The Village Green in Orlean, No S Necessary

The Village Green in Orlean, No S Necessary

Sandra Gilliam could easily be described as the Godmother of the Red Truck Bakery, mainly because her Orlean friend and neighbor, Red Truck founder Brian Noyes, got his start selling all manner of goodies—granola, cookies, pies and cakes—out of her own eclectic antique-and-everything-else shop called The Village Green more than a decade ago.

Sandra Gilliam with her mascot Charlie.

“Every Saturday morning there would be people in the parking lot waiting for Brian,” she said. “He’d put it out there on the front table, leave for the day and I’d sell it. He’d come back at the end of the day for the money. He was quite a promoter, an amazing guy.”

The same could probably be said of Gilliam, an 84-year-old bundle of energy who has a little of everything in The Village Green, from the work of local artists, antiques, cheese, crackers, wine, honey, stuffed animals, bird mobiles and lots more. She’s open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and make sure to say hi to Charlie, her adorable and terribly mannerly Border, Jack Russell and Cairn terrier.

This one is our favorite.

There are goodies galore throughout the multi-room Village Green building.

The Village Green is well worth an outing to Orlean.

There are a number of old copper molds for what can be called classic congealed salads.

For walking, hiking or working in the garden never ever wear cotton socks. They absorb the sweat and cause blisters. Here we have the perfect pair.

Not sure if we should send this to Ted Lasso or post it on our front door.