Happy Birthday Canada!

We are celebrating our colours at the market on Saturday July 3rd by handing out flags and pins. I hope you are taking in some of the festivities around the county - we are going for a Guinness Record at Port Stanley - the most amount of people wearing red and singing O Canada! on the beach. The time for that is 9pm Thursday evening - just before fireworks. Canfest celebrations are happening all weekend long in Port Stanley. In town, the celebrations are happening at the Doug Tarry Ball Complex this year - 4pm - 11pm (fireworks there at 10pm).

As for the market celebrations, Spicers Bakery is bringing some surprise red & white treats. We will have the flags & pins with various vendors and volunteers to hand out to the first 100 customers. (I'm currently looking for my Canadian Flag tatoos left over from last year). I can think of a hundred reasons why I am thankful to live in Canada and you must know that farmers' markets is in the top ten. My idyllic summer consists of day tripping down the road to a live theatre production and a farmers market or two.......

Josie Allosery's of Josie's Plants is done for another season. DeBackere Farms will be starting in that end booth of the South pavilion but probably not for another two weeks. Last week Stan sold out of Kosic's pesticide free tomatoes, and Ralph sold out of sweet cherries! I saw rasperberries and blueberries at Berry Hill Fruit Farms and it's challenging to walk by Green Leaf Pasteries without trying something new that Kim has baked fresh the night before.

I usually ask someone what they are cooking from the market that day - last week the meal was sauteed arugala with fresh basil, tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. We have many chefs in our midst! If you are looking for recipes - the display shelf in the back foyer of the building is overflowing with fresh ideas from Foodland Ontario and other associations.

Congratulations again to all the Dad's who picked up a gift certificate from Farmgate Markets for our Father's Day Contest. One of our winners actually wrote about his grandfather: My "Avo" is the best grandfather in the world. He's there for me and teaches me new things. He teaches me about sports and history too! Jeff about his Avo Tedd.

And the customer appreciation basket goes to Gary Campbell this week. Gary is a long-time customer of the market and is happy to finally have won the coveted prize! One of these times soon I will get a picture of the lucky winner to display here.

Happy Birthday Canada - remember to take time; give gratitude where gratitude is due; we are VERY blessed!

See you at the market.

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba Street, St. Thomas

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

And the Winners are.....

The Ontario Premier recently handed out awards of excellence to businesses across the province shinning in the area of Agri-Food Inovation. Not only did Elgin County have three businesses take home awards, but all three are also vendors at our market. Congratulations to Dick & Renee Saarloos of Berry Hill Fruit Farm, Ray Coddington & Sandy Lyle of Farmgate Markets Inc, and to Judi and Carl Lindsay of Nature's Perfection Shiitake Mushrooms. Well done!

School's out shortly, Canada Day arrives and the dog-days of summer begin. (although we have had a few dog-days already to be sure). Erie Gardens is having a Crazy Canuck sale this weekend at the market - stop by their booth to find amazing deals on bedding plants and baskets.

We have a few vendors on vacation this weekend: Karen's Kushions, Moonstone Aromatherapy, and Surely Homemade are all away. And a few new vendors you may have noticed last week: Ashley of Copper Leaf Skin Care, Andy Ivan with strawberries from Union, and this week another new vendor bringing sweet cherries. Ralph has been talking to me since last season and is so excited to be a vendor at our market. I think he was in the orchard picking the cherries himself when he called me to say he would be there this Saturday.

Last week we held a Father's Day contest asking kids to tell us why their Dad is the best DAD in the whole world. The winner's will be contacted by phone to pick up their prizes at the market. Here are a few responses we received:

"Because he makes us special breakfast sometimes and he takes us the the Horton Market (We LOVE ging to the market!)" Maxym & Ryann about their dad Stefan

"We go fishing. He is strong with big muscles and he needs them to carry me upstairs when I fall asleep on the couch. He swims with me and plays X-box. He is my best friend." Cooper S

"Because he loves me and takes care of me and he is very funny and kind." Laura about dad Charles

The other winner to mention is Brian Rogers who won the customer appreciation basket last week. I love how this works - I get to call the lucky draw every week and have so much fun handing over the basket to the unsuspecting winner. The vendors are incredibly generous in contributing to the basket every week. As it happened with Brian, I have been chatting with him and his wife Pamela almost every Saturday, but did not know their names. This week's winner is Joy Wendling. Remember to fill out your ballot each week - the table is set up in the back foyer near the washrooms. Good Luck!

