Growing up in south Louisiana at a time when sugar was king we are very familiar with sugar cane fields. While visiting north central Tennessee we saw fields of what looked like sugar cane. We knew it could not be and learned it was sorghum cane. If we wanted to see old time sorghum cane grinding, we were told to go to Muddy Pond on a Saturday.Muddy Pond is home to an Amish-Mennonite community. Although there are no supermarkets, gas stations or fancy restaurants, the community offers a variety of businesses for shopping and eating. Of course we had to visit most of them to shop and eat. At Aaron Bauman’s Leather Shop, John purchased a new leather belt fitted for him. Muddy Pond General Store offered a large selection of dried beans, fresh cheese and meats and kitchen items. We left with a basket full. At the Country Porch we had soup and a sandwich for lunch. Later in the day, we stopped at Toyer’s Cafe for coffee and pastry.
Afternoon delight
What really drew us to Muddy Pond was the sorgum. We were lucky enough to be there during grinding season. We visited two mills and enjoyed both. Each were a little different yet both were cooking cane syrup when we visited. The sweet aroma reminded us of our childhood and the many cane mills in our area. The Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill and Variety Store is operated by the Guenther family while The Sorghum Mill is operated by the Mazelin family. We purchased sorghum barbecue sauce from the Guenther’s and sorghum syrup from the Mazelin’s.
Ready to grind
If you find yourself in North Central Tennessee in September, take a drive in the country and find Muddy Pond. It is worth a visit stopping and visiting with each business.
Happy travels and many adventures along your journey.
Toyer’s Cafe
View from Toyer’s Cafe
Leather Shop
belts sized to fit
Leather goods
Lunch sandwich at the Country Porch
Soup to mate with sandwich
General Store
Syrup cooking at Guenther’s
Muddy Pond Variety Store
Add sweetness with these earrings from CAJUNVILLE.
