Anticipation!

We're more than ready for those wonderful tastes of summer -- strawberries, beans, peaches, corn... My stomach is growling in agreement as I write this! Well, Maggie here couldn't wait another minute. She had to have corn this weekend. She has deep midwestern roots, so I can't say I blame her. We picked out the best-looking ears at the store, shucked them and boiled them for only a minute or two. This was our Saturday lunch. No butter, no nothing to get in the way of that sweet, delicious, pure corn. There may have even been a few kernels eaten raw. And just think how much better it will be this summer, when we can walk up to Cheverly Community Market on a Saturday morning and return home with bags full of the best stuff on earth: fresh produce, in season!

Introducing Our New Market Manager, Liz O'Leary

We're very excited to introduce our new Market Manager, Liz O'Leary, to you! 

Tell us a little about yourself… (how long you’ve lived here, family, what you do around town…) We moved to Cheverly almost 11 years ago. At that time we only had our oldest son Dermot and I was pregnant with our daughter Erin. We had our other son Declan five years ago. We found Cheverly through friends who had grown up here. We were immediately attracted to what a vibrant, friendly community it was. It didn’t take us long to settle in and become involved in many of the community organizations around town, I’m on the boards of the local nursery and Catholic school. The great thing about Cheverly is what a supportive community we have. 

Why did you want to get involved with Cheverly Community Market? I absolutely love our market and I’ve enjoyed watching it grow over the years. I wanted to get involved because I’m excited about our potential, about where we are going. I see us as a child you’ve watched grow and now we are entering our school years. You can’t help but get excited about what we are going to do. Adolescence may be ugly but just wait until we reach adulthood!

What would you like people to know about the Market? I want people to know that even though we are a small market we have everything a larger market might have. We have such amazing vendors.  I like to think of us as feisty!

What are you looking forward to during the upcoming season? Seeing our old vendors return and welcoming our new ones. It’s like returning after school break and all your friends are there waiting for you.  

What are the most important factors to you in buying food? How does purchasing products at farmer’s markets fit into your shopping plans? Whenever possible I try to purchase fresh over packaged. I also try and choose whatever is in season and pick recipes accordingly. With three children in the house we are always busy. I find that planning my meals for the week helps take the pressure off what to make for dinner. When I shop at the market I work into my menus whatever I find at the market that looks good that week. I try and buy my pantry staples there too–peppers, herbs, greens, etc.  

What’s your favorite meal to cook? Well, I grew up in the south so my obvious favorites are go-to Southern staples- fried chicken, gumbo, stuffed peppers, etc. We always had four to five different vegetables on the table at each meal. My grandmother canned everything from my dad’s garden. We would eat homemade pickles and chow-chow all winter long. Summer was the best though, because we would have always have fresh tomatoes and cucumbers on the table. Also–whatever fresh vegetables my dad had picked that day. I will die dreaming of my grandmother’s creamed peas with new potatoes.

Do you do all the cooking in your house? Do your kids cook? My husband Pat and I try and share the cooking in our house. Whenever possible we try and cook together. He’s a bit more adventurous than I am–throwing recipes to the wind. I, on the other hand, enjoy researching new recipes and finding the perfect one. I even test recipes for Cook’s Illustrated.  My cooking style has changed over the years–less fried foods and more emphasis on healthy and fresh combinations. It’s about finding a balance. Our kids do cook as well, and can make some basic meals for themselves. We try to include them in the process whenever possible. My grandmother taught me to cook, to which I attribute to my lifelong love of food and cooking. I hope my own children develop this love the way I did.

Please help us welcome Liz. We're thrilled that she's with us!

At the Market This Week: Your Mayor

We have a special community guest at Cheverly Community Market this Saturday: Mayor Mike Callahan (shown right). In addition to all the work he does around town, Mike is a long-time supporter of the Market and coordinates our setup and breakdown volunteers. We're very, very lucky to have him!