We have some fun events planned for the remainder of the season - we are aiming for one 'big event' each month. Canada Celebration, Horton Market Birthday Bash, Canning Demos, and IPM events still to come - check the back foyer of the building for upcoming dates.

Happy Summer and look forward to seeing you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba St, St. Thomas, ON

519.777.9529

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

Happy Father's Day at the Market...

We had a muggy, hot day last saturday. Our indoor ventilation system was working at full steam (sadly, it is not air conditioning like some thought); we did feel the occasional cool breeze through the building but everyone had to stand still, only to inhale while waiting, then collectively sigh when it had passed, happy to comment on how nice that was. I can honestly say that I was undecided about whether conditions were better indoors or outdoors. And still, we had a great day!

You will be happy to hear that we are giving away chocolate covered strawberries again this Saturday. If you missed these delectable treats last year, please be sure to track one of us down this Saturday. The Promotions committee in partnership with Renee Sarloos of Berry Hill Fruit Farms (also a director of the Board of Management) has put together this tasty little treat - our way of saying Thankyou. Last I heard, 200 strawberries are being dipped in dark chocolate. People asked me last year if they could buy them from me and I think I might have accidentially given a few people more than one. Be sure to Enjoy!

We are also having a little Father's Day contest at the face painting table in the outdoor cafe of the North Pavilion. Help your kids fill out a ballot telling everyone why their Dad is so great. We have a few donated prizes from our vendors and we will draw the name of a lucky Dad every hour.

Remember I mentioned earlier that I would highlight guest vendors' posts? I put this offer out to all our vendors to send me information about their business, their passions, and their path to arriving as a vendor at the Horton Farmers' Market. Following is some interesting information about Annie Adams who has a flair for display at her booth inside the building.

Annie Adams has had a passion for sewing since she was a young child. She remembers wanting to sew just like her Mother and how she would hover and putter around her Mother’s side until she was allowed to sew on her own. Annie raised and sewed for her seven children and now enjoys creating items for her sixteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren! Although she still enjoys altering the occasional wedding dress, she now prefers to sew less fussy items. She also keeps busy doing volunteer repairs and alterations for the nursing home where her husband resides, as well as for the hospital.

Annie sews for infants, children, adults, seniors, and pets. Here is just a small list of items she can whip up for you....

Aprons, Bibs, Bonnets, Burpie Pads, Receiving Blankets, Infants Fitted Sheet Sets, Book Covers,
Chair Caddy’s, Girl’s Dresses, Girl’s Baby dolls, Children’s Shorts, Boxers, Pyjamas, Children’s Paint Shirts, Beach Bags, Travel Bags, Shoe Bags, Children’s Totes, Pencil Cases, Granny Nightgowns, Seniors “gentlemen’s” bibs, Surgical Caps, Dog scarves, Cat Nip toys, Clothes Pin Bags, Heating Pads, Pot Holders, Placemats, Napkins, Kitchen Hand Towels, Children’s hand Towels, Table Runners, Tea Cozies, Toaster Covers, Ironing Board Covers, Pillow Cases, Wine Bottle “Tuxedos”, Pin cushions.... if it can be sewn, she can sew it!

(Annie seen here to the left with another avid sewer - my Mom)

Retiring from Fabric Land after eighteen years Annie moved from Sudbury to St. Thomas in 2009 due to her husband’s illness and to be with her family. Annie is thrilled to a part of the Horton Farmers' Market where she is able to share her passion for sewing with others. She looks forward to the energy and friendship the market brings each Saturday morning.

If you have a passion for sewing, are interested in learning to sew, or looking for a specific item as a gift or for yourself, Annie welcomes you to stop by her friendly booth for a chat. She takes orders of all sizes!

And lastly from me, Empire Valley Farms will not be at the market this weekend. They are having their 25 year farming anniversary at their home business. You can tour their greenhouses and vegetable fields this weekend both Sat. & Sun, 1-4pm. They are located at 27983 Talbot Line, just west of Wallacetown. If you get a chance to say Hi to them at their home base.

What I love about the market (besides the breakfast sandwich, the uplifting connections made, and the unending gifts it bestows on our community), is that it is so comforting to know that you can trace your food source from farm to fork in one easy visit.

See you at the market,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba St., St. Thomas, ON

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

Flowers at the Market....

We had a steady, rhythmic day at the market this past weekend. The weather cooperated and the rain held off. We all speculated on the flow of traffic, whether folks had visited the St. Anne's festival, and what type of day it would turn out to be for the vendors and the customers. One of the ways I gage the day is by the number of breakfast sandwichs sold - 124 this past weekend. That number seems to be right around our new average for the 2010 season!

