| Join us for the Winchester Farmers Market
Saturday, 9:30-1:30, on the Town Common |
| Issue 16 |
September 20, 2008 |
|
Greetings!
Welcome to the September 20 issue of the Winchester Farmers Market newsletter.
We were saddened to learn of the recent sudden death of Koua Lor, the husband of Song Yang and father of Pang Xao Yang of Flats Mentor Farm. Many of you who purchased from the Flats Mentor Farm at the market on Saturdays probably talked to Pang and her father about their wonderful produce. Song and her husband were the farmers who raised this produce. The sudden and unexpected loss of a close family member is always devastating, but for a family that relies on the uncertain proceeds of farming for income, the loss has added dimensions, especially after a summer of unpredictable weather during which the fields at Flats Mentor Farm have been flooded four times. We would like to express our sympathies and support for Song and Pang and their family by making a donation to help defray the costs of the funeral. If you would like to contribute, please make a donation in any amount through the farmers market website ( http://www.winchesterfarmersmarket.org/supportthemarket.html) by 2:00 pm on Saturday or at the Sustainable Winchester tent at the market and we will include your name and donation with our best wishes to the family.
The market will take place rain or shine throughout the season. Please try to ride your bike or walk to the market if you can, or park your car in the Aberjona or Shore Road lot to leave parking spaces surrounding the common open for short-term parking near downtown businesses. The Aberjona lot, which runs along the commuter rail track across from the post office, is free on weekends, including the permit spaces in the end of the lot.
Remember to bring your own shopping bags to the market if you can.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday on the common.
Sincerely,
Winchester Farmers Market Organizing Committee
|
|
This Week at the Market |
|
|
This week at the market, the farmers expect to bring the following:
Vegetables: beans (green), beets, broccoli, cabbage (green, red), carrots, chard (green, red), collard greens, corn, cucumbers (pickling, salad, white pickling), eggplant (Chinese, fingerling, Japanese, traditional purple, white), fennel, kale (green, red), onions (red, white), peppers (green, Jalepeno, purple, red, Sweet Carmen, Thai chili, white), potatoes, pumpkins, scallions (green, red), squash (kousa, summer, zucchini), tomatoes (cherry, grape, heirloom, plum, red, San Marzano, yellow), winter squash (acorn, butternut, kabocha)
Fruit: apples, blueberries, blackberries, canteloupe, Concord grapes, golden raspberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, watermelon
Herbs: basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme
Other: cut flowers, gourds
In addition to the farmers, Globe Fish will be selling fresh fish; Glutenus Minimus will be selling gourmet gluten-free cookies; Cocoa Express will be selling coffee, tea, and baked goods; Trooper's Treats will be selling homemade, all-natural dog biscuits; and Mamadou Artisan Bakery will be selling bread.
Flats Mentor Farm, Taza Chocolate, and Warner Farm will not be at the market this week.
Featured entertainment from 10 am to 12 pm will be African drum master Mamadou leading a drum circle. Bring your hand drums (djembes, bongos, congas, etc.) and percussion instruments (shakers, triangles, tambourines, etc.) to join in the music making. All ages and all experience levels are welcome to join in the fun and feel the power of rhythm. From 12 pm to 1:30 pm, Chip & Dale, a bluegrass duo, are returning for their second performance of the season.
The featured artist in the Winchester Artists Network tent will be Debbie Taylor Smith (jewelry, reverse decoupage).
The Winchester Multicultural Network will be in the community groups tent.
|
| Featured Item of the Week: Fennel |
|
|
 Although fennel has long been a familiar food in Europe, it has only recently started to become more well known and popular in the U.S. Fennel is an especially versatile. Every part of the plant is edible: stalks, bulbs (which are actually enlarged and thickened stems at the base of the plant), leaves, and seeds. Fennel is delicious in sweet or savory dishes and either raw or cooked. The taste of fennel is often described as similar to a mild anise or licorice flavor. This already-mild flavor is mellowed by cooking.
Raw fennel bulbs pair well with oranges or pears in a salad, and the fennel leaves, which have a feathery texture similar to dill, can be chopped and also added to a salad. Substitute fennel for celery to add an interesting new twist to dishes such as meat or seafood salads or a raw vegetable platter.
Cooked fennel can be prepared by baking, braising, grilling, roasting, and stir-frying or blended in soups.
