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Haymaker Farmers’ Market

• A New Year – An Exciting Project!

  17Jan
  Categories: Mural @ the Market, Uncategorized, market business, market growth Comments Off

  Jo Anne and I join in wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, happy and prosperous 2010.  There has been much joy along with some sadness during this past year.  Cheers to better times ahead!

  As market manager, part of my job is to facilitate improvements in our market location.  Last year we were able to provide leveling of the north lot through generous donations and your hard work,  gravel spreading,  brush trimming and the placement of 6 permanent benches along Franklin Avenue in front of our market.  Continuing in this vein, my friend Jeff Ingram of North Water Street Gallery and I along with artist  Elaine Hullihen of Kent,  met a few weeks ago and discussed the possibility of improving the appearance and ambiance of our market location.

  Jeff, being well connected in Kent’s active arts and entertainment community contacted artist Elaine Hullihen, and asked if she would be interested in being involved in a mural project that  would include the columns and lintels of the Haymaker viaduct.  At our meeting,  Elaine presented some of her ideas in the form of a scale model of the bridge painted with her concept and several sketches of details of those murals.  I was very impressed with her talent, imagination and level of commitment not only to the project at hand, but also to our farmers’ market.  At her request, I made some small suggestions of additional elements that might be included such as musicians, bakers and most importantly our loyal customers.

  

  Elaine Hullihen and Fritz Seefeldt meet at North Water Street Gallery.

  After completing the final concept and organizing it into a package, it will be presented to the city manager Dave Ruller along with Kent city council.  Our ward council-person and board member Heidi Shaffer along with our city Service Director Gene Roberts  will be over seeing city communications.

  I am coordinating the funding and logistics part of the project.  I am applying for an Ohio Arts Council funding grant and hope to have it completed in two weeks. We will also be seeking local funding through the city of Kent,  private businesses and organizations as well as individuals.

  A project such as this will serve to improve the ambiance of our market site,  act as a reminder to the community of our market even during off season,  allow community participation through funding and actual painting of the mural, and act as a media and public attraction for our Kent downtown business district.  Please let us know what you think of this project and any ideas that may help to move us closer toward making it a reality.

  All the best to everyone!

  Fritz Seefeldt.

• Haymaker Holiday Market-Final Week

  17Dec
  Categories: Uncategorized, market business, market growth, music @ the market Comments Off

  We had a great time last weekend and this coming Saturday, December 19th will be our final market until next summer!  The market will be open from 9:00 am til 2:00 pm and is located inside the large heated garage behind our sponsors, Williams, Welser and Kratcoski LLC at 11 South River Street in beautiful downtown Kent!  We hope you will be able to join us we celebrate the holidays with this special indoor event. We’ll have 35 vendors on hand offering fresh seasonal produce, locally roasted coffees, various artisan cheeses, fresh baked items of every sort and many locally crafted gift ideas just in time for the holidays.  The Music @ the Market series continues with live music by Peggy Coyle and Brad Bolton, Jon Mosey and the Celtic Clan of Kent.  We hope to see every one there!

  Seasons best to everyone,

  Fritz.

  

  Bernie Chaykowski at Haymaker Holiday Market, 12 December 2009.

• Holiday Market

  25Nov
  Categories: Uncategorized, market business, market growth, music @ the market Comments Off

  

  

  2009 Haymaker Holiday Market flier.

  Thanks to the hard work of our good friend Kelly Ferry, the 2009 Holiday Market fliers are edited and Jo Anne had them printed at Wordsmiths here in Kent.  We’ll be posting them around town on just about everything that doesn’t move quickly.  If you would like to run a few off as well, you can find a link at the bottom of this post or just let me know and I’ll send you the pdf file.  As you know, the market is less than a month away and the preparations are well under way.  Our site is secured for the events, the musicians have been chosen and I’ve been in touch with the farmers, bakers and candlestick makers. It looks like we’re going to have about 30 vendors on hand again this year and we’ve expanded our winter Music @ the Market to 6 performances!  We are looking forward to seeing everyone there and Jo Anne and I would like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays.

  Fritz.

  Holiday09

• Rafael’s beautiful, bakery!

  23Nov
  Categories: Uncategorized Comments Off

  It was so nice today that I asked my dad if he wanted to go for a ride in the country to see a good friend. He was excited when I told him about visiting Rafael from the farmers’ market.  So we set off to find the bakery of which I had only seen pictures. It was a short drive  from Kent in nearby Nelson on the north east corner of the circle.  The pictures that Rafael sent to us truly don’t do his bakery justice.  It is beautiful, with a large wooden floored downstairs,  heavy wooden beams,  cherry sheathing on the ceiling,  lots of high windows and a full balcony all around the 2nd floor.

  

  Hot from the oven!

  The baking part is on the second floor at the back of the building which was formerly a church and then a gymnasium for the Nelson schools before they joined with Garretsville.  Rafael gave my dad and I as well as another couple,  a full tour of his enterprise with the sounds of Pink Floyd echoing through the ancient building and the delicious smell of his breads baking in the oven.

  

  The last 2 loaves!

