Metzgers Serving Leeks!

We went in search of leeks yesterday but came home empty handed. Perhaps it's a bit early to see them emerging from their forest hiding spots.

Our neighborhood Hebron Grange was reportedly the first in the Potter County area  to offer leek suppers beginning in the 1930s.  Cooked leeks served with plenty of ham and other homemade side dishes were the attraction.

From Potter Enterprise: 7 April 1949

Leek eaters, ATTENTION!

 

Want to attend that famous Hebron Grange Leek Supper on Crandall Hill this year?

You'll have to get up on your toes if you do.

Last year the leek-hungry public almost mobbed the good ladies of the Grange who were cooing the fragrant(?) leeks in 20-bushel lots.

This year different arrangements are being made. You leek eaters have gotta get your tickets in advance or you don't eat leeks. Only 300 will be sold.

Folks in Allegany County, McKean County and Cameron County better write to Mrs. Wanda Metzger, R.D. 2, Coudersport, if they want to fill up on the stinking liliaceous vegetable that springs up in the wild lands of Potter County in the springtime.

The dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m.

Reservations must be in not later than April 28.

Costs a buck and a half for adults and half that amount for the kids.

Get tickets in advance or you don't eat. Guess that's tellin' 'em off.

From 22 April 1954, The Potter Enterprise

Leek suppers!

The season is here. Hebron Grange, originator of leek suppers, will hold its 20th such annual event Saturday May 1.

The Grangers have dug, cleaned, cooked hundreds of bushels of the popular odoriferous spring greens.

When other organizations observed the public taste for leeks, they joined the leek supper parade and now a half dozen such events take place each year.

The newspaper;s archaic custom of identifying women by their husband's name makes it seem
these women are the property of their husbands. So for the record, (left to right):
KATHRYN Thompson, WANDA Metzger, EVA Swift, GRACE Pepperman
and THELMA Metzger.

 : 

ADDENDUM:

from The Potter Enterprise, April 12, 1961:

Leek suppers –

Strange how Hebron Grange started a trend when it was a pioneer in serving leeks a number of years ago.

The idea caught on and the affair became so big that hundreds came to Crandall Hill to feast on the spring green, with plenty of other food.

The time came when each Grange family was assigned the task of hunting and digging a bushel of leeks. That was not all – he leeks had to be cleaned and washed. It was not a small task.

Now the picture has changed – Hebron Grange has resigned from the leek supper business. it is willing that others should carry on. The Grangers are too busy with other duties to dig leeks, wash them, cook and serve them.

Makes us a little sad to announce - No Hebron Grange leek supper this year.