It's a ........... cultural event

Wow! What an incredible day at the local farmers and artisans market - just imagine one of the largest farmers markets in the area coupled with a car show! Two dynamite events.

My friend J, a Hmong man who came to this area as a teenaged refugee over 20 years ago, sells egg rolls in the booth next to ours. He was surprised to see the turn out at the car show and asked me if I knew the anticipated attendance. I was surprised to hear him use the word "anticipated". I was unaware he knew the word - obviously his english skills have improved greatly in the past few years. So, we chatted about the anticipated attendance, and then he asked what is the purpose of this "car show" gathering?

I stumbled around just a bit trying to explain just what is a car show. J wanted to know if there was a money prize for the best car. At Hmong festivals there is frequently a cash prize for the best soccer team, or badminton team or dance team. He seemed puzzled when I told him no cash prize at this event.

Well, I thought I'd try to explain why the car show was such a big deal that hundreds of classic cars would show up along with thousands of admirers. So I pointed out a 60-something year-old lady who was dressed as a bobby soxer - hair in a pony tail held in place by the folded scarf, white shirt - untucked, of course, blue jeans rolled up into big cuffs, white socks and tennies. I said - that's how she would have dressed as a teenager in 1957 - and that car she's standing next to would have been a popular car in 1957. Ah, J said, nodding that now I get it head-nod. He said, "This is a cultural event - you are showing your children how you used to live."

Ah, yes. Although I've never quite heard of a car show referred to in that manner, J did indeed get it right - it's a .....cultural event.

Location, location

Ever heard the expression "It's all about location, location"? Well, sometimes it is. We're thrilled with our location at the Two Rivers Farmers and Artisans market - right on the corner of 17th and Washington. Next to one of the egg roll vendors, none the less! How cool is that?

Our little market has exploded this year, and we are now one of the largest markets in this area. The market committee has decided that assigned vendors spots will ease setup - yes!

Here's what you can expect to find at Saturday's market -- Fresh spring veggies and fruits - strawberries (yeah!), bedding plants, perennials, honey, maple syrup, rag rugs, market bags, rain barrels, jewelry, folk art and other incredible hand crafted items.

Shazam

Shazam! What a day we had at the farmers and artisans market. We were so busy at one point that we had trouble keeping up with our customers - what an incredible situation to be in [le chuckle]. Traditional summer weather for this bit of peninsula sticking out in Lake Michigan was the order of the day - sunny, but not too hot. A great day to be out and about at the local farmers and artisans market.

Customers just loved the new items in the booth. Soozee's coverall totes were a hit this week, as were the maple syrup and honey bears. Some of the folk art garden fences went to new homes this week. Customers' faces just lit up when we' told them the garden fences were constructed from cabinet maker's scrap and lathe recycled from an old plastered wall. That folk art fits so well with our green commitment - it's made with recycled or scrap wood, left-over bits of paint and lots of talent.

The Cool City Classic Car Show - over 100 classic cars - is coming to town on Saturday, June 28th. So we'll see what that brings to the market. We have extended hours that day so folks attending both events can just wander between the two all day long. Well, at least until 5 p.m., when the cars leave to go home - or maybe on a cruise first.

So, here's to living in the best little city on the lakeshore and being a part of the best place to be on a Saturday morning.

How we got our name

We really got our name from Soozee. She's an urban gardener - you should see her garden! It's all fenced in - like a Scottish croft. I'm so impressed with what she's done with that little bit of land, and it's amazing what that little bit of land produces. There are fifity-some varieties of fruits and vegetables in that little plot of hers, planted in an updated version of French intensive beds.

And me, I create satchels and totes from recycled fabrics and findings. No two are the same. They make great market totes, purses and shoulder bags. The latests works are called Cheap-o Bags - little bits of fabric and buttons turned into tiny purses just large enough for a credit card or some paper money. Tuck one into a pocket and off you go.

So here we are Soozee and Maria - Satchel and Croft.