PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Students On Stage
Waccamaw Elementary School students participate in the theatrical production of "Nicholas
Nickelby" on Nov. 2, presented by the Connecticut-based theatrical company the Hampstead Players,
which tours the southeastern and southwestern United States. Pictured (from left ) are David What ley,
actor; Terry Chestnutt, assistant principal; A manda ttland, sixth-grade student; Matthew Wright, fifth
grade student; and Sean Quinn, actor.
You Can Cure Sweet Potatoes At Home
Nothing smells better or whets the
appetite more than the aroma of bak
ing sweet potatoes on a cool autumn
evening^ A slice of com bread, a
howl of steamed collards, and a
baked sweet potato is a healthy and
delicious meal 71* sweet potato is
nily a Tine food, although often ma
ligned by those not knowing all of
its outstanding qualities.
Native to the tropical Americas
the sweet potato <lp?mo<-a batatas)
root has found a secure place in the
economy and culture of North
C arolina. The sweet potato is a
member of the morning glory family
(mv<>l\ulai eae), a relationship that
is quite obvious when the viny habit
of the plant and the moming-glorv
like flower arc observed North
( arolina grows more sweet potatoes
than nearly any other state
Some of our northern neighbors
refer to the sweet potato as the yam.
but this is incorrect Yams are a dif
ferent species of plant that arc typ,
y g??wn in the tropics There is
no comparison in eating quality
yams are quite dry and starchy in
comparison with the sweet potato
ror serious sweet potato lovers, here
a few tips to make those com
plex carbohydrate-filled roots better
eating
Sweet potato harvest starts in late
September and continues up until
frost. Special care must be taken
when digging sweet potatoes to
avoid damaging the tender outer
skin. Broken or bruised potatoes arc
especially susceptible to soft rot
when stored improperly.
l-ong-term storage of sweet pota
toes requires that the roots be cured
In large commercial operations, spe
cial bams arc constructed which al
low the temperature and humidity to
be closely regulated A temperature
of 80 to ?#) degrees Fahrenheit and a
humidity of 85 percent is near opti
mum for curing Roots remain in the
curing barn until they develop a
tough, leathery outer skin
Properly cured sweet potatoes
have higher sugar content, store for
a longer period of time and can be
shipped with minimal loss Curing
sweet potatoes will also allow the
foot to heal any damaged areas re
ceived during harvest
Hie curing of sweet potatoes can
easy be accomplished by the home
gardener with a little extra care.
Sweet potatoes cure best when
spread out on newspaper in a area
that allows good air circulation.
Separate and spread out freshly har
vested potatoes and prohibit them
from touching each other.
Depending on the conditions, natur
al curing will normally occur in two
to live weeks.
Periodically check and remove
any roots showing signs of rot.
Areas that can be suitable for curing
sweet potatoes include the attic.
THE
PLANT
DOCTOR
C BRUCE
WILLIAMS
Extension Arm
TwfSptcwUst
basement or outbuildings. Oncc
sweet potato roots have developed a
tough outer skin, they can be gently
transferred to an open basket and
stored for winter.
Optimum storage for sweet pota
toes is different from nearly any oth
cr fruit or vegetable. Sweet potatoes
store best at a temperature of 55 de
grees and a relative humidity of 50
to 70 percent A pantry or basement
will usually provide satisfactory
conditions, but a bare earth root cel
lar is best. Roots should be disturbed
as little as possible, since handling
increases the spread of soft rot and
other storage diseases. Do not allow
your cured sweet potatoes to freeze.
For additional information on va
riety selection, growing and storage
of sweet pirtatoes. check with your
county Cooperative Extension
Scrvicc or send me a self -addressed
stamped envelope.
Send your gardening questions or
comments to the Plant Doctor, Box
IW, Bolivia NC 2X422.
Weekly Crossword
CLUES ACROSS
1 . Drive away
4. Combat
8. Meat flavoring
9. Nude
10. Stay
1 1 . Viscous
12. Cargo boat
13. Remnant
16. Exit
19. Circus jesters
23. Stranded
26. Glitter
28. Trot
29. Diffident
30. Following
31. Droop
32. Entertain
33. Mistake
(Answers are on
CLUES DOWN
2. Card game
3. Boarders
4. Pursue
5. Lordly
6. Clan
7. Perfume
9. Illustrious
14. Cow noise
15. Convent sister
17. Silence
18. Self esteem
20. Traveler's bags
21. Sully
22. Rearrange
23. Caper
24. Send
25. Excessive
27. Change
Page 7-C)
FALL SALE
thru Nov. 30
Factory Direct Prices
Furniture
Come see our new line of distressed furniture as well
as our featured oak and pine furniture. We carry a i
complete line of furniture for the entire home!
We ship coast to coast ? Layaways Accepted;
(7-vsi 10152 Beach Dr. (Beside Post Office) Calabash, NC mmmjm *1
910)579-7095
WfcV* ,,
.. - ?' ?' ?-??
Calabash Acres Yard Chosen
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
The home of Thomas and Marge Stockner, 1136 Charlotte Ave., was named November " Yard of the
Month" in Calabash Acres. Their well-groomed lawn features a variety of flowers and shrubs; the
backyard faces a fishing pond.
IIHIIWIIM
The Right Place at the Right Time
come and see why at our face-to-face reception
? Wilmington
November 2 1
Hilton
301 North Water St.
7 pm - 9 pm
Free food, fun, and door prizes for hi%h school juniors, seniors, and their
parents. Talk with our faculty aiui students about educational opportunities
at UNCQ. Call 1 -800-323-UNCG to reserve your D'ace. Talk to a "real :r?son" 8-5 weekdays
Leave a voicemaii message alter 5 pm.
n ff. UNTVfcKsrrY of nokh i caroiina
;rf.rnsroro
$1.00 WQRLD
EVERY ITEM IN THE ENTIRE STORE IS JUST $1.00 EACH
Large Xmas Bows
?
Toys
Xmas Gift Wrap
Books
Housewares
THOUSANDS
OF ITEMS
JUST $1.00 EACH
@v=
Kitchen
Hair Accessories
Ceramics
Earrings
Shoe Boxes
SHALLOTTE
SHALLOTTE
754-3101
PLAZA-ACROSS FROM SIZZLIN SIRLOIN
ALSO IN HOLDEN BEACH HOLDEN BEACH
NEAR THE STOPLIGHT holdenbeach
Holden Beach 25th Anniversary
Collectible
Sweatshirts
Still Available!
Stop by and pick up
your collectible sweatshirt at:
L Bookworm
Holden Beach Enterprises
Holden Beach Properties
UCB
The Lighthouse
Or send *$18
plus $3.50 for postage
and handling to:
L Bookworm
3004 Holden Beach Rd.
Holden Beach, NC 28462
?add $2.00 for XXL size
Make checks payable to: GHBMA
7380 for more information