The Long Goodbye

No matter how many years I’ve been doing this, I’m always surprised at this juncture…at how fast the summer slipped by even at 100+ degrees,  at how pretty this town is in Autumn, and at how much I’m going to love sleeping in after this final Market Day.  Truth, sistah! 

So… it’s another long wait till that first scarlet strawberry, crisp asparagus stalk and sweet sticky peach season.  Eight months to melon season.  Countdown starts now.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy the last hurrah…

As in each year, this last regular market is all about the littles…and Halloween, and candy and fun.  Of course, in case you hadn’t noticed, the vibe of the day has mostly morphed from ghouls and goblins to space cadets and superheroes and heroines.  Witches on brooms are at a premium.  But princesses still do make an occasional appearance.  Along with an occasional two legged dog or cat.  BTW:  You may want to leave the four-legged variety home…they tend to be scaredy cats on Halloween.

The vendors will have some treats…There will be music by our favorite DJ, Joe Foley, a firetruck!!! and some creative activities for the kids…right up until the grand parade is launched by Mayor Magda.   So BE THERE…and be scared.  And be prepared…to stop and shop…because many of this season’s vendors will be there, as well as some local entrepreneurs and organizations for our final Community Day.  

This may also be your last chance to place your order for an Amos Stoltzfus turkey…12 to 18 lbs of gobbled goodness.  And maybe, if interest is there, for some eggs, some chickens and possibly even some goats’ milk.  Stop by Dan’s tent to place your order for pick-up right before the holiday.   

And before we fade off into the sunset…Our annual Thanksgiving Market will be on Saturday, Nov. 23…as always, all of our vendors are invited to be there.  This is a great chance to make a start on your holiday gift list.

NOTE: Don’t take my word for it, but we just might be in our new old space for that market…so keep your ears open…but wherever we are, we hope you will be too.

 In fact, we’re already planning our events calendar for the 2025 LFM season, with some old fun…like the return of Doggie Day, and some new ones too.  So be prepared.

On that same subject, I have to give mention to all of you who managed to find us at are temporary quarters on Highland Ave,  It was a much easier transition than we could have dreamed, and we are grateful to all the work that went into making it so.  Looking forward to next year in our re-done digs…word on the street is that, thanks to the mild weather, the process is ahead of schedule.  We can’t wait to see the new iteration.  Occupying the same acreage, our Lansdowne Landing will now be rechristened as Veterans’ Landing, as an homage to our uniformed men and women past, present and future, who keep the rest of us free to be. 

One last thing…We had planned, but failed to execute our 2024 Bake-Off…Only one contestant signed up.  So there she was on Saturday, proudly bearing her peach tart with chili crisp…So what else could we do…but devour it!   Kudos and a chef’s hat to Jobi Okin Zink.  Next year she will take the field to defend her title and her toque.

Artist of the Week:  A Heather Bag for holding all the things.   Great gift if you’re makin’ a list.

In the Music Tent:  Lansdowne’s favorite DJ Joe Foley, keeping the kids…and their growns…at fever pitch in the spirit of the day.  

I’d also like to thank all of the musicians who share their talent with us week to week.  I’ve loved welcoming back old favorites and introducing new ones.  This year we had everything from classical to classic…romantic to rock ’n roll.  Even a Mills Brothers tune…(look them up).

Signing off…just for now…

Terry B.