THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140309
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHELLE MIZAL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 64 lines
Southampton folk know that real homemade blackberry jelly is hard to come by. It takes a lot of time to find the thorn-protected berries, pick 'em, boil 'em and strain 'em.
Meredith Edwards, 13, waited all year for the blackberries to ripen behind her parents' Branchville farmhouse. Her mission: to make a single, perfect jar of blackberry jelly to enter in Tuesday's 16th annual Canned Fruits and Vegetables Contest for youth at the Franklin-Southampton County Fair.
Two weeks ago Meredith's mother, Koren, told her to pick the blackberries. The grey August sky promised rain would ruin the berries if they were not picked in time.
Meredith picked the quarter-sized berries one by one, her fingers and fingernails stained purple-black by the berry juice. The plump berries came off the vine with a slight snap and were put in a yellow bowl.
These berries are special. They are from a small, thornless root that a neighbor, James Darden, gave the Edwards family seven years ago. Darden died last year, but his vine still thrives, stretched across two metal poles.
Meredith used the recipe her older sisters, Tavia, 18, and Emily, 17, used five years ago for their blue-ribbon goods.
That year, Meredith won a second-place red ribbon because the jelly didn't reach the rim of the jar.
This year, Meredith made four full jars. She entered the pretty one with fruit designs on the jar and a green-bordered label.
It was raining Tuesday when Meredith, her mother and the jelly arrived at the fair. The rain stopped just as Meredith marched the pint-sized glass jar inside and up to the table where three canned-food judges sat like grandparents watching in delight as a grandchild pulls a ``look what I did at school today'' picture from a book bag.
Erma Joyner, the middle judge, read the entry tag tied to the neck of the jar: No. 1133 Blackberry Jelly. Meredith Edwards. Branchville.
``Branchville? You're from Branchville?,'' Joyner asked Meredith.
``Yes,'' she answered in her soft, Southern voice.
``I know your dad. Kenny Edwards. This jelly really looks good. I haven't seen blackberry jelly in ages.''
Joyner held the jar at eye level, looking deep into the purplish-black gel. The two other judges watched carefully as she slowly turned the jar. Meredith nervously looked on.
Finally one of the judges tied a blue ribbon around the neck. There was no applause. Just the silent prideful delight in Meredith's mother's eyes.
Afterwards, Meredith placed her blackberry jelly on a shelf. A jar of strawberry jelly, entry tag No. 2562, sat to its right and a jar of strawberry jam, entry tag No. 2551, sat to the left.
All jars sported blue ribbons. But only one was blackberry jelly and it will be there throughout the weekend for all fair-goers to see. ILLUSTRATION: LIZELLE ESPINOSA
Meredith Edwards, 13, won a blue ribbon Tuesday for her homemade
blackberry jelly in the 16th annual Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Contest for youth at the Franklin-Southampton County Fair.
WANT TO GO?
When: 4 to 10 p.m. today through Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Southampton Agri-Civic Center in Courtland on U.S. 58.
How much: Admission $3, free for children 6 and under.
Call: (757) 653-2572. by CNB