We have a few new craft vendors at the market. You may have already met Karen from Karen's Kushions - she handcrafts uniquely decorator throw cushions for any room in your home. She is located in the North Pavilion across from Kosic's Greenhouse tomatoes. This week we will have a new vendor: Uniquely Salvaged. Tineke De Jong is an aunt of Amber from Frisa Farm Eggs. She will be bringing outdoor garden decorations made from salvaged items such as old doors and window frames. She will also be in the North Pavilion.

Some vendors are winding down their 2010 market season already as they are gearing up for home-based business. Hertiage Line Herbs are finished at the market for another season but you can visit them at there home-based business at 53443 Heritage Line, Aylmer Ontario. Josie Allosery, located in the South Pavilion with her bedding plants will be finishing soon as well.

We have a new FREE booklet located on the back display shelf - The 2010 Visitor's Guide to Experience Elgin County and St. Thomas. This extensive booklet is published by the County of Elgin and includes many of our market vendors, activities, and festivals happening in Elgin County. Be sure to pick up your free copy and take in all that our amazing county offers.

Thank you to Ray from Farmgate who donated the new flags, flag posts, and installed them on the front of the market building and pavilions. We are proudly displaying the flags of Canada, Ontario, and the City of St. Thomas. They also quickly catch the eye when looking down Manitoba Street from Talbot. A market customer suggested the idea and Ray quickly took the lead on making that happen.

We are looking for music at the market. If you know of anyone who would like to come and entertain a full crowd on a Saturday morning - unplugged and impromtu is best. The musicians are welcome to busk and play in different areas during the morning if they like. Please pass on my contact info to anyone who might be interested.

Congratulations to June Harris who won the customer appreciation draw. The ballots are in the back foyer. We've moved some of the cafe outdoors now at the front so be sure to suggest meeting at the market for your morning coffee and breakfast sandwich!


Be seeing you at the market!

(P.S. - Thankyou to my Aunt Patti for the amazing photos every week. She has been sending them to the St. Thomas Weekly News for publishing as well - good times at the Market!)


Tricia Herbert
Market Manager
St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market
2 Manitoba St., St. Thomas, ON
519-777-9529
hortonmarket@hotmail.com
http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

Good Things Grow in Ontario.....

Strawberries are happening this weekend at the market. Look for the return of Berry Hill Fruit Farms with loads of fresh strawberries. We have a few more vendors returning within the next few weekends including Kim McCarvell of Green Leaf Pastry, DeBackere Farms, and RGrow Farms.

According to the Foodland Ontario Fruits and Vegetables Availability Guide, the following produce is available in June: Green Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cherries, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Spinach, Sprouts, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes (Greenhouse). Foodland Ontario also makes the disclaimer, on behalf of all farmers and market managers I am sure, that availability dates may change by several weeks with respect to rare varieties and/or weather conditions. My favourite farm fresh dish at this time of year is a simple spinach salad with a light oil dressing. I build on the salad as the bounty expands; this week I will be adding fresh strawberries to the mix.

Remember that customer survey so many of you kindly completed? The results are in and you can view the report by hopping over here. We had a high response rate with many positive results and comments about the market. Many of the suggestions for improvement were implemented over this past off-season including the new ventilation system. Did you notice the difference this past weekend inside the building?

I was not at the market but the weather was beautiful - I was told the temperature inside the building upon first arrival was 85 degrees. Within an hour, the fan circulated the hot air outside and brought the temperature down to a comfortable 72 degrees. There was much discussion and debate last year about how to effectively cool that building without air conditioning and this conclusion seems to be doing very well.

Congratulations last week to Ann Marie Cheung who won the customer appreciation draw and this week to Darlene Unwin. Vendors contribute to the goodie basket each week to provide an amazing prize for the winners. The vendor's and the market's way of saying Thank You. The ballots and the entry box for the draw are in the back foyer of the building by the washrooms - remember to fill out a ballot each week.

Did you take home any apple fritters last week? The folks from the Dutch Bakery had to return to their kitchen twice to restock their market table. We had another record day for vendor sales. This mailing list goes out to 500+ customers (of which we do not share/sell the list with any one else) and I know that it reaches even more as several of you pass it on to your contacts. If you are receiving this via that channel and would like to sign up - send me an email and I will make it happen. Many thanks for spreading the word.

See you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba St., St. Thomas, ON

519-777-9529

http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

hortonmarket@hotmail.com