A Veritable Vegetable Festival

With live old-time music, fresh vegetables aplenty and many happy faces, last Saturday's Farmers Market was a summer festival. It was good to see so many smiling friends and visitors taking time to enjoy the morning.

Musicians Paolo Marks and Corey Bonasso presented a mix of traditional and original music, some of it played on instruments made in Paolo's Hillsboro shop (http://www.paolomarksviolins.com). David Holmes sat in on some fiddle tunes. It was magical. Pocahontas County is fortunate to have developed, or attracted, such talented musicians.

The Market now has plenty of local produce. ﾑNew' potatoes and purple beans arrived in force and our hens are laying big-time. Broccoli, cauliflower and eggplant continue to be scarce.

There's squash of all shapes, sizes and colors. Helpful hint: Squash is best when eaten fresh: raw, steamed or fried. A few days off the vine can toughen the skin and rob the flavor. Look for plump green stems on fresh-picked squash.

August is Family Recipe Month. We plan to publish a local recipe book to raise funds for more Music at The Market. Musicians need a tent. The sun's hot, and sun or rain can damage musical instruments. You can help. During the month of August, give a family recipe for cooking, baking or preserving local fruits and vegetables to the good folks at the Laska's Grove tent. While you're there, check out the colorful, handmade table runner which will be given away at the end of the season.

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