barbara michaels

Barbara Michaels is a founder of the Forest Hills Garden Club, and her garden is an inspiration for her fair entries.

This year, she made a loquat-peach jam infused with basil, a pear jam infused with sage and an orange marmalade.

A few years ago, she read a book called Blue Ribbon Preserves, and that gave her a lot of ideas. But she tweaks the recipes with herbs from her garden.

Michaels also is a member of the Lakewood Knit-Wits, who are known for “yarn bombing” the Lakewood Branch Library. She first entered the fair with a christening gown she made for her granddaughter in 1996, and that won third prize. This year, she’s entering a knitted scarf and shawl, along with the jellies.

Last year, she entered four things in the fair and won four ribbons — first, second, third and runner up.

“It’s become my own little competition for myself,” she says. “I’m competing with myself to see what can I think of next year to do.”