Riverside Farm & Cottage

05/06/2026

This Saturday! Make sure to stop by and stock up on Plants and treasures for Mother's Day!!!!

05/06/2026

We asked about a stack of glass a few days ago... Here is the finished piece, a honeycomb with bee.

03/25/2026

Spring is springing in Southern West Virginia! ❤️

03/22/2026

Taking a stroll at one of our favorite Sunday morning spots! The Pence Springs Flea Market is only 15 minutes away and always has some cool items!

09/24/2024

Yum

The pawpaw, often referred to as "America's forgotten fruit," holds a special place in the history and culture of Appalachia. Found growing wild in the forested hollers and riverbanks, this small, greenish-yellow fruit has been a cherished food source for Appalachian families for generations. Pawpaws are the largest edible fruit native to North America and have a soft, custard-like texture, with a flavor often described as a cross between a banana, mango, and melon.

The pawpaw tree thrives in the rich, moist soils of Appalachia’s woodlands, where it grows in the understory of larger trees. Historically, the fruit was a valuable source of nutrition for Native American tribes and early settlers, who relied on its seasonal abundance each fall. For many Appalachian families, pawpaws provided a sweet treat in a time when fresh fruit was often scarce. Harvested in late summer and early fall, the ripe pawpaw’s rich, tropical flavor and creamy texture were a welcome addition to simple diets.

One of the reasons the pawpaw has remained somewhat elusive outside of Appalachia is that it doesn’t travel or store well. The fruit is highly perishable and best enjoyed soon after picking, which means it has never been widely cultivated on a commercial scale. Instead, pawpaws are typically foraged by those lucky enough to know where to find them, often passed down through generations of families who have kept the tradition alive.

In Appalachian folklore, the pawpaw is more than just a fruit—it’s a symbol of the region’s connection to the land. Families would gather to pick pawpaws in the early fall, and the event was often a communal experience, celebrated in song and story. The pawpaw even makes appearances in Appalachian folk music, with the old-time tune "Way Down Yonder in the Pawpaw Patch" still a favorite among mountain musicians.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the pawpaw, as chefs, foragers, and food enthusiasts rediscover its unique flavor and history. Appalachian farmers markets and local festivals now often feature pawpaw-inspired recipes, from pawpaw ice cream to pawpaw preserves. For those who have grown up with the fruit, pawpaws evoke memories of childhood, family gatherings, and the changing seasons in the Appalachian hills.

The pawpaw is more than just a fruit; it’s a living piece of Appalachian heritage, a reminder of the region’s deep connection to the land and the resourcefulness of the people who have called these mountains home. Whether eaten fresh off the tree or in a favorite family recipe, the pawpaw remains a treasured part of Appalachia’s culinary and cultural landscape.

09/13/2024

Don't forget some kitten supplies when you visit Old World Libations when you visit this weekend!!!! They will be collecting donations for the month of September.

08/20/2024

03/24/2024

How awesome. Chris and his wife are a such a treasure to have in our small community. ♥️

Board member feature - Chris Chanlett is a long time board member with a wealth of knowledge about the Greenbrier River watershed and it's history. He leads team #5 on the lower Greenbrier river between Alderson and Hinton, gathering water samples and data for our long term water quality project in collaboration with the WVSOM. Chris will be at our Watershed Celebration Day on April 20th, at Lost World Caverns, so look him up to chat about all that's going on. "Chris Chanlett moved to a farm in Summers County in 1975 and still farms there most everyday. With his wife he operated Groundworks Nursery near the Greenbrier River for 30 years. He participated in the founding of the GRWA; then worked with Friends of the Lower Greenbrier for many years until it folded back into GRWA. He has coordinated Adopt-a-Highway for Route 3 along the river since 1998. Chris wrote an environmental history of the Greenbrier River that appeared in the summer 2023 Goldenseal magazine."

03/22/2024

So cute!!!!

These little guys are sooooo excited for our Dragon Tea Party on Sunday, that I caught them preparing early! There's plenty of time till Sunday little ones, don't worry :)

03/16/2024