Recordpub.com - Around Deerfield by Sylvia Rawdon

When I was growing up, my family sold pumpkins the whole month of October. We all had to pitch in by picking them, then unloading them onto the barn floor. Each of us had to play salesman. The best part was counting the money each day.

At the end of the month, my dad would give each of us a portion of the proceeds. I usually spent mine on Christmas gifts (or candy), but once I started to drive, the money went for car insurance.

Each fall brings back these memories for me. I still plant a few pumpkins in my garden every year.

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With my family it was pumpkins, but here in Deerfield it's apple butter. The Deerfield Civic Association held its 34th Apple Butter Stir recently. The day turned out to be beautiful after a threat of rain in the morning. It was all-hands-on-deck to get the apple butter canned and ready for sale.

Also on sale that day were Italian sausage sandwiches (made by the Matt Woodford family), soups and stew (made by Midge Beal and crew), and apple fritters. (Jeanine and Samantha Murphy were in charge of that booth in my absence.) There were also many vendors on the grounds selling their wares.

Included in the day's activities was a ceremony to honor two past civic association members for their years of service. Plaques were given to the families of Mike Dean and Mary Jane Sutcliffe. Both of them are now deceased, but their years of dedication and hard work in our community did not go unnoticed.

The day ended, as it has in the past, with a concert by our own Deerfield Dandies.

The winning raffle ticket for the quilt was pulled. To her surprise, Carol St. Clair won the quilt this year. It is a beautiful piece of work put together by the Deerfield Quilters.

Many thanks to all who put this festival together. New recruits are always welcome. If you want to get involved, please call and I can get you in touch with the right person.

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Members of the Tyghtly Wounde Stryng Band, John Whitacre, left, and Dennis Kempthorne at the Old Town Hall.

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At a recent meeting, the Deerfield Historical Society hosted a night of early American music. About 20 people came out to enjoy the music of the Tyghtly Wounde Stryng Band at the Old Town Hall.

The highlight of the evening was an attempt at Contra dancing taught by Dennis Kempthorne, one of the band members. If you aren't into Contra dancing but just enjoy dancing, you can join the historical society every other Monday night at the new town hall and kick up your heels. (You never know when a talent scout from "Dancing with the Stars" will show up!)

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Eager dancers at the Old Town Hall are, from left, Don Sampson, Bill Westover, Jon Jackson, Dennis Kempthorne, who was teaching Contra dancing, John Whitacre, Linda Little, Jan Nance and Debbie Philabaun.

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There is extreme home makeover and there are extreme sports, but Jon Rawdon thinks there need to be "extreme hayrides."

This fall, as in the past 12, we host hayrides here on our property. Jon's crazy ride through the woods with our old diesel tractor and even older hay wagon scares the most daring.

Last weekend, our faithful friends from Graham Road Baptist Church joined us for their annual hayride.

There were about 50 people of all ages who came out from Cuyahoga Falls and Stow to sit around a campfire, eat and run around.

It's always a great evening, but I stay off the wagon!

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November tends to get busy, so mark your calendar now with the following events:

Nov. 3 -- Election Day

Nov. 6 -- Church supper at the Deerfield United Methodist Church

Nov. 14 -- Cemetery Bazaar and dinner at the Deerfield United Methodist Church. Proceeds go for the upkeep of our cemetery. Lunch is served at 11 a.m. and dinner at 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 2 and 16 -- Historical Society dances at the Deerfield Town Hall.

Nov. 22 -- Combined Thanksgiving service for all Southeast area churches held at Charlestown United Methodist Church. Open to the public.

Nov. 26 -- Thanksgiving Day. (Be thankful!)

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Call Sylvia Rawdon with Deerfield news at 330-654-4324.