Come out Saturday morning and visit with Mike -- he'll have a special Mayor's table and a few chairs -- and share your concerns, ideas, experiences. He's a very good listener and we know he's looking forward to having an opportunity to talk about Cheverly with you!

Music at the Market: Charles Andrews of The Hot Noodles

Charles is a Cheverly fixture -- he's one half of ChvBlog, a frequent musical guest at Cheverly Weekday Nursery, Cheverly Day, Cheverly Swim & Racquet Club's Adult Night and other local venues...as part of an acoustic duo or his full band. Charles makes significant contributions to the quality of life in our town, and we're grateful that he volunteers his musical services at nearly every Market. Here are a few things you may not know about Charles: He's a local through and through, born and raised in Washington, DC. He's a classically trained composer. His great great grandfather was a Civil War general. He's learning to dive. He makes a fantastic (though infrequent) peach pie. He likes science fiction. He's turning 40 really soon. Do you feel like you know him just a little better now? Good. Now, if you've been to the Market, here's something you already DO know about Charles: he's a really great musician with a wide variety of influences. And he's pretty funny. Ask nicely, and he may even play those Rush and KISS songs you've been hankering to hear (or Elvis Costello, The Clash and The Cure, if that's more your speed). But do me a favor and request some of his originals. They're lovely. And please tip -- four hours of playing in the heat is hard work! (I nearly forgot! He's also one half of local concern (and occasional Cheverly Community Market vendor Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea, the best tea in Cheverly!)

See you Saturday at the Market!

Market Faces: Congratulations to Abby Lal!

Cheverly Community Market would like to take a moment to congratulate Abby and send her good wishes for her first year at Parsons School of Design in New York City. If you've been to the Market (or spent time at the pool, or most anywhere in Cheverly) you know Abby. She's been a fixture at the Cheverly Breadbasket tent, a lifeguard, babysitter... We'll all miss Abby's smiling face and wonderful spirit, and can't wait to hear about her adventures in the Big Apple. When you see her mom, dad, or brother Nick at the Market this weekend, make sure to be extra sweet -- they'll be missing their girl.

Have a great time, Abby...and study hard!

Who's at the Market this Saturday? Cookies to Cocktails!

Liz Esposito of Cookies to Cocktails is very popular with the kids (and the adults, too!) Cookies to Cocktails makes these great little cake pops -- chocolate-coated cake on a stick -- that kids adore. And you don't have to feel bad about giving in to their demands on this: cake pops are made with fresh ingredients (including most of the really important food groups) and they're small, so no one gets too full. The cake pop has been a big hit at the Market, so this week, they're bringing a lot... chocolate chip, red velvet and chocolate cake (by popular demand!) Cookies to Cocktails will also have fresh-baked cupcakes (chocolate with peanut butter icing; red velvet with cream cheese, vanilla and chocolate with buttercream), muffins, vegan cupcakes (if you tried the vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes before they sold out at last Market you know how good these are!) and sugar cookies. And since Liz knows you what goes best with cupcakes and cookies, she also brings ice-cold milk and water. Who knows...we hear Cookies to Cocktails may even bring some test kitchen surprises!

See you Saturday at the Market!

Who's at the Market this Saturday? CUMC Fair Trade Coffee Tea Gifts

This is not your grandma's church basement coffee! Cheverly United Methodist Church offers fair- and free-trade coffees and tea at every Cheverly Community Market, in addition to chocolate and other gifts. But right now, I want to talk about coffee.

This stuff is goood.

I've been enjoying it iced for the past several markets -- just black with lots and lots of ice, though I hear that milk and sugar are delicious in it, too. (Actually, I usually go hot for my fist cup of the day, iced thereafter...) Now here's a special Market twist: iced coffee with chocolate or vanilla soy milk. Now, that is a great hot summer morning treat, and you'll be glad you ordered one (so glad that you may order a refill...they offer a discount for refills, or if you bring your own mug.) If coffee isn't your thing, CUMC makes wonderful iced tea, and they also have organic juice packs for the kids. My advice: get a pastry or a muffin, some fruit, and an iced coffee. Sit down and chat with your friends and neighbors at one of the long tables with the pretty tablecloths. Watch the kids dance. Maybe after that coffee, you'll want to take a spin on the dance floor yourself.

