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 31st 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 12th and 19th 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.
