Market News - August 11, 2009
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK!
Some of you are blocking driveways on Continental Street. Don’t do that. One of the neighbors came screaming to/at me 3 weeks ago telling me that people have been blocking driveways for years. As it was the first time I’d heard that, I told him I’d do what I could to fix the problem. He continued to scream at me and I continued to tell him that I couldn’t fix a problem I knew nothing about. I had 3 signs made that I put out each Tuesday morning. Last week he was screaming at me again as he said that people are still blocking driveways. I have called the police and have asked them to patrol that street during the hours that the market is open. You can park behind the church, or on Continental St., or across the street on Kenwood Park, or on the other side of the church. Come at a later hour so that the parking is a little easier. I am pleased that our market is so successful, but we must be mindful that we are located in a residential neighborhood. While I’m at it, please go out the exit at the other end of the parking lot. And, if you have to take a left onto Sumner Ave., go behind the church which will get you out facing Sumner and you can go when the lights change. Remember that the lights are staggered, so wait for ALL traffic to stop before you go and pay attention to what is coming from Oakland St.Are you looking for some new recipes? Check out the green crate at the market table. Last week I made the spagatini with cherry tomatoes recipe. You can use any pasta. Do use the multi-colored tomatoes from The Kitchen Garden or Red Fire Farm. It is a simple recipe that is easy to prepare and it was delicious. The only change I made in the recipe was to add a pat of butter at the end.
If you have never tried garlic from our market, you must do so. It’s definitely pricier than the stuff from the grocery store (much of which is from China or Argentina), but what a difference in flavor. So, you’ll use less and enjoy it more.
Save the dates of October 3rd and 4th for the North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival held at Forsters Farm in Orange. Go to garlicandarts.org for more information. It’s a fun thing to do with the family.
Missing VendorsCozy Eats, Flats Mentor Farm, and Butler Farm expect to return next week.
EBT/Debit/Credit Cards
Many of you have already used your cards at the market to get wooden tokens that you use just like cash. You can also make out a check to the Farmers’ Market at the X for the amount that you need, and that works also. If you write a check, we don’t get any transaction fee. If you would like to make a tiny donation when you do use your card, that will help us defray the costs of having the machine.
I’m going behind bars for good!
A warrant has been issued for my “arrest.” As one of the area’s “Most Wanted,” I’m going to be “locked up” to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.With your help they may even let me out on good behavior. Contribute to my bail by donating to MDA via check or credit card. You can stop by Pazzos’ Restaurant at noon on August 20th, or contribute prior to that. You can go to their website joinmda.org/springfieldma2009 for further details on how to contribute. Thanks in advance. If I don’t raise $2000, I may have to stay at Pazzos’. Hmmm.
Update on Sam SmythI saw Sam the other day and he’s looking good. Dale and Sam went to the Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital in New Haven as a result of a recommendation by one of our market customers, Allison Sullivan. Dale said that they walked out of there feeling hopeful that they would really be able to help him.
Sam has a part time job off the farm in addition to his work on the farm. He is driving and he mows the lawns around the farm with his new riding lawnmower. All of you who have contributed have helped with his progress. So thanks again. We are a caring community.Still Blueberry Season
Blueberry season goes well into August and perhaps September in the hills. I noticed when I was picking some the other day at Val’s in East Longmeadow, that there are no more flowers on the bushes, just berries, many of which are green. Bring bug spray when you go to pick as the mosquitoes are fierce now. I’ve gone to Val’s for years and have never been plagued by mosquitoes before. But then, we haven’t had as much rain before either.
Thanks to SPT for purchasing 77 Maple St. This house dates from 1832 and is in real disrepair. At one time it was the home of Frederick Harris, after whom the school is named. The building will be rehabbed as a multi-family with 4 apartments as condominium units. The first floor units will be handicapped accessible. Check out their website springfieldpreservationtrust.org. Join them and join in with this very special project.
Become a Friend of the farmers’ market. Your contributions help us make this market so special.
