Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Country Acres South • Page 1 PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #278 Madelia, MN 522 Sinclair 522 L Le Lewis eewis Ave Sauk uk Centre MN N 56378
SOUTH Saturday, November ber 18, 2023
Focusing on Today’s Rural Environm Environment ment m
Volume 2, Edition ion 12
a m d n a Gr
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
made
Mary Speltz holds fresh-baked bread Sept. 18 in her kitchen at her home near Altura. Speltz started baking bread in 4-H as a child.
Speltz bakes, cans for farmers markets BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER
ALTURA — A heart as warm as her fresh baked ke ked bread beats inside Mary Speltz of Altura. Speltz is a retired dairy farmer, mom, grandma and a d great-grandma who has been bringing her baking and d cann ccanned ned goods to farmers markets for about 25 years. “It gives me a purpose, a good feeling to have this to t do,” d Speltz said. “(It) keeps me busy, keeps me out of mischief.” Speltz said the smiles on customers’ faces as they see ee the homemade baked goods gives her a sense of pride. The magic happens inside Speltz’s well-organized kitchen. c chen. Spacious counters provide ample space to work, and plenty of cupboards open o to reveal neatly stacks pans and cooking supplies. “You really have to be organized,” Speltz said. “(It is) kind ki of the secret of it.” Speltz moves about her pristine kitchen with ease as she bakes b bread, taking pans off rising dough from underneath cheese cloth towels and popping ng them into the oven. Over the sink, Speltz bastes oil onto the light golden crustss of her freshly baked thre threeecheese bread using a small paint brush. Then she tucks them under n nder cheese clothes again to perfect the crust. When the timer for the oven rings, it takes just a quick look in the oven for Speltz to o know if the bread is ready or not. Mar y Speltz holds a jar of her wine jelly Sept. 18 at her home near Altura. The stars inside are naturally occurring. Speltz makes the jelly out of Moscato.
Speltz page 2
Mary Speltz bastes oil Sept. 18 onto the crust of her threecheese bread in the kitchen at her home near Altura. The oil helps perfect the crust.
Light gleams off of canned goods Sept. 18 at Mary Speltz’ home near Altura. Speltz said staying organized is one of the keys to her operation.
ST R
Publications bli ti The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
This month in the
COUNTRY: Watch for the next edition of Country Acres on December 2, 2023
5
Thankful Amy Kllo Column
6
Gobbling and Growing Lanesboro
11 Oh, Christmas tree Oronoco