Community, friendship and food

By Colleen Gundlach

“The Zulus” perform at the Oct. 13 farmers market.

The first full season of the Farmers’ Market in Norfolk concluded on October 13, to rave reviews. From vendors to patrons to administration, everyone agreed that the market is a phenomenon that has brought new life to summer in town.

Mary Alice Pilbin, of Chez Mon Us, a business showing Norfolk-raised llamas and selling fiber and yarn, indicated that the venue was a wonderful place not only to sell her wares, but also a great place to meet people. “Everyone is very gracious,” Pilbin said.

Lisa Auclair, manager of the Farmers’ Market, has been responsible for recruiting vendors and seeing to it that everyone has a good time. Vendors throughout the summer sold fruits and vegetables, herbs, breads, organic meats, plants, and even homemade dog treats (try the waffle shaped “Blueberry Woofles”, for dogs). Auclair, who is a chef herself, believes in using only organic and whole foods and said she couldn’t have been more pleased with the vendors.

Mary Ann McGourty sold potted plants. “I love it,” she said. “It makes no sense to buy things trucked in from California when we can buy locally.” Vendor Judy Mead agrees. “It is so nice to have this good food to eat. It is the best.” Rustling Winds Creamery representative, Nancy Fradette, commented on the beauty of the location, on the corner of Shepard Road and Route 44, and also the camaraderie. “All the vendors help each other out. It’s a nice atmosphere.”

The addition of music has helped to create the feeling of a country fair at the markets. Attendees of the July, August and September markets were treated to Andy Styles and his acoustic guitar, accompanied at various times by Judy Mead, Martha Rochelle and Dave Godding.

A young visitor to the market holds her mother’s flowers.

At the October 13 market, Thula Sizwe, Josh DeCerbo and Kaelin Hester entertained the crowd with stringed instrument music. Later, “The Zulus”, an a cappella group of musicians from Zimbabwe, sang and danced while onlookers clapped to the beat. Children sat on the grass eating treats from the vendors, while the adults mingled.

Auclair attributes much of the success of the market to the volunteers who have helped keep things running smoothly all summer. She reports that many people donated their time to direct traffic and parking, hang posters and help the vendors set up their tents. “It seems like the whole community was involved.”

Next year, Auclair is considering the possibility of more frequent markets, possibly bi-weekly, and looks forward to bringing in more crafters to round out the offerings. She said the markets will still be held at the same spot next year, despite the anticipated construction of a new emergency medical services building on the site.

For more information about next year’s market schedule, or to register as a vendor, contact Auclair at 542-5044.

Photos by Adela Hubers.