Our farmers are putting in long hours and will
do so until late fall. Some are even busier than normal because they lost
plantings in the heavy rains and are now replanting. Others escaped the floods
but are still busy with their usual sequential plantings. Some of our farmers
do eight plantings or more of sweet corn, usually about two weeks apart. That
doesn’t mean they’ll harvest two weeks apart. Sometimes the weather or some other
unknown force causes several plantings to ripen at the same time regardless of
the schedule. While we love having plenty of corn, we don’t want to see any of
it going to waste and we really don’t like those gaps in supply! Here’s hoping for a steady supply of produce
throughout the summer. If there are gaps, it sure won’t be for lack of the
farmers’ efforts.
The market will be open tomorrow from 11 to 2
pm. Stewart’s Bakery is serving chicken fried steak sandwich with potato salad
for $5. The Hairy Vetch String Band will be on the market stage. Thursday is a great day to enjoy
a leisurely few hours at the market with many of our usual vendors without the
hustle and bustle (and traffic) of Saturdays.
Saturdays, however, are worth the trouble,
especially this Saturday when we have our annual Birds, Bees and Butterflies
Celebration. Amos Apiaries will be there with their demonstration hive and with
HONEY! The supply is limited now that
they have downsized so come at opening if you want to stock up. Wildcat Glades Audubon
Center will
be on hand with learning activities. Our farmers will have signs
indicating what produce depends on pollinators like bees and butterflies. Find
out what you would miss if we didn't have pollinators. Moth
and butterfly collector Rae Letsinger will be on hand with several trays of his
butterflies. The Kids Garden Club will plant a variety of zinnia
loved by the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The kids can color a butterfly
mask while adults can get pollinator friendly gardening tips.
Cooking for a Cause will benefit the Relay for Life team of
General Mills. The biscuits we serve are donated by General Mills and, as you
can guess, that adds up to a very generous donation each year so we hope our
customers will turn out in droves to say thank you by supporting their team. Biscuits
and gravy, sausage, eggs cooked to order and a drink are served from 9 to 11.
And even though it may be a bit cool and
rainy, you must not miss The Geriatrics. We discovered this band last year and
we love them! Made up of professional
musicians retired from the USO tours, they are top notch musicians and play
favorites from many eras.
On Tuesday, Catalyst debuts at the market.
We’re expecting a crowd because we are hosting
our city employees in the big yellow and white striped tent (that's
where the Free Kids Meals will be served starting Thursday, May 25). It’s a long overdue thank you for all the many kindnesses the city
extends us. The parks department and public works comes to our aid on a regular
basis, city hall helps with grants and other support, the water department
always gives us a call if someone has left the water on at the kids garden, the
police department has come to our rescue more than once, the fire department
advised us on how to keep the kitchen safe, and the list just goes on. I doubt
there is a department in the city that has not helped us out. So Tuesday,
supper’s on us when it comes to city employees. Everyone else can get a great
meal Tuesday from Stewart’s Bakery.
And, of course, you’ll find lots of fresh
local produce, baked goods and other delightful things at every market,
because, while the music, meals, and activities are fun, our primary reason for
existing is to connect farmers and the community.
It’s going to be a great week at the market. See
you there.
