Caledonia Peaches
August 20, 2009 by Dave
Filed under Kent County, Postcards From the Past
“Dear Friend, I received your letter a few days ago and will now try and keep my promise. We are canning two (2) bushels of peaches to-day and also expect the thrashers this P.M. Will P. came out last week and is around here yet, working for the neighbor today. Am very busy with my music at present. Suppose you’ll be coming home soon. Bye-Bye, Yours, Mary. “ (Undated )
It’s August and one doesn’t have to go far to find a supply of fresh, juicy Michigan peaches. U-pick orchards, farmer’s markets, roadside stands, and even grocery stores have this summer treat readily available.
Michigan ranks 6th in the nation for growing peaches, but did you know that the most widely grown variety of peach in the world, the Red Haven, was developed at Michigan State University?
The woman writing this postcard was canning 2 bushels of peaches and I am sure she enjoyed them all winter long. I don’t know much about canning peaches, but I know store bought canned peaches can’t begin to compare to the ones my mother canned when I was a child.
I probably won’t get any home canned peaches this year, but I am hoping for a fresh peach and blueberry crisp with vanilla ice cream!
