The snow crunched under my feet as I walked to the van last Saturday. The frigid temperatures were a sure sign that winter did not intend to give up just yet. I found solace in the fact that I was on my way up the river to visit another Artisan Bread Making Made Easy class at Betty Printy’s home in Bentonsport. There weren’t many people moving about as I headed up J40 for the bread making class, in fact other than one lonely fox, I didn’t see much movement of animals either. I guess they were huddled together wherever they could find a place to stay warm.
I had soon arrived at the Printy home, let myself in the front door and headed for the kitchen where all the activity was taking place. Betty and her daughter, April Ziegler, had a class of four people and were busy teaching them the proper way to make Artisan Bread. Many items were discussed and each student was allowed his or her opportunity to make a loaf of bread using the techniques presented. Everyone appeared to be about their business and from the laughter and conversations I could tell they were enjoying themselves. It is always fun to shoot pictures at this class because Betty has sliced bread ready to sample even before the class starts. Gee! Maybe that has something to do with my liking the class so much. Nah! Couldn’t be!
The middle part of the class time is not as exciting for those who are just spectators but the smell of fresh baked bread permeates the room and reminds us of the moment that is quickly approaching. Soon they will be opening the oven door to reveal those wonderful fresh baked loaves of bread. Each student waits with great anticipation and soon is marveling at the beautiful browned loaf that emerges from the cloche. Betty instructs them on how to measure the core temperature to assure properly baked bread and then the correct way to remove it safely from the oven. The satisfaction is written on every face as they proudly display their masterpiece. This is always a popular class and one that the men as well as the ladies enjoy.
Coming up in the Villages Folk School schedule are two classes being offered Saturday, Jan 29; Meg King’s “Intermediate Knitting” class and Pat Crawford’s “Printmaking” class. In February, Joy Hanson will teach another “Container Candles” class on the 5th. The next two weekends, Feb 12 and 19, Betty Printy and April Ziegler will again teach their popular “Artisan Bread Making Made Easy” class. Completing this month of classes is Vern Ramsey and his “Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave” class. This is a great time to fix that chair with the broken cane seat! Just call the school and register for Vern’s class and learn to cane like a pro.
2011 also features our first annual writer’s conference; The Villages Folk School Writer’s Conference 2011. This event being held on September 23, 24, & 25 will not only feature New York Times Best Selling Authors but literary agents, publishers and many other experts in the field of writing from around the country. We encourage you to get your registration in early because this event will have limited seating and we expect it to fill up quickly. Contact us at the folk school office for more information. Our phone number is 319-592-3700 or you may go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and check out our class descriptions, artist bios and more.
The Villages Folk School offers you the chance to ‘live the arts’ in Van Buren County along side one of our gifted artist instructors. Call us at 319-592-3700, register for your class and get ready to experience the thrill of a lifetime.