See you Saturday at the Market!

Who's coming to Market this Saturday? Circle C Oyster Ranch

We are so glad to have Rich Pelz back with us at Cheverly Community Market. We're glad that he's bringing his amazing oysters and blue crabs, but we really look forward to chatting with Rich at each Market -- it's always amusing and educational!

This week, Rich is bringing jumbo, regular and cocktail-size oysters and some of the tastiest blue crabs you'll find anywhere. These crabs are fresh and very feisty -- they gave Rich quite a fight last Market!

See you Saturday at the Market!

Cake Maker Extraordinaire Liz Esposito: Cookies to Cocktails

Project Manager turned baker extraordinaire, Liz Esposito traded in her spreadsheets for spatulas! She will be bringing an array of tasty treats to this year's market. Market-goers can look forward to an assortment of delectable homemade cupcakes, cookies, brownies, her famous cake pops, and a few test kitchen surprises! She also makes custom cakes and desserts for all occasions. Check out her website and photo gallery here. Make sure to stop by, welcome Liz and buy some of her delectable treats this Saturday at Cheverly Community Market!

Another vendor coming soon...

At last December's Holiday Market, did you stop by the Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea table? These local boys bring some of the very best teas around directly to you, all packaged prettily (hand-pulled, silkscreened labels and all). Their first series sold out, and they're well into their second one.

Today, they're featured in the Washington Post Express. Go to page 23. They'll be at the Market soon, but we wanted to highlight local Cheverly boys making good on this rainy day!

Our House Band: The Hot Noodles

Cheverly Community Market is unique in large part because of our awesome house band, The Hot Noodles. The Cheverly band has been rocking throughout the region since 2005 and they play a mix of originals and covers, both old and new. They're regular performers at The New Deal Cafe, Mayorga Coffee House and other DC-area locales, as well as annual Cheverly events, including Cheverly Day and Cheverly Swim & Racquet Club's Adult Night. We're very fortunate to have Charles Andrews & Kelly Fisher play duo performances, too. As well as being Market regulars, Charles & Kelly have performed at Cheverly Weekday Nursery's Truck Touch and on Progressive Blend Radio. They are both members of Cheverly's Beatles cover band, Soul Revolver. We hope you enjoy the great music at the Market. We love that many customers pick up coffee and pastries and hang out to watch the band ... and occasionally dance. That's the best. Please make sure to let our great musicians know how much they're appreciated!

We could use a few great volunteers!

Do you know what makes this Market work? Our volunteers. The community has pulled together to make Cheverly Community Market, and we rely on our community every week. We are eternally grateful to these fantastic supporters who lend their heads, hands and backs.

Are you interested in helping us? We could really use more volunteers to help with setup and breakdown. If you can help, or if you want to learn more, please email us.

Thanks!

The alpacas are coming!

We're very happy to pass on this great news: old friends Pax River Alpacas will join us for the opening day of our 2009 Market season! Pax River has some of the nicest yarn you'll ever touch. These fibers are strong and warm, and wonderful to knit (or felt) with. Make sure to stop by, say hi to Sue and her family and meet the alpacas!

Cool story: Get to know our vendors...

