COLUMN: Everybody Calls Me Jana Banana

If you know me, you know I can talk a lot, and I tend to be an open book. If I think it, I say it. And sometimes, all that talking can get me into a pickle.

By admitting that I dont like grits, I have quickly learned that in order to live here in Hartsville and promote this beautiful place, I have definitely got to find a way to like grits! I posted a request on Hartsville Today (www.hvtd.com) for help with brands, recipes, etc. and got all kinds of great ideas.

Have I actually cooked them yet at home? Sadly, no. I purchased a few brands from Bi-Lo and am going to get some of the local grits from Blizzard Branch Stone Ground Grits in Middendorf. I've gotten recipes from Audrey Childers, Brandy Zeller, Jon Shannon, Sherry Malphus and former Hartsvillian Ted King. Angie Ward swears by her favorite brand, The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Caroline Privette had the best advice of all. Don't try to cook them yourself! I kinda like that idea! Willie Bizzell is famous for his shrimp and grits, but since I don't eat shrimp, I may ask him if he would make a veggie version. Other folks recommended that I try them at Carolina Lunch, which sounds fun. I love going in there, too! We are so lucky to have such great restaurants in Hartsville.

What is it about grits that is so difficult for Yankees? Is it the taste? The texture? It's funny for me to hear people say they don't like oatmeal. I mean, oatmeal is just delicious to me! I love it with walnuts, cinnamon and honey. When I was growing up, my mom always fixed Cream of Wheat. I know that is probably the worst sounding food to a true-blue Southerner, but as a little girl on a cold morning, a bowl of Cream of Wheat with a lump of brown sugar melting with a bit of milk poured on top was how I got ready for school.

While preparing for my Great Grits Taste Testing, I've been busy with all sorts of things in Hartsville that I think you may be interested in.

RenoFest plans are ready for the end of the month. Just this week representatives from Hartsville and Chesterfield met at the Coach T.B. Thomas Sports Center for a meeting on establishing Green-ways, Trails and Blueways for more bike trails, walking trails and kayak/ canoe/boating adventures for healthy activities for our residents to enjoy. And if you haven't noticed the pretty corner by Mrs. Betty Wiggins' house, you're in for a treat – her flowers are just beautiful as we get ready for another gorgeous spring in Hartsville.

From eating grits to getting ready for spring, it sure is nice to live in South Carolina, but once again, talking about it got me into another pickle; when I bragged about all this spring activity to my family at home they were less than enthused. Maine has gotten even more snow, and they are due for another storm today. Guess who may have family come visit soon? I'd better learn how to fix grits!