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  • Jessee Ferrell, freshman at Comanche High School, takes a bite out of his chocolate pie. Ferrell took a break from serving food to enjoy some homemade pie. David Laughlin

    Yum Pie
August 27, 2010

Baking happiness

Stephens County Free Fair has pies ready for all who come

David Laughlin The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — A pie on the plate is worth two in the pan. Nona Pennington and numerous other volunteers are making sure each piece of pie makes it to a plate at the Stephens County Free Fair.

Pennington is the Chairperson of the Pie Sales Board. The sweet treats offered up at the Stephens County Free Fair come in all varieties. Although each pie has a different recipe and ingredients, they all fall into the same category. Homemade.

The pies are crafted by members of the Stephens County Home and Community Educators. Five clubs take turns manning the pie fort at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center. The actual pie sales began Thursday and will conclude Saturday. The groups take turns working either from 11 a.m. to 4 to 9 p.m.

A medley of pies can be obtained for a nominal price. The pie baking process actually takes plenty of preparations. Pennington said she gets plenty of practice throughout the year to hone her skills. With nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, finding willing taste-tasters isn’t an issue for Pennington.

Pennington has been involved with the ever-evolving Stephens County Home and Community Educators for more than half a century. She began her membership in 1956. She said the group she became a part of had a different name than it does today, but its goal was the same, education.

“We had 24 clubs when I joined,” she said. “Today, we only have five.”

A mountain of pie is necessary to accommodate the appetite of those who file through the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center. She advised each of the participating groups to have at least 25 pies in stock for each shift. Each pie can fill the plates of six sweet-seeking patrons. She said entire pies can be purchased. “We haven’t had any complaints so far,” she said.

“I think I will continue to do this until I am unable to do so,” she said. “Homemade pies almost sell themselves.”



— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.

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