Memories of Bluffton daffodils, hopes for Hampton County’s new agriculture campus

When we moved to Bluffton, oyster harvesting was a big part of the local economy. At the time, Bluffton was also an agrarian community. Many crops and flowers were grown here.

There was a very large daffodil field on Highway 46 where the RV park is, across from the entrance to Palmetto Bluff. In the spring the field burst with cheerful yellow blooms. Migrant workers were brought here to pick the flowers that were to be shipped north for Easter. In a matter of days, the field would be plucked clean, except for an overlooked few.

It was indeed a gorgeous sight when they were all in bloom. When the property was to be turned into an RV campground, people were allowed to come to the field and dig up as many bulbs as they could. Every spring I see a little yellow beacon to remind me of what was.

The Ulmer family had fields of vegetables on their property in Buckingham, beyond where Bluffton Parkway now is. They too had crews of migrant workers to pick the crops. After the workers had finished, those who wanted could pick the leftover beans and other crops, and often I took the children. We had lots of fun.

In winter the Buckingham boat landing saw a great flurry of activity. Oyster men would set out in their wooden bateaux to spend hours harvesting oysters. We lived on the banks of Mackays Creek at the time, and we watched as the men used long wooden poles to move through the creek in search of their prize.

It was almost always early in the morning and very cold as they drifted by in the mist. It was an amazing sight. When they were back at the landing, a very big truck would be waiting to load the oysters for a journey to faraway places.

Those were the early days of our decades here. I would not change that innocent part of Bluffton.

I was thrilled to see the news that Hampton County will have a wonderful farming operation. The agriculture technology campus will use different methods of farming than we knew, but all sorts of vegetables and flowers will be grown. I just hope they will let us come and pick vegetables — or at least peek in the greenhouses.

Hampton County needs this, and it will be a great economy boost — one that is clean and will supply lots of jobs.

Beauty of a ginger jar

I adore the colors blue and white, and I am not alone. We can thank the Chinese and later the Dutch for the marvelous combination. Ginger jars are a favorite vessel the colors are used on. A very rare ginger jar can cost as much as a Rolls Royce.

Ginger jars were originally designed to store spices and other herbs. Ginger, too, of course. In the early days of our existence, the jars were the only way to carry or store items. Enter into history pottery, glass, china and baskets.

Of course ginger jars do come in other colors ...yellow ones were thought to have a connection to the emperor of China. I have one I love that is chartreuse the children gave me. Blue and white isn’t going out of style anytime soon.

Let the good times roll

A new treat is in Bluffton one you will love. River Road Cafe has opened in Sheridan Park in the space once housing Walnuts Cafe.

If you want a real taste of New Orleans, scoot over to the “River” Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. They serve the real deal, so laissez your bon temps rouler.