It happens every third week in June…schools out, most of the graduation dust has settled, and vacation trips are still in the pipeline. So…oh yeah, Happy Fathers Day!
Now, you may think what the man of the hour needs is a new tie, a new golf shirt, a ticket to a ballgame or concert. Things. But this year, how about something handmade and homemade; as the Pillsbury Doughboy says, “Nothin’ says lovin’ like somethin’ from the oven…”
And we at the Lansdowne Farmers Market are DADicated to making it all happen. So step away from the internet, forget the crowds at the mall…and just join the crowd at the LFM to browse all the ingredients you need for a perfect DADabration. OK, OK…I’ll stop now.
My personal pick is one of the quintessential combos of June goodness…strawberries and rhubarb…perfect together.
NOTE: This is probably the last weekend to find either of these ruby-red delights at the produce stand. Fingers crossed. Assuming we strike (red) gold, here is a recipe straight from the pages of Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle*: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
*BTW: A market buck is still available to anyone with a good summer read suggestion around food, farming or bees, birds and butterflies. Come see me!
If baking isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of options…just take a look at the list of vendors below. Maybe some wine and cheese? Or beer and salsa? Beef jerky for his next fishing trip? Or pies and cakes, already baked. We even have a new offering: Pezone Cello for some sweet sipping, Italian style. Please sip responsibly.
This week’s Vendors:* Big Sky Bread, Fruitwood Farms, Green Zebra Farms, Herrcastle Farm, Mitchell & Mitchell Wines, MyHouse Cookies and Pies, Potato Homestead, Wilson’s Curiously Good Foods, Cheryl’s Southern Style, Dock Street Beer, Jerky Jack, Kia’s Cakes, Solrig Farm, Taste of Puebla, Creative Shepard Farms, The Icery, Pezone Cello, The YMCA
*For a full season schedule of who’s coming when, just go to the LFM site and explore.
Or, forget the concert tickets and just spend some time (always appropriate) sitting with Dad at the Landing, enjoying the music. This week is an annual favorite:
In the Music Tent: Slim’s Combo will take him back to rock ’n roll heaven. Maybe you can get Dad to show off his jitterbug moves.
Artist of the Week: Pidge Molyneaux’s organic MWM Designs. Stones and beads combine with a sophisticated southwestern vibe.
Health & Beauty: Sara Burns Kiss My Soul Naturals. Sara is my go-to for long-lasting candles with intriguing combinations of scents. Try herbals in the kitchen to whisk away stale cooking odors.
Guest Community Table: Union AA. We can’t say this often enough: support this unique and totally donation-driven organization whose sole purpose is to give Lansdowne an annual July 4th celebration like no other…from parade to fireworks. It can’t happen without you.
In fact, almost nothing that happens in Lansdowne would happen without the volunteer support of its citizens…from fun events, to environment to civic involvement. When a town is volunteer-driven, there’s always someone who would love to see you there. So raise your hand.
JUNE 29: First Community Day: All of the spaces for June 29th are now filled with area businesses; look for more details closer to the date.
One last word: On a site that is largely about enjoying bounty, it’s appropriate to mention that not everyone can partake. The Interfaith Community Cupboard here in Lansdowne helps to keep hunger at bay for many of our local elderly, shut-ins and disadvantaged. With the end of school, add in kids now without a reliable daily meal. Please consider dropping a few spare bills in the Community Cupboard jar at the manager’s tent. Helping others is a great seasoning for your own food.
Dad’s all, folks! (sorry…not sorry!)
Terry Baraldi