Years ago, I lived near Tomah, which is just down the road from Warrens. The small 360-person village is host of the world's largest cranberry festival.

The fest began when I was a small child, and my mom would take her knitting to sell each year. She was able to get a booth in those early years, and the fest was just happy to get people to sell things. In those first years there were about 3,000-4,000 people passing through during the three-day festival. As kids, we loved to run around and see everything especially the huge parade.

After a couple more years, the Cranberry Festival grew quickly, and vendor booths became in high demand. As the fest charged more for a smaller space, Mom could no longer afford to attend.

This past year the festival had almost 1,300 booths covering 3 miles. Mix in 110,000 people, and you have a shopping experience like no other. All this excitement began to celebrate and promote the harvest of cranberries. I have to say it has worked over the years. In fact, Oprah Winfrey highlighted the festival in her magazine this year.

Most of the tart berries are quickly frozen or turned to juice. My favorite is the raisin form of the berries, which are fondly called Craisins. These processed and dried cranberries go great in cereal, salads or nearly anything you might put raisins on. The blazing red color of the berries brightens up any dish you serve. Some have also argued the berries have health benefits concerning cancers, urinary tract infections, and the H1N1 virus. However, like all foods and medications, arguments can be made for and against any health benefits. I enjoy the juice in moderation, but I am not sure how it might be helping me.

Cranberry salad

1 pound cranberries

1 large apple

1 orange, plus 1/4 of peel

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup crushed pineapple

6 ounce package red Jell-O (any flavor)

Green grapes (optional)

Mandarin oranges (optional)

Nuts (optional)

Put cranberries, apple, orange and orange peel through a food chopper. Add sugar and pineapple.

Refrigerate over night.

Drain well and use the juice for the cold water when making the Jell-O as directed on box.

When Jell-O is just set, add the cranberry mixture.

Can add the grapes, mandarin oranges and nuts at this time. Stir well and chill until set.

Anthony Wolf is a freelance columnist for the Marshfield News-Herald.