I was leery about the weather yesterday. The forecast called
for scattered showers which was about the same forecast we had earlier in the
week when we had a downpour and very stormy weather. While the pavilion
protects us in the case of rain, it could really cut down on the kids
coming for lunch. We ended up with lovely weather and served 228 children. That's over twice the biggest day we had last year. It is exciting for us to introduce so many children to fresh local foods. What they had on Thursday in addition to their drumstick and biscuit included a fresh tossed salad, sugar snap peas and a tomato and cucumber salad. I expect at least some of them found a new favorite vegetable.
The beautiful weather held for our first twilight tunnel walk last night at the winter production education center south of Rocky Comfort on the Yang farm. We had a nice turnout of market growers interested in starting winter production. University of Missouri and Lincoln University Extension specialists had lots of useful information to share. Center manager Fue Yang and his mentor, Hector Troyer, also shared their experiences in working with the high tunnels. Those of you who remember Hector will be pleased to know he should be back at the market in a week or two. It depends on when the new baby arrives because he really needs to be home for that. His son Lance who was also at the twilight walk assures me that he will be returning with his homemade dog biscuits soon. That's him in the suspenders on the left and him last year at the market with his brother Logan.
Remember my mentioning fried pies last week? Well, they’ll be at the market tomorrow! Enos and Sarah Herthyler of Way Back Bakery
will be frying them up in the market kitchen and selling them in the pavilion
beside their friends the Detweilers near the music.
And remember what I said about space being at a premium? Well, the pavilion will be bursting at the
seams tomorrow with every side space taken and some eight vendors in the center
aisle. In the very center of the pavilion will be the American Legion Post 322
Auxiliary with paper poppies in honor of Memorial Day. Donations support
disabled and hospitalized veterans. We hope to see lots of poppies tomorrow.
William Adkins plays golden oldies tomorrow and breakfast is
served by the Webb City High School Choir Boosters. Breakfast and music go till
11. The market is open from 9 to noon.
Next week, we’ll be open on Tuesday (rain or shine and the
forecast is for rain, rain, rain). We are so fortunate to have the pavilion. It
was formerly known as the Mining Days pavilion because the Mining Days
committee built it back in the 1980’s to house their craft show held once a
year during the annual celebration). That makes the pavilion close about 35
years old and it has certainly improved with age. The parks department reworked
it several years ago, strengthening the structure, dressing it up and joining
the two pavilions into one. The Perry Foundation paid for the concrete floor. In
rainy times, we are so thankful for both. Once inside customers can go from one
end to the other without stepping outside. Before you had to sprint the open 30
feet between the pavilions. And the floor and improved drainage lifts us above
any run off. I remember once getting caught in a rain storm before the floor
was in place. Marilyn Thornberry and I were packing up but the storm hit before
we could get away. We ended up sitting on top of a picnic table to avoiding the
water flooding through the pavilion!
Bring an umbrella to get to the pavilion if it’s raining and
enjoy the market from end to end once inside. On Tuesday the Pommerts will play.
We are expecting Stewart’s Bakery and Carmine’s Pizza to serve supper. The Free
Kids Meal will be beef tostadas and homemade salsa with chips, plus other fresh
produce and milk.
On Thursday, we enjoy the music of William Adkins. Granny
Shaffers will be there with their catfish and potato wedges and Thai wraps. We’ll
have a Free Kids Meal but the June menu isn’t out yet. Check our website www.webbcityfarmersmarket.com
or Facebook for details.
If you can help with the Kids Meal, stop by the information
table and sign up for a day. We need help, mostly with serving, and will take
you for an hour or three, whatever works for you.
We’re also looking for volunteers to help set up and take down
the week day markets and to help run the information table.
Good things are happening at the market. Come be a part of it.
