A country jaunt

Dashed up the Old Dixie Road Wednesday to check out the sunflowers and meet Gilliam Mayor Helen Adger at D. & I. Grocery, Belcher. I love out-of-the-way country spots and although the store has been open 33 years, and I’ve passed it hundreds of times, this was my first stop.

It is a darling store, with old wooden shelves.

And, dinner was divine. Owner Beth Belk served us a sampling of both the meat loaf and the roast beef. Both were delicious. So were the green beans, new potatoes and sweet tea. Ditto, the chocolate cake. The plate lunches ae $4.95, with varied menu. They also have a variety of sandwiches or buy some old fashion cheese and crackers and have picnic.

Are you a Ryan Farms fan? And do you wonder where they have gone. Well, they have moved from the Sentell Road and are selling produce in the middle of Dixie on the Old Dixie Road. They are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday.

The day we were by there, they were peddling tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe and corn. Coming soon: shelled peas and other produce. We’ll be back.

By the way, the sunflowers are going to be stunning Saturday for the Sunflower Trail & Festival in Gilliam.