Each month we’re shining a spotlight on great flavors from local farmers. Try something new for your tastebuds and let us know what you think! This month we’re introducing you to a great farmer right here in North Cove: Jay English @the English Cattle Company.

Looking for great meats for the grill this weekend? Need fresh milk, eggs, or bread for your mountain recipes? Stop by and say hello to Jay — he’ll take good care of you.

Please note: Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10–4 only.

There was once a General Store and Post Office located in Ashford. The building is still standing and is the old building with the “Antiques” sign south of the train track on 221. Otis Lonon, who lived on Swofford Road, ran the store for the last few years of it operation and provided clothing, pantry staples, hardware, farm supplies, and many other items. He had a penny bubble gum machine by the door and, if a child put a penny in and got a yellow speckled piece of gum, they could turn it in and get a nickel. The piece of gum went right back in the gum machine–probably touched by every grubby hand in the community in the 1960s. The post office was in the north end of the building and Lorene English was one of the last postmasters. She would be the great grandmother of Jay English who runs the English Cattle Company. Children could put their hand in the mail drop slot and she would give them a piece of peppermint candy. The zip code was 28603 and was later reassigned to an area of Hickory. Both the store and the post office closed in the early 1970s.