John Sayers
Special to The Lake Report/Niagara Now

On Saturday, Aug. 30, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can have a hot experience at Grace United Church.

Yes, it’s the annual festival market, featuring a vast array of jams, jellies and sauces plus a bake sale, treasures sale and a silent auction. Either before or after, treat yourself to a breakfast at the food tent.

So, what is particularly hot? It’s habanero sauce.

Among the jams, jellies and marmalades made lovingly by specialist members of the congregation, you will find habanero pineapple sauce, in an exciting Just Darned Hot version.

We know that there is a wide range of commercial stuff out there, but this home-made version is something special.

There’s only a limited-size batch of these hot wonders, with spicy red pepper jelly for the more timid gourmands.

Into each life a few flames should fall but keep a glass of cool water within easy reach.

Let’s start with red currant jelly. It’s hard to find because the work in picking and processing those small berries from the limited number of bushes in today’s commercial plantings makes this a hard-to-find treat on store shelves.

So, treat yourself or a beloved granny with a jar of red currant jelly.

And how many quince bushes do you see today? Odd-looking because it’s sort of pear-looking, or shaped like perhaps a peach, or even an apple.

But it’s not a “papple” — it’s a quince, and an old-fashioned jam favourite.

This year, as well, we have traditional favourites like Seville orange and other tasty marmalades, Saskatoon berry jam, gooseberry jam and the legendary Colonial Sauce. We have often run out of Colonial Sauce and Saskatoon berry jam.

The early bird gets the best selection. The early bird also gets the first selection of the home baking.

It’s true that you can’t find many truly home-baked goodies these days. But you will at the Grace United bake shop.

Cookies, pies, cakes and muffins are just a few of the choices made with loving care by members of our congregation. We don’t have any pictures, because (surprise, surprise) the goodies have not been made yet.

The silent auction returns this year because of its popularity. There are great opportunities for the canny bidder, or the chance to buy it now for the impatient.

The organizers are putting together an enticing range of unique goods and services, including jewelry, baskets of premium wine and treats (how about a rare 2009 classed growth Margaux from a local private cellar), an afternoon tea for four at a fine restaurant, and other special experiences.

And you won’t want to miss the annual treasures sale. Early hot items that have arrived include solid brass bookends, Orrefors glassware, a vintage George Jensen carving set, a large old cast iron pot and a vintage View Master collection.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Aug. 30, and join us for authentic hot sauces, jams, baking, breakfast, a treasures sale, a silent auction and farm-fresh fruit and vegetables.