PIKE: Fall Pickin’ Days good for fun and fund-raising
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Big crowds at Fall Pickin’s Days
Beth Zumwalt/Pike Press
Steve Kessinger and his mother, Nadine, of Griggsville, keep a close eye on the Tornado Taters they sold at Midwest Vintage in the Pittsfield Industrial Park as part of the Fall Pickin’s day. The Kessingers had a line at their stand most of the day Saturday and although Sunday was lighter, they still were busy. Food is one of the items that brings people to the event and different types and styles are available throughout the county.
By BETH ZUMWALT
With perfect weather, and the desire of people to get out and enjoy the day, the Fall Pickins’ day was a huge success.
“It was a phonemail day,” Judi Sutton, who had her store open in El Dara. “My store was wall-to-wall people and the line for the food vendors wrapped around and went down the street.
Sutton said several vendors sold completely out, especially those offering food.
Beside the enjoyment of being out with family and friends, and some dogs, Sutton said she thought people really enjoyed the day which was reminiscent of it’s predecessor, Fall Color Drive, which disbanded a few years ago.
“Other than the long lines and traffic gridlock, it was a fantastic day,” Sutton said. “Just incredible.”
Helping the community, one piece at a time
By BETH ZUMWALT
Artist Megan Brawner Richard is doing what she loves and helping her community.
“I paint the picture, then have it made into either a 20, 300 or too pieces puzzle,” she said. “I recently did three bulls for Bryce Hubbard and he asked me to name the Pleasant Hill Junior High Football team as his charity.”
Beth Zumwalt/Pike Press
Megan Brawner Richard and her dog, Coby, was a stop on the Fall Pickin’s route. She was set up in Summer Hill. Richard paints pictures and has them made into jigsaw puzzles. She then donates a portion of the cost to a worthy charity. Her colorful barn quilt sign was painted for her by her sister, Morgan Deeder.
Currently, Richard is promoting a puzzle with a collage of seven dogs of different breeds, all locally owned. A portion of the sale of the puzzle will be given to the Pike County Animal Shelter.
The 20 piece puzzle comes in a resealable plastic bag, while the bigger puzzles come in their own tin box.
After a trip to Shark’s Tooth Island in Jacksonville, Fla, Richard has done a red rhino with beads, a sea turtle named Merve, a rooster and a queen. The puzzle is to raise funds for Richard’s friend, Echo Klitz’s son, Branch, who has a childhood cancer.
“Branch wanted the red dinosaur, his brother is called Merve, the rooster represents their dad, who is called Chief and the queen is Echo, who has on not only a nurse’s hat because she is a registered nurse, but a crown to remind her when she was Pike County Fair Queen,” Richard said.
“Branch gets a bead for every procedure he goes through, each shot, each treatment, everything, The beads show strength.”
When not on the Pike Pickin’s route, Richard can be contacted through her Animal House Art Facebook page, which links to her Etsy page. She also has Instagram.
