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Letter to the editor
As published July 2, 2008
Mt. Airy Farmer’s Market
Want to know what the best-kept secret in town is? Well I found out last week while attending the Mt. Airy Farmer's Market. There are so many positives about this venue that I would like to share some of them with you.
For one thing, it is held on the large Muncipal Parking Lot (upper level), just behind Main Street and off of Park Avenue, which makes auto access and parking to it easy.
The vendors range from Kayala Organic products, made exclusively from anything Emu (for example, Emu meats, oils, creams, balms, etc.) to Serina Ray’s Dublin Roasters with fresh organic coffees, whole bean or ground, which Serina does on site. Her choices consist of those hard to get aroma flavored beans like coconut cream, Jamacian, Cuban blends, and one close to my heart called Highlander Grogg.
Then there’s Nike Lewis' Green Earth Goods and her fresh granola. There is also 'The Popcorn Man' with different flavors and mixes, as well as Evie's Edibles and Stone Hearth Bakery, where you find the best you've ever tasted of homemade breads, pies, cakes, scones, baguettes, jams and jellies, and the list goes on.
And, most importantly, there are all the farm vendors and their goods. From the Flying Goat Farm's fresh eggs and homespun (on site) lambs wool yarn to Pleasant Hill Farm, The Country Mouse Farms, and Jasmine Farm with fresh herbs, plants, veggies, flowers, salad greens, etc., and close by is Asato's Plants & Honey.
They even have live, soft music with acoustic guitars and folksongs as you browse. And each week they feature a guest Main Street business. Last week was CarterQue Barbeque & Grilling Co. at 235 South Main Street. CarterQue's demostrated how they smoked their meats and served samples as well. It was incredible and so tasty too!
All of this is sponsored by the Mt. Airy Main Street Association (MAMSA) and is held every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. til 6:30 p.m. during the late spring and summer seasons. This year Laurel Hughes, who attends Maryland University, is doing her summer internship (sponsored by the Student Non-Profit Leadership Program and funded by the state) as the Farmer’s Market manager alongside Kelly Ziad and MAMSA members.
Kelly Ziad's role of serving as the town planner/Main Street manager, appointed by the mayor and council, has been and is a positive one with her innovative ideas and strong management skills and Mt. Airy is better for them.
So why not, on any given Wednesday summer afternoon go up to the Farmer’s Market, take a leisurely stroll among the vendors and their goodies, and see for yourselves. Oh, don't forget to stop by the MAMSA booth and see what special things they are planning for the upcoming fall and winter seasons as well.
Tina Grogg
Mt. Airy Four County Commissioner
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