Morrison Farmers Market

A lot has happened since the last time I reported to you. Thursday evening we held our second annual Sunset Market.  The weather could not have been better had we placed an order. We had 30 vendors, two of whom were brand new, and a plentiful number of visitors-it was great.  Cindy Poci, of Poci’s Market in Rock Falls held a drawing for a basket full of produce goodies, and the basket winner was Barb Vegter.  We hope she is enjoying all the goodies found within!  As the night got darker, it was fun to walk amongst the vendors and see the lights twinkling in some of the tents. Perhaps next year we can have more light, because it all adds to the festiviness of the night.  I want to thank all who took part-vendors, customers, grillers (Joe LaShalle and partner) all the helpers who volunteered their time: Pepi Allen, Arlyn and Pat Zuidema, The Grillers, Barb and Eugene Heuman, the City of Morrison, via Gary Tresenwriter, for the use of picnic tables, Steve Siefken, Duane Habben (who may contest it was ‘volunteer’), Dick Carpenter, Larry Zuidema, and members of our committee: Jim Camp, Corinne Bender, Ron Weimer, with a special thanks to Jim Seely for his entertainment during our event. Thank you one and all for your support and kind comments.  With out any of you, there would be no Farmers’ Market.  If you have any suggestions, ideas, concerns about next year’s Sunset Market, or the market in general, please let me or a committee member know. We want things to work for YOU!

Saturday was also a most gorgeous day, without a cloud in the sky.

Wait a minute! That is two or three Saturdays now.  Happy Day!  We had great vendors again with fresh, delicious raspberries, sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, fresh shortbread, and we even had one of the vendors who gave away 3 sweet kittens. 

This Saturday we should have bitter sweet as well for those of you who are looking for some. I can hardly believe it, but we have just three weeks left and season 4 of the Farmers’ Market will be done, as of Oct. 1.  Of course, for me, it has been a short season, but I am always sad to see it end.  We hope you will be able to visit us sometime in the next three weeks and enjoy the home grown (raised) meats, fresh produce, freshly baked goodies, or hand crafted items.  One of our new vendors does stained glass work as well as sell tall ornamental grasses.  Visit us, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the variety.  We are located behind the probation building and are there from 8:00 to 11:00 AM-watch for our signage and you should have no trouble finding us.   Hope we see you Saturday.

I love to sing, people don’t love to hear me, but none the less music is important in my life.  Saturday I almost took the bull horn to sing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” because the day was perfect.  To top it all off, we were absolutely full and had two new vendors, one with beautiful novelty glass work and a new apple orchard from near Fulton.  Wow, did those apples smell delicious as he signed in. 

Baar’s Potato Farm has been with us almost every Saturday since our very first meager Market and their produce is wonderful, as has been their reputation for years.  Many years ago it was run by Bernie and Neva Baar and now is continued by their family.  Jennie Pruis, a grandaughter has been with us since we opened and one Saturday the first year, Grandma Neva stopped in to see how everyting was going.  She never left and has been with us every Saturday since because she enjoys it so much.

Jennie recently got a job teaching in our system which meant that now she would not have time to represent Baar’s at the Market.  We all were sad that they would no longer be able to be with us.  By the way, congratulations Jennie!  We know how much you wanted to teach and know you will do a great job.

Saturday I assigned their regular spot to another vendor because we were getting so full when to my surpise, here came Neva’s son-in-law saying that Grandma Neva wanted to be at the Market.  We set her up in another location, but next Saturday she will be right where the Baars have been so if you have a chance, stop in and tell her how happy you are to see her back here.!  She is a great hugger so maybe she will share one with you!  We are glad you are back Neva.

If sleeping in on Saturday morning is your cup of tea, then you can  still get an idea of what we are all about by coming to our Sept. 8 evening Sunset Market.  Last year we had a terrific turn out and we are hoping for even more this year.  Most of our regular vendors will be able to be there with samples of their foods and produce as well as special drawings etc..  We are going to have delicious grilled hamburgers and brat burgers, grilled veggies and maybe even some grilled pineapple with a scrumptious sauce.  Back by demand will be Kai Brearton and Boon Sukboriboon and their delicious Tai offerings. 

We hope you will bring your family, your friends, your neighbors, even strangers if you are so moved, to our Sunset Market on September 8th.  Circle the date and meet us there from 6:00-8:30 or so, PM that is!.  Of course, you can come this Saturday as well anytime between 8:00-11:00 am and check us out and buy some wonderful fresh produce or freshly baked goodies.  We are behind the Probation Building in the County Parking lot and if you don’t know where that is, watch for our signage, and you will find us.  Check us out at www.morrisonfarmersmarket.com for more information.

How many times last year did I begin my report with, “Yup, it rained.”  Since I have been back, it seems it has rained more than not.  Do you suppose it is me that is causing this?  Naaaaah, couldn’t be!  Thank you to the vendors who came and braved the weather-even when streaks and big boomers filled the air!  The committee and I were sitting in clumps, or in the shed trying to keep dry but customers kept coming so for that we say many thanks.  The vendors actually had a very good day-of course, everyone was coming for goodies from the bakery or fresh produce which is really yummy right now, and OH! so healthy.

Okay, so maybe we didn’t have POTUS at the Market this week, but we had many customers and for us, they are equally important if not more so.  Especially when one considers it actually stormed for a good period of the time.  Thank you to all of you who braved the weather for the fresh produce and freshly made foods.  The sweet corn is pretty well done now, as we all know, but we  have ever so delicious melons, tomatoes, potatoes, leeks and much more.  Come and check us out.  You will not be disappointed.

Have you circled September 8th yet?  If not, please do so because that is the date for our evening Market for this year.  As I said before, we will not be having a wine sampling, but we shall be having cold cider, hot spiced cider, many samples, grilled foods as well as  Kai Brearton and Boon Sukboriboon serving some of their most delicious Thai food.  Jim Seely, a favorite of the market goers, will be our music/entertainment for the evening.  All in all it promises to be a great night.

The Market will open at 6:00 pm and continue until at least 8:30.

     And don’t forget, we will all be there this Saturday as well from 8:00-11:00 am so stop in and get some of the heathy fresh goodies for you and your family.  You could also start your Christmas shopping at our many artisan booths as well.  So, rain or shine we will open at 8:00 am and be there until 11:00.  We are located directly behind the Probation Office or our signage will get right where you need to be!  See you Saturday-and Thursday, September 8.  Go circle it now!!