"Aaaargh, they were out"...
 "I got there just in time yesterday" and "I went by but I was too late" are common refrains in Effingham right about now. No, they're not referencing a movie premiere. Or the latest fad to hit. Come mid-July and August, they're referring to Schottman's sweet corn, what the firefly, and many others, consider to be the tastiest sweet corn in the area.
Corn, also known as maize, is a cereal grain that is the most commonly grown crop in the Americas, producing over 332 million metric tons in the U.S. alone. Sweet corn, also called indian corn, sugar corn and sometimes pole corn, is one of several different types of food corn. It's particularly high sugar content is what makes it sweet, and its family is divided into three distinct types according to its genetic background: normal sugary, sugary enhancer and supersweet.
The sugary gene is responsible for the sweetness, tenderness and creaminess of the kernels. Normal sugary, or standard corn, is a garden staple for many home gardeners. It's best picked, cooked, and eaten right-away. The sugary enhancer hybrid has an enhanced sugar gene that greatly increases the sweetness, but retains the tenderness and creamy texture of standard varieties. Fresh from the garden, the taste of these hybrids surpass almost all of the standard varieties. The supersweet has even higher sugar content than their relatives, but taste is sacrificed slightly as the kernel is a bit tougher and not as creamy, which slightly reduces the actual "corn" flavor. Although you probably won't notice these differences too much when eating it fresh, you will notice it if you freeze or can the corn.
Depending upon the variety, sweet corn has a growing time of 58 - 92 days, and requires warm soil for planting, which means in our area it usually goes into the ground after May 1 and may continue to be planted through the first week in July. Corn planted successively, should yield into fall.
Now we can't tell you why Schottman's sweet corn is different, but it is. Whether it's their variety, their soil, or just the TLC that they put into growing it, there's definitely something that makes Schottman's sweet corn the one and only for many in the area. And recognizing a good thing when we know it, there's no reason for the firefly to mess with growing our own. Schottman's provide us with superior corn, picked fresh every day, and that's what we deliver to our diners. So don't worry if you're too late to get some at the stand, beginning in early August, we'll have plenty, delivered daily. Come and get it while it's here - like all good things, it will come to an end way too soon!
And fresh out of the churn... try our Sweet Corn Ice Cream....it's absolutely out of this world!!!
|
|
Social Media - the firefly's on-line!
In small communities like Effingham the grapevine is usually the swiftest method of communication. But with three out of four Americans having access to the Internet, and the increased accessibility in rural areas, communicating electronically has become a great way to spread the word. And the firefly, like many other businesses, has created some on-line information sites to try to keep our fireflies informed of what's new, what's happening, and what's on our menu.
Our website is our primary source of information, www.ffgrill.com. The menu is uploaded every day, and it's the place to catch special event menus and information on upcoming events, as well as past copies of the firefly e-zine. For those who use Facebook, we've created a Facebook page, thefireflygrill. Here you can become a fan, which means you'll be notified of every event as we post it.
If you're looking for daily menu updates, you'll want to follow us on Twitter, which we use almost every day to get the word out. It's a quick and easy way for us to send you the daily info in 140-words or less. And if you just want to poke around and see some of the happenings at the firefly, why not take a look at our Shutterfly photo gallery? Here we've posted some of our favorite pictures, and we're updating more as we come across them. And if you want to post some of your own, all you have to do is become a member of the site and upload your pics. We'll confirm that they're okay and post them to the site. It's a great way to share some of your special occasions!
Finding the best way to communicate with all of our fireflies is a bit of trial and error, but it's something that is very important to us. Please give us your feedback and let us know what you think, and there's other ways you'd like to see us get the word out.
|
So you've heard by now that last month's tasting was for the cats and dogs. Well, we have to admit that it's true...our event was a benefit for the Effingham County Humane Society. Fireflies and supporters joined us on a beautiful prairie summer night in our efforts to help raise money for the Society's new building. Guests mingled both indoors and out and marveled at the model of the new building. Together with co-sponsors Lyons Liquors and Koerner Distributing, we're happy to announce that we raised $1060 for the new building.
Thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed the evening! We love our fireflies! And Stella the dog (pictured above) and the rest of the dogs and cats of Effingham County thank you.
Sincerely,
Kristie & Niall Campbell
firefly grill
| |
| Upcoming Events
|
|
August
Well, the hot month of August is finally here.
And although many of you dine in the air conditioned comfort of the firefly, we'd like to remind you that with these cool nights, our dock is the perfect place to relax with friends!
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Our Chamber Member of the Month Award Ceremony from 5 - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15
have dinner @ the firefly before you enjoy Ethel Merman'sBroadway!
Thursday, Aug. 20
The Oak Ridge Boys usually stop by the firefly for dinner. Come by and catch a glimpse!
Friday, Aug. 21
No candy before dinner! Come enjoy a meal at the firefly before you see Baby wants Candy!
Saturday, August 29
Join us for dinner and drinks before you enjoy the sounds of Hal Ketchum
Show nights tend to be busy nights for us at the firefly, so please don't let us disappoint...call for dinner reservations in advance of the show!
See more at www.ffgrill.com |
Our drink of the month..
|
 |
The Fly Swatter!
Of course it's not the traditional fly swatter, it's the firefly version!
Our very own Fly Swatter is based on Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. Not our very own, but made by the Firefly Distillery. The world's first hand-crafted sweet tea vodka, Firefly comes from Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, where it's distilled four times and infused with tea grown on a plantation 4 miles away. Our mixologist bartender has put our own firelfy spin on it, creating a drink that is like no other.
Stop in
and have a swat today!
|
 Congratulations to firefly!
Chamber Member of the Month!
The firefly grill is proud to be the Effingham Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month for August!
The award ceremony is Wednesday, August 5th from 5 - 6 p.m. We'll be celebrating the firefly way with drinks and tastes for fireflies, so please come join the fun!
|
|
So long, farewell!
It's
hard to believe but with August here, it's time for many of our
younger fireflies to head off and/or back to school. We'll miss the
youthful exuberance and that special glow that they bring here, as well
as the constant, and consistent, laughter and smiles. We wish them all
well, safe travels, and good luck in their studies. We hope they'll
stay in touch via our social networking sites, and we're already
looking forward to their return!
And through the grapevine....
we know that the Oak Ridge Boys are HUGE firefly fans! They've dined with us after each performance in Effingham, and we have a suspicion that they just might make an appearance here again. No promises, but once again, you never know who you're going to see after the show...
|
|
|
|
