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Sorghum Molasses making on Weed Ridge

For the Loys, from off, it was a special privilege to be a part of a centuries old production process. It will be always an unforgettable memory, being at Pete and Steve Reliford's beautiful farm, at the very Top of the World, on a crisp fall, taking in the scenery, watching the fascinating manufacture, and being treated to the best lunch any sorghum mill hands ever had: Patty Reliford's Chicken & Dumplings with Peach Cobbler. It couldn't have been better at the Pendennis Club.
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By Tonya Loy

We were able to be spectators to a lost art, the making of sorghum molasses.

This event took place on the farm of Pete and Steve Reliford. They were gracious hosts to many people and allowed a few to sit at the picnic table with the Mayors of Weed, KY, the capitol of Weed Ridge.



Mike Loy, from off, was even allowed to participate in the ages old, disciplined protocol of Sorghum Making, and turned out to be quite useful, for an amateur to the Master Sorghum Makers: Steve Reliford, Pete Reliford, Billy Campbell and his wife Sue.

We had an unforgettable picnic feast. Steve Reliford's wife, Patty, made Chicken & Dumplings for the spectators, and that was followed by the best Peach Cobbler imaginable. Everyone's appetite had been whetted by the sweet aroma of the cooking sorghum.

Adding to the event was the perfect fall day and what must be the most spectacular autumn views on earth. The woods are beautiful from here. And unless you've looked out on the rest of the world from Weed Ridge, you haven't seen anything.

It was a process we were so honored to take part in.

For those who weren't able to be here for the making, the best part is yet to come. The finished product is now for sale! - Tonya Loy

Note: CM will post details for buying the product when received.


This story was posted on 2012-10-21 07:57:52
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Sorghum making time at Weed, Adair Co., KY



2012-10-21 - Weed, District 4, Adair County, KY - Photo by Tonya Loy.
Some real - done the slow, right way - sorghum molasses were produced this past week in Weed, KY, on top of Weed Ridge near the KY 80 overpass over the Louie B. Nunn Parkway. Mike Loy, seated, right, was allowed to participate. Mike is from off but the sincere good manners of the hosts permitted him some time at the table. Master molasses makers overseeing the operation were Billy Campbell, front and center, black hat Pete Reliford seated right front, and back row, from left Sue Reliford and Steve Reliford. - Tonya Loy

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Sorghum making time at Weed, Adair Co., KY: Tools of the art



2012-10-21 - Weed, District 4, Adair County, KY - Photo by Tonya Loy. Equipment used in sorghum making includes the huge metal cooking trough, stirring paddle, and skimmer - or so that's what we in-from-off folk learned in a wonderful glimpse into an art being carried on by Master Molasses makers Pete, Steve, and Sue Reliford, and Billy Campbell, in black hat somewhere nearby, off camera.
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Sorghum making time at Weed, Adair Co., KY: Boiling



2012-10-21 - Weed, District 4, Adair County, KY - Photo by Tonya Loy. The steaming, boiling molasses - Sorghum cane is being almost magically transformed from one of nature's sweetest juices into perfect sorghum molasses, boiling in the box, above and soon to be skimmed, strained and bottled into prized pint and quart containers, for sale, by Master Molasses makers Pete, Steve, and Sue Reliford, and Billy Campbell, in black hat, somewhere nearby, off camera.
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Sorghum making time at Weed, Adair Co., KY - Straining



2012-10-21 - Weed, District 4, Adair County, KY - Photo by Tonya Loy. Straining is one of the last steps of the process producing Sorhgum Molasses the old-fashioned way, the way it's done by Master Molasses makers Pete, Steve, and Sue Reliford, and Billy Campbell, in black hat somewhere nearby, off camera.
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Sorghum making time at Weed, Adair Co., KY: Into containers



2012-10-21 - Breeding, District 4, Adair County, KY - Photo by Tonya Loy.
The long-awaited finish in process: At last, the finished Sorghum Molasses is poured off into a pint Mason Jar, ready to be capped and sealed by Master Molasses makers Pete, Steve, and Sue Reliford, and Billy Campbell, in black hat somewhere nearby, off camera, if not one of the participants, above.

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Molasses are done at Weed, Adair Co., KY



2012-10-21 - Weed, District 4, Adair County, KY - Photo by Tonya Loy. A beautiful sight: Pints and Quarts of the Relifords' 2012 Sorghum Molasses, cooling on a car top, ready for buttered hot biscuits, accompanied by hot coffee and plenty of ice cold milk.
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