  The acoustics are amazing as you might imagine, it was a church after all, would really be a great place for a concert.  By the time we left after saying our goodbyes and snapping a few pictures , all of the bread our friend had baked for the day had been sold and was on its way to appreciative families. Jo Anne is sitting at the dining room table now and says that I need to be sure to tell everyone that Rafael’s  pumpkin bread is VERY good!!! Finally she brought me a piece too and I agree, very, very good indeed!!  It would make a nice trip for you and your family and I’m sure Rafael will enjoy showing you his new bakery.

  All the best to everyone!

  Fritz.

  Map to Rafael’s bakery.

• Kent Farmers’ Market Completes Bench Project

  25Oct
  Categories: market bench, market business, market growth Comments Off

  

  Face Painter extraordinaire, Helena Esparza at Haymaker, summer 2009.

  Haymaker Farmers’ Market has dedicated six new market benches that have been donated to the city of Kent.  The benches have been installed by the Kent Service Department along Franklin Avenue in front of the farmers’ market site over this past summer season. The first bench has been provided by the farmers at the market in memory of former farmer and vendor, Frank Goodell.  Mr. Goodell, who sold his family’s maple syrup at the market for years, passed away in 2008.  In keeping the family tradition, the Goodell family still operates a stand every Saturday morning offering their fine maple syrup and related products. The Kent Environmental Council, one of Kent’s oldest volunteer institutions, has sponsored the second bench. Judge Barbara Watson along with Portage County Auditor Janet Esposito have expressed their appreciation for the market through their shared sponsorship of another of the series of benches. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent and the Kent Yoga Center, Brahmrishi Yoga have graciously provided two of the benches. The sixth in the series has been provided through a donation from baker and vendor Rafael Rodriguez and the farmers’ market. Mr. Rodriguez bakes authentic Spanish breads for his many fans at Haymaker every Saturday morning.

  The benches are constructed of recycled plastic lumber from the Plastic Lumber Company of Akron. The legs, featuring an agricultural motif were designed by market manager, Fritz Seefeldt and fabricated by Quick Service Welding of Kent. The Remodeling and Construction program at Kent’s Theodore Roosevelt High School lead by instructor Don Titko assembled two of the benches.  The manager assembled the final 4 benches.

  The farmers’ market runs every Saturday rain or shine, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm in the lots along Franklin Avenue between College and Summit Streets in downtown Kent.  Saturday October 31^st will mark the final day for the Kent market’s 2009 Summer/Fall season. Filling out the live performance Music @ the Market series will be guitarist Brian Henke, who will play from 10 am until noon. As always, the concert will be free and open to the public.

  The market will reprise with two special indoor holiday markets on December 12^th and 19^th from 9 am until 2 pm. The indoor markets will be held in the garage provided by the law firm of Williams, Welser and Kratcoski  LLC  at 11 South River Street in downtown Kent.

• Winter markets scheduled!

  14Oct
  Categories: Uncategorized, market business, market growth, music @ the market Comments Off

  

  Andrea Bussinger plays at Haymaker Holiday Market 13 December 2008.

  Friends,

  There will be two winter markets this coming December thanks to the generosity of our friends over at Williams, Welser and Kratcoski LLC at 11 South River Street in downtown Kent!  We have formal approval for both the 12th and 19th opening at 9:00 am and running until 2:00 pm.  The events will be held in the garage  area behind the law offices.

  Last year, we had close to 30 vendors for both events as well as  live music during the markets, making it a perfect social destination before the holidays.

  I hope to have a flier available for you to hand out  to your customers  for our last two markets of our summer season.  If you’re interested in taking part in these two special indoor events, let me know and I’ll start the sign up process.

  Thanks,

  Fritz.

• The Last Weekend of Summer!

  21Sep
  Categories: Uncategorized, market business, market growth Comments Off
  

  Colors of late summer by Bernie Chaykowski, 19 September 2009, Haymaker Farmers' Market

  The crickets are singing a slightly different pitch, the skies are becoming that special deep shade of blue and the days are just a bit cooler with a sharp bite of cold in the mornings and evenings.  I hate to say it, but fall is upon us.  Some people say that its their favorite time of year, others find the relentless shortening of day light hours to be particularly stressful. Regardless how we cope with the change of the season as individuals, the market is truly a spectacularly colorful place in the fall!  The orange of the pumpkins, the deep shades of burgundy and umber of the mums and the varied colors of the fully ripened peppers and eggplants lend a kaleidoscope appearance to the wide variety of produce on Haymaker tables these last few weeks of our season.

  This past Saturday, musician extraordinaire, Hal Walker entertained us with his eclectic variety of folk music. The soft spoken Hal has been entertaining the good folks of Kent for quite few years now and I always look forward to hearing him play and visiting with him as well.  Next week, the Malyuk sisters will return with hammered dulcimer and fiddle music.  The Music @ the Market series has been a lot of fun this summer, I hope you’ve enjoyed it as well.

  

  Hal Walker performs at Haymaker 19 September 2009.

  Summer’s best to everyone and  a long crisp “Indian Summer” to come!

  Fritz.

• A new arrival!

