Fresh Picks - The Lansdowne Farmers Market Newsletter

News for This Saturday, October 23

That Time Again
Way back in the Lansdowne Farmers Market's first year, some fun person on the committee suggested that we have a "party" to bring the Market to its close, and thus the Fall Festival was born. Plus, all that season, people had been asking if they could have space at the Market to sell this or promote that, so someone else suggested that we open up a few more spots in the lot to "civilian" vendors, and Community Day came into being. Now that you know the history of these events, let's look to their future, specifically this Saturday, when Fall Festival and Community Day converge at one of the last Markets (say it ain't so!) of the 2010 season.

Between the Arts Festival, the Arts and Crafts Show, and the LFM Artist of the Week, it probably has not escaped your attention that Lansdowne has more than its share of artistic types. And they are turning out in droves for Community Day, including knitters, sewers, recyclers, and jewelry and gift basket makers, so there will be lots of handmade items available, which is nice in this age of big box stores. Back on the Market side of the lot, this week's artist, Richard Aldorasi, will give everyone a chance to indulge in the handmade process as he oversees the creation of marbled Chinese silk scarves in his tent. He guides you in the process, but you get to say you made it yourself! (If you plan to give it as a gift, bring a camera so you can also share the process photos with the recipient.) Other Community Day participants include some promoting fitness and good-for-you supplements, the Boy Scouts, and a funky shop in Philly. See here for a complete listing, and be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to browse.

We have the usual fun lineup for Fall Festival -- pumpkin decorating for the kids for only $1, guess the candy count (and the candy jar is just awesome this year -- Snickers, M&Ms, Starbursts, and more; you're gonna want you some of that), the aforementioned scarf creation, and, last but not least, the Sweet Endings Dessert Contest. If you're participating in the contest, the important things to remember are to include two Market ingredients (and at this point, one can be something purchased from a Lansdowne store that is part of the Market, such as Harvest Local Foods), complete the entry form, and have your $5 entry fee, form, and lip-smacking dessert in by 10:00 am so there's plenty of time to collect bids on it before the noon judging. If you're planning to enjoy the contest only from outside, then just bring some cash and see what tickles your fancy. Starting at 10:00, you can place silent auction bids (basically, you see what the last bid was and write down your higher bid if you are so inclined) on all entries in the contest, with each going (you probably figured this out already) to the highest bidder. The trick is that if you're high bidder on the winning entry, you get it for free! (All the money that's raised from entry fees and auction bids will go to the community food bank.) Folks, we still need a volunteer to be the fourth and final judge. If you want to be the one who sits with Mayor Jayne, Mike Nelson of Fruitwood Farms, and LFM Committee Co-chair Jennifer Hoff in judgment of the surrounding sweets, let us know. If more than one person is interested, we'll pick someone randomly. (If no one is interested, we'll probably ditch the contest next year because -- really, people.)

Finally, to amp up the anticipation for the November production of The Ransom of Red Chief by Celebration Theater, seven feathers will be hidden at the Farmers Market for this Saturday only, and the lucky shoppers who find them (one per person, please) and bring them to the Market Manager tent will each received one free ticked to the show, which opens November 5 and runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the next three weekends at the Twentieth Century Club. Are you giddy with excitement already?

So that's the gist of special stuff this Saturday, plus we'll again be selling Ripe & Ready T-shirts two for one and giving out Market Bucks for donations of nonperishables for the food bank. (It must be noted that you were extremely generous last week, donating several large bags of food for the bank and getting only a measly Market Buck in return, so thanks for that.) And keep wearing the Phillies red! (Or blue or maroon -- we're not picky when it comes to the Phils.)

Market News
This week's alternating vendors are Cupcake Dreams (did you try those pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting last time Julia was here? wow!), Turning Roots Farm (pretty veggies), Spotted Hill Farm (lovely soaps), and Wentworth Dairy (delicioso cheese and butter). Bear in mind that this is your last shot at all four of these vendors until November 20, nearly a month hence, so do not hesitate to pile your cart high with their wonderful local wares. Seriously decadent hot chocolate made its Market debut last week at John's MiniTreats, but John has actually changed the recipe already to make it a bit less decadent so you can drink a whole cup. We think some warm cider was also on the premises, but that may have been carried over from the Regency's storefront, which is not a bad idea in the October chill. Also new to the Market this week with be homemade pie dough at Provisions so you can take it home and roll it out yourself, filling it with whatever pleaseth you, be it sweet or savory.

Now let's look ahead a bit. To show their appreciation for their customers, next Saturday, October 30, Schober Orchards will be having a BOGO sale on apple quarts -- buy one and get one free, any variety. Then, at the special bonus pre-Thanksgiving Market, they will be having a belated Veterans Day special that will involve free apples and cider for veterans. Ask for more details now if you think you might qualify for this freebie. Greenwood Kitchen is now taking orders for gluten-free pumpkin pies for pickup at the November 20th market. Anyone interested can get more information at their booth this week and next. Likewise, if you want a fresh, humanely raised gobbler, be sure to place your turkey order with Harvest Local Foods soon. HLF will also have organic pumpkin pies this week and pose the question, What could be better than that? (We're thinking slightly warm organic cherry pie ala mode, but we're not here to argue.)

Your Input, Please!
The borough-appointed Lansdowne Arts Board would like your thoughts about how they can improve our community. They invite you to answer a few questions on how the arts can make Lansdowne an even better place to live. In return for providing your feedback, you will have the chance to win an original painting by Lansdowne artist Rick Prigg or all four CDs released by Lansdowne's own Minas duo, Orlando Haddad and Patricia King. The Lansdowne Community Arts Assessment Survey can be filled out online here, or stop by the borough tent at Community Day to complete it in person at the Arts Board table. The members of the Lansdowne Arts Board are Jared Reed (Chair), Orlando Haddad, Megan Halsey, Virginia Maroun, and Richard Prigg.

'Downe Town Sounds
Don't forget that there's a showa Thursday late in every fall/winter/spring month at the Lansdowne Folk Club. The next one is next week, October 28, and features The Small Ponds and special guest Jon Shain, all of whom are from North Carolina, which seems to be a pretty happening place music-wise (cleverly cloaked but shameless Avett Brothers shout-out). Don't worry about getting dinner beforehand, since Marnie from Provisions will be on-site selling her homemade lasagna to keep your tummy from adding a rumbly bass note to the acoustic sets. (Follow that link to Provisions' website to check out their weekly meal deal, which is an entrée and sides all for one price, like at Boston Market or KFC only way better.) Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. The doors of the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, open at 6:30, and the performance begins at 7:30 pm. For reservations or more information call (610) 622-7250 or email lfc.org@rcn.com.

Theater Majors
The Lansdowne Theater is all over TV right now in a series of six commercials advertising AMC's FearFest the second half of this month. The ads were shot in the atmospherically decrepit space several weeks ago and will run until the end of the month. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be online anywhere, so tune into AMC for a look inside The Lansdowne. And did you know who this week's Face was? It's Phil Martelli, head coach of the St. Joseph University men's basketball team and Lansdowne native. Apparently, if he wasn't shooting hoops, he was taking in a show at the old theater.

The Lansdowne Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the parking lot next to 28 North Lansdowne Avenue, rain or shine.

Visit our sister market, the Oakmont Farmers Market, Wednesday afternoons in Havertown for more local produce, bread, meat, and other products.