June 14, 2017
Fresh in Ferguson
Around Town Hazelwood Fire Department hosts public safety day for residents. P.3 Laugh along with Cindy Moore in ‘Bye the book.’ P.5
Community Voices By Dr. Gloria J. Johnson. P.2
Special Section
Healthy Living. P.6
Learn & Play Photos by Sara Hardin
Patrons and vendors mingle at the Ferguson Farmers Market in Ferguson’s Victorian Plaza on June 3.
Ferguson Farmers Market provides food and fun to North County on a weekly basis By Sara Hardin Since 2002, the Ferguson Farmers Market has provided farmers and local artisans with a venue to share their produce and products with visitors from the surrounding communities. Fifteen years strong, the market still runs in Ferguson’s Victorian Plaza on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; a bustle of hungry families and community regulars who attend the market as a weekly ritual. Special events and live music keep the atmosphere fresh each week, and while the farmers and vendors tend to stay consistent, there is something new to be seen with each visit. “We try to keep it pretty similar, but it varies a little each year,” said Marveena Miller, Manager of the Ferguson Farmers Market. “We have a special event and a band each week. We have everything from farmers to vendors selling jewelry, pasta, candles and garden stepping stones. We just got approved for our liquor license, so we’ll be able to have wine tastings and beer for German Fest and some fun events like that. Our huge event this year is June 24. Mayor Knowles and Councilwoman Lipka will be featured in the dunk tank. We have a circus workshop, games and some other fun events.” David Bohlen with Bohlen Family Farms is one of the local farmers that participates
in the market each week. The farm offers a wide variety of produce at its booth, and is in its fourth season of selling at the market. Bohlen explains that aside from the opportunity to sell to market visitors, one of the biggest benefits of showing up each week is the chance to meet other farmers and community members. “(The market) has definitely been a great place to build relationships with other small
business owners as well as with people who live in Ferguson,” said Bohlen. “It’s a great thing to do with your family, have some hot food and get some nutritious produce. It’s just a nice place to be on a nice Saturday morning.” Bohlen says that one of the other great things about the market is the music that is played each week. Visitors can grab some lunch from one of the onsite food vendors and listen to some live tunes as they sit back and relax. Performers change weekly, providing an audience to hardworking local musicians. Zack Reckamp, a guitarist who played at the market on June 3, says that his experience performing at the market gave him perspective on how it has brought its visitors and their communities together. “At one point I had a person from every age group watching me, from a 10-year-old boy to a 70-year-old couple,” said Reckamp. “It was a great, positive environment with plenty of interesting things going on. Everybody was extremely friendly and the people who put it together were wonderful. I think it is a great event that really brings people from outside of Ferguson to see something really unique and positive about the community. It’s something that everybody can enjoy.” See ‘FRESH’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 96 No. 24 | 636-379-1775
Savory summer grilling. P.11
Movie
Pixar back in racing form with ‘Cars 3.’ P.16
Weather FRIDAY Sun; Scattered Storms 92/68 SATURDAY Sun; Scattered Storms 92/70 SUNDAY Sun; Scattered Storms 93/68 FirstWarn Weather
prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.