Olney Farmers & Artists Market

Another Wonderful Opening Day

For last Sunday, the first day of the 2013 Summer Market, we had sunny but blustery weather, which did nothing to deter the great turnout by both vendors and patrons.  Old friends and new gathered at the Old Hospital Grounds for the start of our seventh season.  Welcome everyone!

Three Views of the Market

The chef, Timothy Dean, prepared sliders with his special touches for an appreciative crowd.

Cook it….

They Will Come!

Many of the artists which will rotate throughout the season came out for Opening Day.

Lorianne Bartlett, of Pax Lorianna, Talks to a Customer.

I was glad to see Zeke’s Coffee and Freddie Turim (Eat A Little Something) next to the great food from Namaskar, all returned for another year.

Namaskar’s Back

And the farmers, of course, were there too!

Strawberries and Asparagus, Oh My!

 Judy Newton

 All pictures this week credit: Barry Newton

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

The party to celebrate the beginning of the seventh season of the Olney Farmers and Artists Market was a lot of fun.  We had good food, abundant margaritas, lively music and tours of Pogo’s amazing, bucolic domain.

Janet Queen of Margaritas

Janet and Kathy dispensed margaritas with Hal’s help.  Kathy is now the official Shaved Ice Master of the Market.

 

Kathy and Hal

Frank made the chocolate fountain work, and Jeremy and Dawn cut up fruit for dunking.

 

Frank n’Fountain

Jeremy

Nancy MacBride brought dandelion- and asparagus-filled cookies.  Stanton posed with them.

Stanton With Cookies

There were plenty of Mexican-style goodies, as well as those contributed by our wonderful vendors and volunteers.  For a complete list, see the newsletter and website for this week.

 

There was a wine tasting, courtesy of The Winery at Olney.  Appropriately enough, it was held in the guesthouse that was once a cider barrel.

 

Wine Tasting Venue

 Pogo led a tour of his grounds.

 

Pogo Is On The Far Left In The Picture

Karen and Harry Montgomery came, along with Katherine Farquhar.

 

Katherine and Karen

And the Angel of Brookeville was there too.

The Angel

See you all next Sunday for the first outdoor market of the seventh season!

Judy Newton

The Penultimate Winter Market

Here’s a short post.  We had the next-to-last Winter Market last Sunday with music from the Only Two (but they brought along a third for comic relief).

Charles Lowery and Allan Young provided a sonic background to the food vendors in the Dr. Bird Room. 

 Meanwhile, in the entrance hall, Jeannie Godbout and Carol Toll sold chances to win a lovely quilt.  They were raising money for the Relay For Life.

In addition to the Produce Hall vendors and Exhibit Hall artists, several vendors in addition to the usual ones elected to be outside in the spring weather.  M&M plants had some beautiful bouquets.

I’ll be out of town for the last week of the Market in the Museum, but I can’t wait for the Summer season Opening Day!  Meanwhile, see you at the Cinco de Mayo party!

Judy Newton

Spring Advances

Last Sunday was a day of fine weather, so many of the vendors opted to be outside.  A patron drove a very fine car to the Market, and parked it near the tents in front.

Electric Blue and Vendors

The Farm At Our House brought a variety of spring greens, which they sold for the same price, encouraging patrons to buy a bag of greens mixed to their taste.  These were great in a salad or tossed with pasta and fresh cheese.

And The Pea Shoots Are Yummy, Too.

One of our favorite chefs, Debbie Amster, cooked three spring-y dishes: Parsley Soup, using parsley from Homestead Farm; Beet Muhummara, using raw beets (!); and Wild Salmon Salad, which made canned salmon taste as good as fresh.

Many Vegetables To Cook

Raw Beets

 The audience followed along as she handed out recipes.

This Will Be On The Quiz.

We won’t have a chef demo for the last two weeks of the Winter season, but the Summer chef demos are being lined up now.  There will be some old favorites returning, as well as some new chefs.  See you  on Opening (Mothers) Day!

Judy Newton

Spring Comes To The Market

It was a beautiful day last Sunday.  More vendors chose to be outside the Museum, in the sunshine.  The kids’ activities and the Montgomery County Humane Society occupied the courtyard.

 Kids’ Activities In The Courtyard

In the bright, sunny Producer’s Hall, Kathleen Lockhart of Jill’s Cookie Cart taught her cookie-decorating techniques to a rapt audience.

Kathleen Showing Off Her Cookies

Kathleen Decorates An Octopus

After she demonstrated, she invited everyone to gather ‘round and try it themselves.  They had a lot of fun, and even if the results weren’t perfect, they tasted just fine.

Everybody Decorates!

Do you regret missing it now?  Well, Kathleen will be back for Kid’s Day!  And next week, Debbie Amster will be cooking Spring ingredients at the Market.  See you there!

Judy Newton

A Little Tipple Today? And Cake!

Last Sunday we had a Wine and Food Pairing Demo courtesy of Denise Parent of Barefoot Wine.  As bubbly as the sparkling wine she poured, Denise showed us how to pair white wine with salad, red with cheese, and sparkling with chocolate.  I think I got that right.  Anyway, sparkling wine works with anything, in my opinion!