Following are recipes featuring fennel.
|
| Winchester Chamber of Commerce Flea Market |
|
|
The Winchester Chamber of Commerce annual flea market/yard sale/craft sale will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2008, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Town Hall parking lot. The rain date for the event will be Sunday, September 28, 2008 with the same hours. Admission is free. Antiques, collectibles, crafts and treasures from the attic will be featured. Mark your calendar for a fun day at the flea market and at the farmers market. September 27 at the farmers market will be community appreciation day, featuring freshly roasted ears of corn, apple pie, and local cider. Check this newsletter next week for more details.
|
| Raspberries at Wright-Locke Farm |
|
|
Wright-Locke Farm's U-pick organic raspberry operation in Winchester is now open. The raspberries are especially bushy this year, so if you visit to pick you will probably be glad to wear long sleeves and perhaps bring bug spray. Consider cutting the toes off old socks to put on your forearms if you want to wear a short-sleeved shirt.
Wright-Locke Farm is located at 78 Ridge Street. Hours for picking raspberries are 9:00 am to noon on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The field will be closed on rainy days and occasionally for ripening. The town of Winchester website and the Town Manager's office (781-721-7133) will have updated information. The price for raspberries is $4 per pint with discounts for larger quantities.
The raspberry farm is always looking for volunteers, both to help with the U-pick operation now and throughout the season to help with weeding. New volunteers get a brief training on procedures and background information for frequently asked questions. They also get a free sample picking. To sign up contact donna.wainwright@comcast.net, cell 617-686-8641. Please contact Susan Youmans at Eosystems@aol.com for other questions.
|
| Winchester Eco Festival |
|
|
Winchester's first Eco Festival will take place on Saturday, October 25 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at the town common, town hall, and First Congregational Church. This date is also the last day of the farmers market this season, so be sure to mark your calendars for what will surely be a fun and educational day.
Sustainable Winchester, in collaboration with the Family Action Network (FAN), organized the Eco Festival to showcase the concept of "reduce, reuse, and recycle." The primary aim of the Eco Festival is to educate community members about the conservation of our natural resources, innovative alternative-energy technologies, and waste-reduction practices. Through children's activities, dynamic exhibits, workshops, and stimulating speakers, the Winchester Eco Festival will foster public awareness about opportunities for environmental change. It is hoped that the event will inspire community members to make their homes, businesses, and town more ecologically minded and environmentally sound, while also encouraging activism and volunteerism.
The Eco Festival is free to the public, thanks to the support of corporations such as Whole Foods Market, REI, Staples, and LL Bean, as well as the support of local businesses including Carole's Kitchen and Bath, Gerrity Stone, Boston Tree Preservation, Local Hero Tech Support, Moriarty & Berty General Dentistry, Pywell Contracting Services, and the Anderson Team Realtors. Winchester residents can bring many types of household items to the festival, where the items will be collected by different organizations to be recycled. Start collecting these items now to drop of in the recycling area at the festival. Please refer to the Eco Festival website at www.fanwinchester.org/ecofest for detailed information about the strict donation guidelines of some of the participating organizations. Bicycles Computers Eyeglasses Kitchen cabinets and countertops Doors Windows Vanities, Drop-in and pedestal sinks Faucets Some tubs Light fixtures (no recessed lights), Ceiling paddle fans Lumber, plywood, and sheetrock Wood Flooring Carpeting Carpet ceramic and vinyl tile Sheet vinyl (new only) Fluorescent light bulbs Rechargeable batteries Button cell batteries Cell phones Thermostats Thermometers Mercury switches This list is growing every day, so to learn more about what you can recycle on the day of the Eco Festival as well as find out about the activities and exhibitors that will be present, please visit the Eco Festival website at www.fanwinchester.org/ecofest. We still need volunteers to help with many aspects of the Eco Festival. If you are interested, please stop by the Sustainable Winchester booth at the farmers market, contact us by e-mail, or sign up online. |
| Other Local Farmers Markets |
|
|
If you ever have to miss the Winchester Farmers Market on Saturdays, there are several other great local farmers markets you can visit on other days.
Lexington, Tuesdays 2pm to 6:30pm, Mass Ave. and Fletcher Ave., Lexington Center
Somerville, Wednesdays 12pm to 6pm, Day St. and Herbert St., Davis Square
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
