Food Notes isn’t gone, just a different format

When a reader said she missed Food Notes, I realized she probably wasn’t the only one wondering about this longtime Journal feature. 

It hadn’t occurred to me to discuss these small bites of news compiled in a single weekly food column. That’s because they are still on the food pages and online but in a different format.

The COVID pandemic changed a lot in 2020. Almost without exception, all food festivals, church suppers, restaurant wine dinners, tastings and brewery events, were cancelled. These were the bread and butter of our food notes. 

When there was news or events, I thought it notable enough to give it its own story. And I had the time. Without running around the state to dine out, I spent more time on my couch writing. From there I did interviews and kept you up to date on openings and closings. 

Do I miss my former colleague Janet Butler compiling food notes that would fill half a newspaper page most weeks? Absolutely. I miss her and I miss the vibrant food community that seemed to offer fun food things to do every day.

Now in the summer of 2021, things are looking up and there is more news to report.

The Charlestown Seafood festival which will happen Aug. 6, 7 and 8. More will follow. Some of the Church ladies are back cooking and baking for their bazaars.

But there’s still a lot of caution and that is understandable. We are not back where we were pre-pandemic.

Still, I will keep telling you what’s coming up in a manner that seems appropriate whether it’s blueberry or apple picking or a restaurant opening or closing.