On their last studio album, “Burnt Weeny Sandwich,” the Mothers of Invention announced it was indeed their swan song by posting, “The Mothers of Invention regret to inform you.”
Yes, it was a pun.
I was reminded of regret Thursday afternoon whilst motoring to Hastings and observing so many roadside corn stands, obviously selling local food raised by local people. I customarily have been supportive over many years of the process of local crop raisers and livestock keepers selling their wares, and I’ve long enjoyed food obtained at local farmers’ markets.
It has been often that I have commented that local food grown nearby and raised by neighbors is far superior to that there “store-bought” stuff, like we’re forced to buy during most of the year.
This is the time of the year that we Michiganders harvest our own gardens, good things from the gardens of nearby farmers or community members.
It was about 20 years ago that I absorbed a serious and worthy challenge to these suppositions.
The owner of the S & S Farm Market along M-37 between Middleville and Hastings called me to protest a feature story J-Ad Graphics did about two local college boys who were spending their summer away from school to plant, grow and sell on the side of the road their corn.
The S & S owner told me didn’t see the fairness in making him pay for weekly advertising for the goodies at his market while at the same time publishing a free ad for the lads just down the road a piece.
For him it was a matter of economic fairness. For me, it was the attempt to tell a perky, positive story about a couple of enterprising young lads who showed the grit and determination to fund some of their education.
I told the S & S owner I didn’t even think twice about the consequences of publishing such a feel-good story, not different at all from the usual fare served up by the Reminder and the Sun & News.
I also told him very truthfully that I enjoyed his weekly ads, particularly the one he had published in June in which he ran a photo of himself with a good looking box of Michigan strawberries while insisting “This is is the good stuff” while dissing those who believe California strawberries are the biggest, best and tastiest.
I repeat, I wasn’t fibbing. I was impressed with his ad. He seemed to enjoy my commentary in my defense.
Regret hit me hard Thursday when I motored pass the S & S Farm Market on M-37. It had gone belly up long ago.
Not so long ago. I drive past every Tuesday on my way into Hastings to work. (Unless, of course, it’s winter in the Mitten and the roads are crappy. Then I opt for Chief Noonday!!) If my memory serves me, it’s only been a few years…maybe 3 or 4…that they’ve been closed. I also recall reading something about retiring on their sign.