Matt Rebert sent us this great story about his grandfather and the history of Rebert Farms. We love learning the back story of our vendors and friends! The article was written by Tom Piper for the Adams County Fruitgrower’s Association. Benny’s Fruit Market Benny’s Fruit Market, located on the west side of Old Route 30, the Lincoln Highway, near McKnightstown, in Adams County, in its’ 36 years of existence has become a landmark for those seeking to purchase fresh fruit in season. A family business started in 1965 by Stanley and Evelyn Rebert, the market continues since 1988 to uphold its reputation for dependable quality under the second generation of owners, Gary and Kathleen Sterner Rebert. Stanley or “Benny” Rebert as his high school buddies nicknamed him, was born August 15, 1921, third of five children in the family of Ornan and Helen McGlaughlin Rebert. He had an older brother J. Ruhl, and three sisters. The family lived on the former Emory Wentz property, owned in recent times by Mr. And Mrs. Ingolf J. Qually at 980 Flohr’s Church Road in Franklin Township, Adams County. His father worked for the Franklin Mining Company, extracting ore from the west side of Flohr’s Church Road on the farm. When this firm declared bankruptcy, Ornan moved the family to Fox Hill Orchard where he was employed by Chester Eshelman, a son-in-law to John Musselman. In 1927, Ornan joined with his brothers John and Clair in forming the Rebert Brothers partnership. They purchased the 216-acre Keller Orchard near Orrtanna, with apples, peaches and some open farmland. Stanley grew up on this farm, developing his interest in the fruit industry as he worked in the orchard with his father and his uncles. He remembers the 300-gallon sprayer powered by a Leori two-cylinder engine (this engine remains in use today), which was pulled through the orchard with a team of four mules. Spray material was nicotine to control codling moth plus lime and sulfur for the control of apple scab. Tobacco stems were brought from Lancaster County and boiled to extract the nicotine for use in the spray. The brothers retired in 1955 and the orchard was sold at public sale to El Vista Orchards. Times were tough in the late 1920s and 1930s. Peaches, if you could sell them, brought 50 cents per bushel, remembers Stanley. The varieties were J.H. Hale, Elberta, and Belle of Georgia. Apples were packed in wooden barrels and were exported to Europe; one popular variety was the King David. Later, one-bushel baskets were the container of choice and the apples were marketed in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Pickers were paid four cents per bushel for picking apples. Stanley attended Grammar School in Orrtanna and was graduated from the Fairfield High School in June of 1940. He started working for the Orrtanna Canning Company in 1941, firing a boiler at a wage of twenty –seven and one-half cents per hour. When the canning plant burned in 1943, Stanley was transferred to I.Z. Musselman Orchards. He found Mr. Musselman to be a wonderful person to work for and stayed on for a total of 26 years, working as a manager or foreman for twelve years. There were no mechanical harvesters in the 1940s and 1950s. School children by the hundreds were transported to county orchards to pick cherries. Evelyn Miller, a dairy farmer’s daughter from the Low Dutch Road east of Gettysburg, a high school senior, was among the 200 pickers employed at the I.Z. Musselman Orchards. She met Stanley in the cherry orchard. They married June 5, 1948. Benny’s Orchard and Market Stanley or “Benny” Rebert takes pride in the fact that he designed and had built the house in which they live at 765 Old Route 30, between Cashtown and McKnightstown. His wife Evelyn was one of five children of Theron J. and Esther M. Miller. She and Stanley are the parents of daughters Carol and Debra, a son Gary, and a foster daughter, Ellie Owens, who is a Penn State graduate. The family provided a temporary home to seven foster children through the years. They have seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild. Stanley and Evelyn purchased two tracts of land totaling about thirty acres and located on the Green Ridge west of Cashtown, in 1958. When he decided to go in business for himself in 1967, he began by clearing twenty acres of this land and planting it to fruit trees. Designed to supply the demand at Benny’s Retail Market, the twenty acre orchard included apples, peaches, pears, sweet and tart cherries, plums, and apricots. Nearly one acre was devoted to strawberries, which Stanley says was the most profitable crop he produced. He liked the Raritan variety, which he grew on the matted row system. Other small fruits such as blueberries and raspberries together with some vegetables: sweet corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers were also grown. Apple varieties included Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Stayman but also Transparent, Summer Rambo, Smokehouse, and Jonathan to extend the marketing season. The first apple trees were on standard rootstock, trained to a low growing form, not a difficult task since the soil did not support vigorous growth. Later plantings established in the 1960s were on M106 semi-dwarf rootstock. While Stanley tended the orchard, Evelyn worked for 30 years as a Teachers’s Aide in the Gettysburg School District and during the summer months and in spare time, managed the family and the retail market. The orchard and market provided employment and valuable learning experience for the children as they grew up. The market was always neatly painted, clean, the produce of excellent quality and well displayed. Surplus fruit was marketed wholesale to Ralph Sandoe in Biglerville and to Knouse Foods Cooperative for processing. When he retired in 1988, Stanley sold Benny’s Market to his son Gary and daughter-in-law Kathleen. Kathleen now manages the market and the family finds time to grow strawberries, other small fruits and some vegetables for sale there. Gary runs his own masonry business. Now enjoying what he terms “partial retirement”, Stanley enjoys time spent in a deer stand in the wood lot adjoining his former orchard. A member of the local fire company and the Adams County Fish and Game Association, he also enjoys fishing and introducing his grandchildren to these sports. Stanley Rebert says he has enjoyed his career in the fruit industry. While it meant a life of hard work and not a little risk, it has positive advantages, which produced a good living for his family. He pointed to the changes in consumer demand at the retail market, reflecting the changing life styles of our society. Purchases of smaller quantities dictate changes in packaging and merchandising to maintain sales volume. Matt adds: Since that article was written, my parents Gary and Kathy have bought the rest of the farm from my grandparents. Benny’s Market is still running strong. A few things have changed from the time this article was written. The Leori sprayer was retired in 2007. My grandparents now have seven great-grandchildren. We now grow a larger variety of fruits and vegetables. Everything we grow is sold retail as fresh fruit, we no longer wholesale or grow for the factory. My parents have three children, Matt, Marci, and Mark. I graduated from Penn College in 1999 and work full time for my father’s masonry company. I am married and have 2 young boys. My sister graduated from Franklin & Marshall and is currently finishing her Master’s Degree. She is married and lives in nearby Fayetteville, Pennsylvania. She helps run the fruit stand on weekends. My brother went straight to work after high school. He too is a mason by trade. He is married and has two young daughters. Since settling in Adams County, the Rebert men in my family have either been masons or fruit farmers. My father chose to do both. My brother and I have also chosen to do both. My parents bought one tract of my grandparents land, my wife and I the other. My parents, brother, and I all live in houses on the farm. My brother and I recently thought that it would be an appropriate time to once again expand the farming operations. We were thinking of ways that we could keep our children interested and active in the farm. That’s when we came up with the idea of attending a farmer’s market. I hope that this has given you a better background on my family’s farming history. We look forward to working with you in the future. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, Matt! We are really pleased that Rebert Farms will be joining us at Cheverly Community Market this season.

