Update: July 8, 2009


Zucchini are getting plentiful
The first week of July has come and gone, and it did it stealthily.

The month began with holidays approaching. Does anyone ever get anything done when the 4th of July weekend is just around the corner?

July 3rd was a state/federal holiday, so like many holidays, nobody worked the day before, and started leaving early on the 1st. Then there were folks who didn't work on the Monday after the 4th. I am still getting answering machines and unreturned calls on the Tuesday after the holiday. No wonder the month is flying by.

The garden is in full swing. We have been eating squash and zucchini and their blossoms for about 10 days now. We have enough plants to keep us in squash every other day without getting tired of them. We will have some to freeze for the winter as well.

Tomatoes and cucumbers are starting to go crazy. In the next week we will be eating serious salads. Combine them with lettuce and carrots that are plentiful, we will have our fill.

I received a catalog from Park Seed yesterday, and it reminded me that even though it is July, I have to start thinking about fall crops. Some of them will need to get in the ground in the next couple of weeks in order to beat the frost. A pretty amazing thought when the temperatures this week will hit the upper 80's.

One of my teacher friends looked at her calendar this week and was amazed that she only has a few weeks before she is back in school. What?!

So as the summer moves along quickly, tend those summer crops, plan for the fall, enjoy it all before the frost surely comes.


From the wildflower bed


A square of beans emerging


Cat leaving the wild birds alone for a change