Jeff and Mike with one of the squash towers at the community garden on Hannah Branch Road. Mike took the lead on this innovative method of getting summer squash to grow up a bamboo pole--lots of pruning and tying involved. We've never had baby squash this late in the summer before. Mike will be glad to tell you all the details.
I started working part-time for Penland School of Craft sometime early in 1995. I went on staff in 1997, and it's been my place of work, my second community, and my second home ever since. My last day on staff at Penland was May 29. I shared my last day with Penland legend John T. Renick III, a.k.a. Big John, paragon of kindness, all-around good guy, and a crucial and calm presence in the Penland kitchen for 26 years.
John is moving to Athens, Georgia--for love! I will be staying home, having even longer conversations with Tammy, going on longer walks, playing more music, reading more books and New Yorker articles, spending more time in the garden and more time with my excellent friends, and also doing some work for Penland (mostly from home).
Someone asked if I had big plans for my retirement, and without even thinking, I said, "No, I have small plans."
Thanks, Penland. It's been great.
