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NORTH SALEM, N.Y. North Salems annual three-day Ruth Keeler Memorial Library Fair has been blessed with perfect weather so far, and it promises to continue through the weekend.
Festivities got started Friday evening, when guests at the preview party were treated to wine and hors doeuvres, created by some of North Salems best cooks. Among the choices were chopped liver from John Steele Gordon, icebox shrimp from Lois Lippmann, Bernie Francis In-My-Head fishcakes and Richard Kosers hummus bi tahini (chickpeas with sesame paste).
At least 125 people attended, said Library Director Carolyn Reznick. There was lots of laughter, lots of hors doeuvres and lots of fun. People stayed until we kicked them out.
Saturdays events kicked off with a bike ride around Titicus Reservoir, for which the Police Department closed the roads to motorists. Back at the library afterward, the cyclists were treated to a hot pancake breakfast, cooked up in old-fashioned cast-iron pans by Library Trustee Tim Purdy. Toward lunchtime, hamburgers and hot dogs were sizzling on the grills, while music by The Mommy and Daddy Band filled the air.
Elsewhere on the library grounds, people were poking through the scores of plants dug up and donated by local gardeners, on sale at bargain prices, complete with expert advice and, if necessary, even a hand in replanting them.
Community organizations in attendance included the North Salem Ambulance Corps, the Foundation for Learning and the Croton Falls Fire Department. Janice Hellwinkel and Jack Gress of the Lions Club supervised children as they constructed candy-filled poppers, earmarked to be delivered to the Montrose veterans hospital.
Inside the library long tables were practically sagging with used books, but not for long, as readers found old favorites and discovered new ones.
History books have been very popular, and the childrens stuff is flying out of here, Reznick said.
She noted that fewer paperback books had been donated this year. People arent buying them as much. Theyre reading e-books. Still, people are walking out with boxes of books, especially older nonfiction and books that arent available on e-books.
Thanks to Trustee Andrea Good, the popular poultry exhibit made a comeback this year.
It was very popular a few years ago, she said. And I think more people around North Salem are raising chickens these days. I hope its because they saw them here last time.
The fair is all about community, Good said. We try to showcase all the wonderful things that North Salem has to offer. Great gardeners, great talent, great people and great cooks.
The fair continues Sunday with a half-price sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Ruth Keeler Memorial Library is at 276 Titicus Road, North Salem.
Lucys IceBox Shrimp (recipe provided by Lois Lippmann)
5 pounds shrimp, peeled and cooked3 large onions, sliced into rings2 lemons, sliced razor thin
Put shrimp, onion rings and lemon slices in a flat pan and toss with marinade. Marinate in refrigerator at least 8 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve cold. Serves 20-25 as an appetizer.
Marinade
1½ cups oil1 cup vinegar1 tbs salt1 dozen pink peppercorns1 tbs celery seed1 tsp sugar6 bay leaves
Shake all ingredients well in a tightly covered, one-quart container. Pour over shrimp.
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