  28Aug
  Categories: market bench, market business, market growth, music @ the market Comments Off

  The market benches are all in place now, and from seeing how many folks are using them, it was a project well worthwhile.

  The benches have all been sponsored with the exception of one which will be paid for through the kind donations of our own Rafael Rodriguez and the market.  Thank you for the extra help Rafael!  The first 5 benches are sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, the Kent Yoga Center and Brahmrishi Yoga,  Judge Barb Watson and County Auditor Janet Esposito, the Kent Environmental Council and one dedicated in memory of Frank Goodell who passed away this spring. The City of Kent has generously installed them all on concrete pads at the market site.

  We have a new arrival.  Jamie and Baron Hottensmith had a baby boy, Kiedis.  Jamie brought the little fellow to the market these past two weeks and I snapped a picture of him to share with everyone. Please be sure to congratulate them on their newest addition to the market family!

  

  Jamie and Kiedis at Haymaker

  I won’t be at the next 3 markets and Kelly Ferry has agreed to step into the fray in my absence, If you have a question that needs answered, or a problem with setting up in the north end,  feel free to ask her for help!

  I hope that you all have been enjoying having the musicians playing at the market this summer. We are having a different musician booked for every Saturday this season, and have been fortunate to have received a grant from the city to help defray the additional costs associated with the expansion of the Music @ the Market program. The sense that I have gotten has been that between having the live music as well as having the benches installed, our customers are spending more time at the market. Whether this has translated into the individual vendors selling more I can’t stay, but I do know that we have a much larger crowd on hand each week. This Saturday, 29 August, Wilbur Krebs will be playing sounds from the Caribbean on steel drums. Barb Withee will be on hand the following week playing swing guitar, and the following week the Bluestones will be featured.

  

  Haymaker Farmers' Market 22 August 2009

  All the best to you all.

  Fritz.

• Hammered dulcimer music at market this Saturday!

  05Aug
  Categories: Uncategorized, market growth, music @ the market Comments Off
  

  Lisa and Heather Malyuk to play at Music @ the Market this Saturday, 8/8/2009

  Lisa & Heather Malyuk are reaching a new generation of listeners with their interpretation of old-time, Celtic, and world folk music. Lisa plays hammered dulcimer and banjo-uke and Heather plays fiddle and guitar. The pair will perform from 10 am to 12 noon as part of the Kent, Music @ the Market series. All live performances are free and open to the public every Saturday throughout the summer and fall.
  Haymaker Farmers’ Market is located on Franklin Ave. at Summit Street in downtown Kent. Hours: 9am-1pm.

• Great day in the morning!

  02Aug
  Categories: Uncategorized, market bench, market business, market growth Comments Off

  This was a phrase my grandmother would repeat on a sunny morning as the mist from the night’s dew rose from the fields in the warmth of the morning sun.   She was always happy to see the sun rise over the fields to the east of their farm house in central Michigan, it meant another day spent doing the things she loved; gardening, cooking for her family and visiting with her neighbors on her egg route.  She’s been gone for quite a few years now, but I still like to repeat her phrase when I see the sun shining in the morning, especially on a market day like we had yesterday!  We have never had a bigger or better attended market in our history in Kent.  Special thanks goes out to the talented members of Kent’s Celtic Clan who performed for us under the Haymaker Bridge.  Great job one and all!

  

  People were walking from cars parked all over the downtown area for the opportunity to shop at Haymaker. My 88 year old father found a parking spot north of the Pufferbelly and walked the 3 blocks to see us.  He said that he was glad he had brought his cane along, because the walk was a lot more than he had planned.  I spoke with customers who had parked on Water Street and walked the distance.  As vendors, I think its important to try to park our vehicles at the rear of the market lots so that our customers have better access to street front parking.  If there isn’t enough room in the north lot, there are usually extra places along the fence at the rear of the south lot.  The market lot actually narrows from the south going north.   As the season progresses it seems we have reached our peak capacity in terms of vendors. I never thought I would see the day when it was necessary for me to turn away people from selling, but this has been my unfortunate duty for the last several weeks. My phone and the market email box have been busy places with lots of people wanting to join our market family.

  Yesterday brought a few glitches during set up in the morning. I apologize for any bruised feelings.  Its my intent to preserve the integrity of the market by mixing types of vendors as well as allowing people to set up where their customers have come to expect them.  This isn’t always possible, especially when there are late arrivals, and folks setting up for the first time in the season.  I am doing my best to make things happen smoothly and with as little stress as possible. It was necessary for me to set up some vendors along the grass strip between the street and the market lot.  I’m afraid that this is something we may be doing more of in the future, but I would like to confine the double row idea to the wider parts of the market. Under the Haymaker bridge is one area that will easily accomodate this sort of arrangement.  I need your input on this as well as any concerns you may have. I still have not assigned spaces in the north lot, but will begin this process next Saturday.

  I’m still working on the market benches, but have stalled at two because of a lack of free time. If anyone would like to pitch in, we could probably have them finished in a short time. Feel free to give me a call at 330-678-5748, or just respond to this posting.

  I’m looking forward to hearing from you,

  all the best for the week ahead,

  Fritz.