Dinner in the Orchard
– a taste of local fare

Wes and Marlene Isom, of Isom's Orchard and farm on US  Highway 72 in Athens, will celebrate 30 years of marriage this year. Instead of running off to some exotic locale they are giving back to this community in a big way. Wes's mother, Jo Ann, worked for 44 years at Athens-Limestone Hospital and 35 of those years were in the Emergency Department. Developing a fundraiser to benefit the local renovation project in the department became their obvious choice for giving back. The next decision was how to make it happen and Marlene had long been dreaming of an event in their peach orchards in the fall.   

On the grounds of his 280 acres, John Wesley Isom has carried on the traditions of his farming history, deepened his roots in this community, and depended on God and the changing seasons of Mother Nature. Marlene and Wes are no nonsense people and they know what they know. Locally grown food is one subject on which they are experts. Hospitality is another. Marlene has an easy, huggable sort of disposition and on several occasions this has caused me to tell her many of my innermost thoughts as I stood before her buying peaches and tomatoes. With her twinkling eyes and infectious laugh, she strikes me as a true American with a warm Alabama heart, yet she also carries within her a European state of mind in regard to her passion for fresh food. Marlene has the attitude that food is life and not just something to be consumed.  She further recognizes that appreciating the joy of friends spending time savoring wholesome food should never be trivialized or commoditized. Simply put, Marlene Isom is a foodie and a romantic to boot. So as Granddaddy Joe Isom planted some special lettuce, the wheels were put into motion to put together an event supporting community, locally grown fresh food and an elegant dinner with friends in a peach orchard in the fall.

The special event called 'Dinner in the Orchard' will take place on October 15, at 4 pm, and you may purchase the $100 tickets on one day only, September 10th, starting at 9 am, at Isom's Orchard & Vegetable Stand on US Hwy. 72, in Athens. All proceeds from this event are to go to the Athens Limestone Hospital Foundation and are for the Emergency Department renovation project. Although some secrets still remain regarding the menu, there will be locally grown foods and Alabama cheeses and wines to savor.

It is also rumored that dessert will be apple cake with homemade honey cheese ice cream. If you are fortunate enough to attend, you are asked to bring your own dinner plate to the event. Parking will be available near the highway entrance and golf carts will be ready to transport guests deep into one of the most pristine and peaceful spots in Alabama. Arriving in the orchards, you will be welcomed by the distinguished musicians known as Consort A L'Ancienne, playing the music of the 1700's and dressed in period costumes. With Renaissance music playing in the distance, wine glasses clinking, and delicious locally grown foods being served in the brilliant Fall orchards, one will certainly want to tuck this event into their little box of special memories to savor like good food and good friends.

What we know…. Dinner in the Orchard- Oct 15th @ four o’clock in the afternoon.

Expect to enjoy these special treats from Alabama:

Belle Chevre Cheeses – Tasia Malakasis, Elkmont

Humble Hearts Farm (goat cheeses)- Paul Spell, Elkmont

306 Bar B Q- Hwy 72, Athens- apple pork tenderloins

Mary Stephenson-salads, soups, and sides to be determined by Mother Nature.

Isom’s Honey-produced by John Horton

 Morgan Creek Wines-Harpersville, Al

 Wills Creek Wines- Attalla, Al

 Vizzini Farms Wines- Calera, Al

 Grissom Cellars- Wines produced with Isom’s Orchard grapes

 Tickets- available one day only- September 10th @ Isom’s Orchard on US Hwy 72- 

starting at 9 am, until they are sold out.

 

By Diane Lehr
256-656-6588
August 31st, 2011