Simple Pleasures Ice Cream This Weekend at the Market!

Our favorite local purveyor of ice cream, Simple Pleasures Ice Cream of Bowie, will bring some great flavors to opening day of the 2009 Market season! They'll have banana pudding, lemon ginger, stracciatella,vanilla, chocolate, mango Italian ice, pina colada Italian ice, and maybe even a few others. You're welcome to place orders in advance for quart and 1/2 gallon size containers. Email info@simplepleasuresicecafe.com or telephone: 301-809-6988.

Make sure to stop by and catch up with Terri and her family Saturday morning. Order a scoop or some to take home. In our experience, ice cream makes an excellent Market morning breakfast!

New Vendor Profile: Reberts Farms

Our third major new produce vendor for the 2009 Market season is Reberts Farms, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

A third-generation family farm located in the mountains of Orrtanna, just outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, they grow a plethora of fruits and vegetables, including sugar peas, peas, onions, red beets, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Lima beans, cantaloupes, watermelons, sweet corn, strawberries, black berries, red, yellow, and black raspberries, blueberries, red and white potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, patty pans, jack be littles, bird house gourds, gooseneck gourds, cucumbers, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, butternut squash, buttercup squash, lakota squash, blue hubbard squash, pumpkins, egg plants, apricots, peaches, nectarines, dark and white sweet cherries, sour cherries, and eight different types of plums. And they grow apples! Lodi, Tansparent, Summer Rambo, Ginger Gold, Gala, Honey Crisp, Macintosh, Cortland, Jona Gold, Golden Supreme, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Stayman, Northern Spy, Banana, Smoke House, Grimes Golden, York, Rome, Sweet Paradise, Jonathan, Granny Smith, Empire, Zestar, Starks Delicious, Fugi...most of us have never had an opportunity to taste many of these varieties. What a fantastic treat!