Denise Offers Wine

Our Patrons Accept The Offer

The Three Wines Sampled

 Then, Jennifer Brown of Cupcakes Lounge demonstrated how to turn a flat, round cake into a bunny.  Jailen provided silent but eloquent kibitzing.

 

Is It A Bunny Yet?

Yes!

Outside, in the Museum courtyard, the hellebores were blooming.  Spring!  Soon!

 

Remember, no Market this (Easter) Sunday.  See you all in April!

Judy Newton

It’s Green, Jim!

Last Sunday was St. Patrick’s Day, and the Market vendors and patrons were ready!  Green was being worn all over.

The Crew From Canela Bakery

Charlotte In Her Green Skirt With Hannah

Anne Holding Shamrocks

Conner In Deely Boppers

Janet and Kathy Display Their Bling From Rendezvous Express

Erin Go Bragh!

Judy Newton

Two Weeks Worth of Market News

On February 24, we had something new and different - a knitting workshop led by Nancy MacBride and her daughter, Kelly.  It was a big hit with both old hands and newbies.  At least one Market patron finally learned to cast on left-handed, after years of trying, courtesy of Lefty Kelly.

Knitting Circle: Kelly in Tie-dye, Nancy to Her Right

 

Left to Right: Helen, Nancy, Kelly, Frank (not knitting),Kathy

Cellist Valerie Matthews, her husband and friend provided a wonderful musical accompaniment.  We hope to have them back soon.

 

Strings Among the Viands

Clark Mollenhoff returned offering acupuncture in the back room (see last week’s blog entry for a picture).  

 Last Sunday, Bette Mozdzen gave a short talk and a longer demo on The Art of True Light, a subtle energy practice through which you can receive a positive, relaxing and spiritual energy called “Light.”  

Being Enlightened (Betty Standing at Right)

In the Dr. Bird Room, Jennifer Brown of Cupcakes Lounge did a short presentation on building a cake pop.  The tubes and push-up stems are easy to find, and allow you to build them with custom-made fillings.

Jennifer Popping Cake

Of course, if you couldn’t wait, Jennifer had some ready to eat!

Happy Cake Customer Victoria

The Exhibit Hall was full, with the largest number of artists we have had since the Winter Market began.

 

Full Hall

Outside, hardy Homestead Farm was selling the biggest flat-leaf parsley I’ve ever seen - I thought it was celery at first.  I brought some home and took a picture, using a quarter for scale.  It’s been a tasty, welcome green garnish for our dinners this week.

Big Parsley

See you this Sunday!

Judy Newton

Field Trip To Spring Party Site

Your intrepid correspondent, together with Market Master Janet, went out in the drizzle last Saturday to visit the site of the Cinco de Mayo Market party we are planning for May 5th, the week before Opening Day.

Pogo Tree Experts is run by Pogo Sherwood, a long-time resident of this area and Market patron.  He has a place on New Hampshire Avenue which he has graciously offered to lend us for this event.  There is a big party room, an outdoor kitchen, a geodesic dome with a hot tub, and lots of outdoor space.  Pogo promises flowers blooming everywhere in the spring, and maybe even strawberries!

Outdoor Kitchen With Oven

 

Outdoor Kitchen Work Area

There are carvings and other artworks scattered around the grounds.

Asian Figure

 

Log O’Lantern Near The Dome

There’s a tree house and a guesthouse.  The guesthouse has been a corn crib and a whiskey barrel in its previous lives; now it’s a cozy studio apartment.

Guest House

Some free-range chickens share the space.

 

Pogo and Chickens With Party Room in Background

Pogo showed us the hot tub in the dome.

Pogo and Janet in the Dome

 The party room is just waiting to be filled with live music, food, drink, and all our Market friends!

Inside the Party Room

We’ll see you all there on May 5th!

Judy Newton

Needles and Sausage

Last Sunday, Feb. 17, (yes, I am doing catch-up) Market patrons had a chance to try two things they may not have considered before: acupuncture and Merguez sausage.

In the back room, soothing music played and couches awaited those willing to allow needles to be inserted in search of the free flow of “qi” (body energy).  Licensed Acupuncturist Clark Mollenhoff demonstrated his art. 

 

Acupuncture Happens

Meanwhile, in the Dr. Bird room, Jawad Laouaouda from Bon Vivant cooked a Moroccan specialty, Merguez sausage, during his Chef’s Demo.  His wife, Tania, provided a background narration while balancing some supercargo.  A neat trick!

Cooking and Talking About Sausage

Sausage Tasting

There was a new vendor in the Exhibits Hall.  “Handmade by Cindi” featured embellished, illuminated glass blocks and tiles.  The blocks can be personalized for unique keepsakes and centerpieces. 

Cindi and Stock

Two other vendors, Chaan Gorke and Erin Odorisio, posed in front of their booths. Chaan makes great jewelry with Swarovski crystals, and Erin produces hair bows which no grandma of a little girl could resist!

Chaan and Erin

They are just two of the reasons why our Market is such a great experience every Sunday!

Judy Newton