PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
FREE
The Paper of Miami County
Published Weekly, Read Daily
The hunt is on By Michelle Boswell mboswell@thepaperofmiami.com
It’s that time of year. The trees are turning green, flowers are blooming and the hunt for the coveted morel mushroom has begun. Mushrooms are popping up all over Miami County and the hunt is on for those delectable delights hiding in local woods. For some, the elusive edibles are meant to take home and enjoy while others seek them out to sell to local retailers for extra cash. One Miami County man, Norman Pierce, has been hunting mushrooms for more than 40 years. “My step-dad started me (hunting mushrooms) back in 1975,” he said. Pierce, who has lived in Peru since 1967, was born in Texas. He left the area for 12 years to serve in the Navy. He dedicated 12 years in active serv-
ice with four years in the reserve and four in the Army Reserve. Like so many, Pierce enjoys being out in the woods. “The sights and sounds,” are what he says he enjoys along with the actual findings. Plus, he says he enjoys the exercise he gets from trekking around the woods. Although he said this year has not been as good of a harvest compared to other years that has not stopped him from looking. Pierce not only enjoys finding the mushrooms but sharing with neighbors and friends. “We eat what we want of them. I give my neighbors some. I send some to guys I served with that are from the Midwest and no longer live here. I have never sold, nor will I ever sell them. They only cost me my time and it is time well spent. God put them here for our enjoyment. Free for the taking,” Pierce explained. Pierce usually hunts alone since his wife; Lisbeth is not the outdoors type. “She loves to take the pictures. She documents all my finds,” he said. As much as he likes to find mushrooms, he also finds creative ways to eat them. “I like to coat them with egg and rolled Townhouse crackers. Add a little garlic angry in butter. Then cook them low and slow.
Colby Ch eese ... $2 .75/lb. Gouda C heese .. $3 .15/lb. Honey R oasted T urkey Breast ... ....... $3.8 5/lb. Hard Sa lami .. $3 .19/lbFREE . Prices Good May 7th-May 20th
But I have stuffed them with venison and baked them or have them raw in salads,” Pierce said. Pierce told a story about a special tool he uses when he mushroom hunts — a mushroom stick. But not just any stick. It’s one that is close to his heart and he believes it guides him to where he needs to look for the morels. He explained his story, and this is how it went. “You have a stick you take with you. Carved, not carved. Just a cane or a straight pole type. We all do. My stick was given to me by my stepdad. Not much. But he used it for years. He passed a few years back. Your stick is the soul and spirit of everyone who has hunted mushrooms. They are with you every step of the way. You count on that stick to help keep your balance. To keep you from falling. To roll the leaves and part the branches. Maybe even mark a spot that you found a mushroom as you check around for more. Sounds like a rod and staff that give you comfort? I use mine as a connection to my dad. I actually talk to it. I ask it to help me find the patch of mushrooms. It’s like still getting guidance from my dad. It helps me to remember him and give me that connection that was lost when he passed. I can’t go into the mushroom woods without it. Just my belief,” he explained. While Pierce has been hunting morels for over 40 (See Mushrooms, page 2)
Norman Pierce of Macy A morel mushroom
May 6, 2020
Proudly Serving Miami County
Hannah Montgomery of Peru
Vol. 1, No. 13