We're so pleased to bring this amazing new vendor to Cheverly Community Market. Please stop by the Reberts Farms table on Saturday morning...you won't regret it. This week, they'll have delicious strawberries and rhubarb...maybe spring onions and a few potatoes. Introduce yourself to Matt Rebert or any of the other friendly people there, get some of their wonderful produce and enjoy opening day of the 2009 Market season!

We have a surprise!

We're thrilled to announce that our very favorite oyster ranchers, Rich Pelz and his crew from Circle C Oyster Ranchers Association, will be joining us at the Market again this season. For those of you that have tasted these unique, flavorful morsels, you already know what a treat they are. And we understand that, in addition to bringing these regional treasures, they've got some wonderful surprises of their own in store for us. Stop by, say hi, pick up some treats, and catch up with Rich and company this Saturday...our 2009 OPENING DAY! (You can read our vendor profile from last season here.)

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

We're asking people involved in Cheverly Community Market -- vendors, volunteers and friends -- what they're thankful for this holiday. In a time of uncertainty and stress, it's good to remember those everyday things that make you grateful, and we'll post these messages throughout the next few weeks.

"I'm thankful for my lovely and talented wife, Kelly Fisher."

Erik Dunham, co-owner of Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea

"I'm always thankful for Kathryn and our nutty kids, and I'm thankful (and amazed) to have found such a great town where I haven't just gotten to know our neighbors but have joined with them in so many pursuits. From Erik and our tea business, to Dan on the CHVBlog, to Kelly & Nate in the Hot Noodles, to the many Brians of Soul Revolver, and to whatever comes next."

Charles Andrews, co-owner of Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea and member of The Hot Noodles

"I'm so thankful for my wonderful family and friends, and for our fantastic community. Cheverly really is a unique place -- some people think that towns like this don't really exist, but here we are."

Kathryn Andrews, webmaster for Cheverly Community Market

What about you? What are you thankful for this year? We'd love to hear from you!

Harvestfest Pumpkin Patch @ C&E Farm

If you've visited the Market, you've no doubt met Emma Dudley of C&E Farm. Mrs. Dudley brings the lovely herbs and other plants, beautiful Jerusalem artichokes and other plants to us. During Saturdays (10:00am-4:00pm) in October, C&E Farm is celebrating their Harvestfest with a great pumpkin patch, including face painting, small animals, hayrides and, of course, fresh produce. C&E Farm will also host groups by appointment on weekdays, so if you're looking for a great fall outing for your school or community group, consider a trip to the Dudley's farm! You can read more about C&E Farm on our vendor page, and read our vendor profile of Emma Dudley here.

C&E Farm

11415 Old Pond Drive

Glenn Dale, Maryland 20769

telephone: 301-352-2958

KidMarket Was Great!

Thanks to everyone who came out for Cheverly Community Market's very first KidMarket -- we had so much fun! Between face painting, a hike at Lower Beaverdam, making jewelry and t-shirts, getting cool wooden swords, eating cupcakes and ice cream, and completing the Treasure Map, we're all pretty tired!

We also want to thank all the community groups, vendors and volunteers who worked so hard to make this special event a great success. We hope you all had fun, too!

Photos are up on flickr.

Did you take photos at the Market? Want to share them? Join our flickr pool!

We'd also love to publish your Market stories on the blog -- email your story about what you did, what you made with your Market goodies, etc.

This week and next, we'll post recipes for Scott's homemade peanut butter, pizza dough and applesauce, an article about nutrition for teens, some Market profiles and more on the blog. Fall is gearing up to be an exciting time for Cheverly Community Market -- come back and visit!

See you Saturday, October 5, at the next Market.