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pickles , pickles , and more pickles . In late September , Benji was getting close to having made 400 jars ! On a picklemaking day , he usually makes 10 to 20 jars at one time . Benji explained that first , he washes the cucumbers and then slices them up into round pieces using a chopper . He puts the sliced cucumbers into the jar and then adds his mixture of vinegar , dill , peppercorns , tiny round mustard seeds , a little bit of sugar and the important brown sugar , then adds a tiny amount of a spice called tumeric that makes the green pickles an even brighter color . Then he closes up the glass jars with a tight lid and chills them . These are called “ refrigerator pickles .”
He makes both pickle spears
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and pickle chips . Benji ’ s mother , Kathy , said that the guys do make a mess but don ’ t leave a mess in the kitchen on pickle-making days .
“ They ’ re usually pretty good about cleaning up after themselves ,” she praised . Benji ’ s sister , Autumn , usually watches over the pickle work from the couch . She and her mom are glad that Benji and his dad like to cook .
“ They just love to cook , both of them . I gladly let them ,” Kathy said , while laughing .
Because Benji is giving away his pickle money , some companies have given him some help . The makers of Ball jars donated a case of jars to the project to encourage and help Benji .
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So is that basketball court getting closer ? Yes ! Benji has already made a donation of enough money to buy the goals equipment . Next , he wants to donate more money to help to buy the concrete for the floor of the basketball court .
Rebecca Allen , principal of Pea Ridge Middle School , said she was very proud of Benji and his family for helping the school build a better playground . “ He ’ s very much a big part of this school .” she said . While Benji ’ s donation has purchased the basketball goals , donations from some other school families and local businesses are helping to pay for the concrete court . Some are giving money and others are giving free services . It is
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possible that the basketball court will be completed in this school year .
And Benji is still packing pickles ! He will have to take a bit of a winter break as cucumber growing season is over , but he plans to keep on with his project in the spring when cucumbers grow again . He has even added a new product - homemade salsa - which is made with fresh tomatoes and other vegetables .
Why doesn ’ t Benji just keep the money from his pickle sales ? “ I just wanted it to go to a good cause ,” he said . When he thinks about all the kids who will play on the new court , years after he has grown up , he says this is how he will feel : “ Good !”
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