Farmers Market to open Saturday

By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer

May 09, 2008 04:00 am

— PLATTSBURGH -- Just in time for the spring growing season, the Plattsburgh Farmers and Crafters Market will bloom into action Saturday.
As she was setting up her display this week, Market Manager Pat Parker of the Parker Family Maple Farm said a full slate of about 25 vendors has signed on for the 2008 season. She said there is a waiting list for additional vendors, who can fill in when one of the regulars is unable to be present.
EMPHASIS ON AREA
"We are local. You are buying from your friends and neighbors," Parker said. "You are keeping your money in the county."
Vendors' products are required to be 50 percent locally produced, grown or manufactured. Parker said the amount is actually 100 percent for many of them.
Baked goods, fresh produce, crafts, honey products, maple products, preserves, bedding plants, organic goods and more will be available.
Barbara Gallagher of Lake City Images was setting up her display Wednesday. She offers prints and cards from local photographers.
"I'm looking forward to good weather and good business. I'm hoping people will come down to do one-stop shopping," she said.
CHANGES
One new vendor is Rambach's Bakery, Gallagher said, which she described as a great addition.
Merrick's Bread and Coffee of Wadhams is under new ownership and has been renamed Dogwood Bread Company. Gallagher said the new owners have said they will offer the same type of artisan baked products at the market.
Food service will be provided by Cool Run. That will include sandwiches, soft ice cream and coffee.
Parker said the increased tenant load at the Gateway at Plattsburgh office building should help business on Wednesdays.
Another station was being set up Wednesday by Jane Desotelle, owner of Underwood Herbs in Chateaugay, in her 30th year in business.
Desotelle offers products made from wild herbs found in the Adirondacks. She said more than 100 plants can be used to make tea, which she offers in a variety of serving sizes.
There are also jellies made from wild fruits, such as May apple, which she said is very rare.
Desotelle also sells fiddle head ferns, which she said are like asparagus, and wild ginger root.
Her catnip toys are made with wild catnip, which she said her customers have told her is the strongest they've ever bought.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Anne Lennox Barlow, a horticulturist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, will be on hand to answer gardening questions on the opening Saturday. Cooperative Extension will again conduct its nutrition program at the market.
Non-profit and not-for-profit groups are encouraged to contact market organizers in order to set up free displays. The Community Bus, a mobile health service operated by Bonnie Yopp, will make periodic visits to the market.
Parker said musicians and bands have been scheduled to provide entertainment throughout the summer, including Joan Crane on May 17 and Speedy Arnold on May 24.
On May 31, local authors James Millard, Larry Gooley, Dr. Richard Frost and Keith Herkalo will be at the market to sell and sign copies of their works, along with John Purdy, a historical artist from Vermont.
dheath@pressrepublican.com

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.