A Full Summer’s Harvest!

Friday, August 26, 2016  Before heading to shop at the market some people have been grabbing a bag – a recycled bag available for purchase at our CLT Market table – and then making the circuit among the assortment of vendors.

And on that circuit, at this point deep into summer, shoppers selected from beautiful produce….

 

….handmade items and refreshment from our youngest entrepreneurs….

…delicious baked goods, fresh coffee and yummy juice beverages….

Remember also to pick up your Pure Essentials and Lavender soap along with advice about skin care and information about the production of lotions and cosmetics…

 

 

This week visitors got to speak with representatives from the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association and learn, among other things, about an evening kayaking event featuring bioluminescence in a local pond.  Or, perhaps, learning about soil testing from one of URI’s Master Gardeners.

Did you know that Charlestown, specifically Ninigret Park, is noted for it’s Dark Skies, perfect for stargazing?

 

Next week’s music will be provided by Cassidy and Alex, a lively duo who will help us wrap up our 9th summer market season.  Why not take advantage of the URI Cooperative Water Quality booth joining us for our final market day?

 

 

A Community of Shoppers….

Friday, August 19, 2016  ….As is true every week, there were new shoppers at the market.  But it was noticeable how many conversations could be observed among people who have gotten to know one another over the course of the summer.

 

 

Shopping for quality items  may have been the top priority, but familiar faces and clusters of chatting people could be seen throughout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our volunteers  were no exception.  They also engaged in one another’s company!

 

 

Welcomed by CLT’s Linda Boback, Nick Smith’s mellow music enhanced the all round congenial tone.

We were fortunate to be joined by two local groups ENTHUSIASTICALLY promoting discussion of their missions.   The proposed bike path connecting Charlestown and Westerly….

 

 

….and the Rathskeller sponsored Twin Peaks duo, Patty and Nancy, advocating for breast cancer awareness.

Nancy and Patty are both breast cancer survivors and invited all interested participants to join them for the annual Twin Peaks Preservation Stroll on Oct. 2nd at 10 AM stepping out from the Rathskeller in Charlestown.

When you come to the next market, consider having your picture taken in our “Charlestown Gothic” setting….

As for this coming week’s special features?  They include representatives from the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club), Kettle Pond Visitors Center – the US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters and the RI National Wildlife Refuge Complex right here in Charlestown, and a second visit of the season from the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association.  Music will be offered by Glorybound with Dan LaPointe.

Cool Doings – Hot Market

Friday, August 12, 2016  Sunny, lively and HOT!  The weather may have been hot, but the energy was cool and fresh. ….as was the beautiful produce from 0ur neighboring farms!

     

Melodies and harmonies from the Sky String Ensemble flowed in and around the market throughout the morning.  The Sky String Ensemble performed compliments of Meadowbrook Waldorf School.

This week only!!!

Just up the hill and under the trees, there awaited a bargain hunter’s delight:  Irresistible yard sale items  sold by Charlestown Land Trust volunteers, a hard combination to beat.

While in that geographic area of the market, the children wanted to stop at the craft table!  It’s easy to see why.And then it was back to shopping for veggies, meats, shellfish, and fresh pastries and breads….

….along with specialty items including, among others, Providence Granola, Magnolia Ridge lavender lotions, hand made jewelry, AND, back at our market for the first time this year BLACKBERRIES and BLUEBERRIES from Narrow Land Orchard!

Shoppers could watch a South County Art Association pottery  demonstration and get to know and appreciate Annie’s K-9 skills compliments of the Charlestown Animal Shelter (No she wasn’t in the driver’s seat…),

 

 

 

 

 

…All topped off with refreshments from our lemonade girls OR our new Nitro Cart with specialty coffees and teas!

Next week we’ll have music by Nick Smith….And we’ll be welcoming a new group of nonprofits.  Look for Anna from People’s Power and Light along with local representatives from the Ad hoc Bicycle Path Comm.  Be sure to Join Us – Share your thoughts and bring your questions…

From Fresh Food to Fairy Houses to Turtles and Sunspots!

Friday, Aug. 5, 2016  Visitors to the Market this week had a host of directions in which to go!

With Chris Fee’s music as an accompaniment,… 

….shoppers were greeted with fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood….Tomatoes made a major debut this week….

Right next to the corn, cucumbers, beans, squash, beets…

….the special condiments and treats…..

As the adults did their shopping, there were so many choices for the KIDS – young ones, older kids, and kids-at-heart.

Stopping at the Pequotsepos Nature Center booth offered some close up, hands on nature experiences including an encounter with a real live native turtle!

Checking out those sunspots with Scott MacNeill’s sunscope – straight from Frosty Drew was another option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps a little kid shopping was in order, encouraging one of our young entrepreneurs.

And then there were the Fairy Houses coordinated by Hera Director Adrian….Check out the process of creating a fairy house along with some of the imaginative interpretations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the adults?  Perhaps soil testing was called for in the garden….or there was a need to check the quality of well water…..

Or maybe it was time to select a photograph as a reminder of the beauty of South County….Last Friday (every Friday) was the place for families and friends to be!

As for the coming week?  We can look forward to music by the Sky String Ensemble and visits from non profit groups including The Charlestown Animal Shelter and the South County Arts Association.  Join us and experience the CLT Farmers’ market for yourself!

UNDAUNTED!

Fri., July 29, 2016  With rain starting early on Friday morning, predicted to be heavy by mid morning, there was a big question mark for the market.  Several vendors stopped by, testing the waters, so to speak….

But BURNSIDE ACRES decided to open for business…..kind of like the US Mail…Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor hail….will get in the way of providing fresh produce for our shoppers….Shoppers?  Yes, there were some stalwart souls who showed up!