Chuck talks with cousin Bob Crosby

It seems almost like a family reunion, but it’s really the Mint Grower’s Picnic sponsored by the local bank in St. Johns, Michigan.  The picnic marks the beginning of the annual Mint Festival, which is held at the fairgrounds and the adjacent city park.  It’s a lot of fun for everybody and has been a family tradition since the festival’s inception.

Sylvia’s great grandfather Crosby introduced mint to the area many years ago.  It is now a major farm crop in that area.  The Crosby family still raises mint and runs a still to extract the mint oil.

Sylvia’s mother was the first mint queen.  (How many of you have had a former beauty queen for a mother in law?)  Sad to say, Mom passed away 10 years ago.

I always look forward to talking to the Crosby cousins.  Bob’s wife, Ginger, is into genealogy and family history and we like to compare notes.  Ginger was unable to attend the picnic this year, so I gave Bob a summary of Sylvia’s family line and history.  (In the photo, you can see it in his hand.)  Linette is a blogger (The Mint Farmer’s Daughter) so we have no problems finding lots to talk about.  The story of how she and her brother were able to save the family farm is nothing short of inspiring and uplifting.   Many other stories flow out of the Crosby family farm.  Like the trip through the drive through that ended up in connecting with a woman whose best memories in life are tied to that farm.  A short conversation ended up in bringing a family back together.  But that is a story for Linette to tell.  I hope she will do that for us soon.

I’m sure you can see why we look forward to the Mint Festival and especially to the picnic.  Doesn’t that sound like fun?