MARKET MUSINGS

March 26, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Jan Freedman

Spring is here, but winter doesn’t seem to have received the message.
Everywhere I go, people are complaining about the winter that won’t end. Let us all hope that the weather will be truly spring-like by the time the Farmers’ Market opens outdoors in May.
We, at the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair, would like to congratulate one of our chef vendors, Andrew Evans, of Cookery Catering, on his recent award. As reported in this paper last week, Andrew was named one of the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s Top 30 Under 30 for 2014.
This award is very prestigious and is open to a wide variety of jobs within the hospitality industry. We are very proud of Andrew and his accomplishments and are delighted that he and Mat will be returning to the Market this season.
The final person who is new to the Indoor Market whom I’d like you to meet is artist Miriam Leiher. Although born in Toronto, she has lived in Aurora for many years with her husband and family. She studied Illustration Design at Seneca College in the 90s, graduated but didn’t pursue her artist’s dream at that time.
Recently, however, she found time to work on her art. She was introduced to the Farmers’ Market last year and decided to become a part of this community right in her backyard. This was a perfect venue to showcase her unique art pieces made from reclaimed wood.
She calls her collection, “Catch My Drift”, a name chosen by her husband. Her pieces are varied and range from a chair repurposed into a work of art, to candles made from fallen cedars found at the family cottage.
Miriam will be at the final Indoor Market of the season this Saturday, March 29 at the Aurora Cultural Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
She also has a show at the Skylight Gallery in Aurora in May with her daughter Gabrielle, who is also an artist.
Making their first appearance of the season at the Indoor Market will be Shirley and George Wiedemeyer of Nature’s Rainbow.
They will be bringing their plant seeds in time for spring planting.
As most of you know, they specialise in heirloom seeds. They have researched extensively for rare organically grown heirloom vegetable seeds which include beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers, kale kohlrabi, lettuce, melons, radish, spinach, squash, Swiss chard, turnips and watermelon.
Their seed collection contains those which can be planted directly in the garden and others which should be sown after the danger of frost has ended.
They also have an extensive collection of rare flowering vines which are easy to grow and produce masses of colourful flowers from summer through to the fall.
Plan on stopping by the Wiedemeyer’s booth this Saturday to discuss your spring planting plans and needs with these two very knowledgeable gardeners.
The following are the vendors who will be present at the last Indoor Market of the season: Sassy Chameleon, Pioneer Brand Honey, Designs by Eva, Nutmeg Catering, Rustic Breads, Kind Organics, Snowden Farm, Catharina’s Kitchen, Toscana Bakery, Projet Christina Marie (John Abraham), Jan’s Country Pantry, Green River Coffee, 19th Avenue Farm, Green Leaf Designs, Kibo Natural Body Care, Sasha’s Sweets, Eurasia Jewelry, Heartsease, Oakridge’s Finest, Crown Valley Bakery, Nature’s Rainbow, Dos Mariachi, Rob’s Good Foods, Limitless Jewelry, BF Bakers( Bagel Flame), Robert Pow, Sugarie Dust(cupcakes), Catch My Drift, and The Bears Den.
Please keep in mind that there may be last minute cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances, but as this goes to press, these vendors have confirmed their attendance.
We at the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair are eagerly looking forward to our 2014 outdoor season. We are planning a very special opening day where we will focus on the serious issues facing our honey bees and other pollinators due to their exposure to the dust contained in neonicotinoids (insecticides) during planting.
We need to examine solutions to this growing problem that is decimating our honey bee population because what affects the health of our pollinators will soon affect the health of our food crops.
See you at the Indoor Market!