What’s Happening at This Week’s Orange County HomeGrown Orleans Farmers Market
The Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market is located on the west side of the beautiful historic Congress Square Park in Orleans, Indiana, and takes place each Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Please support your local growers, bakers, artists and handcrafters by shopping at the Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market. Bring your friends and family!
Last week we surveyed our wonderful vendors. Here’s what they expect to have at the Orange County HomeGrown on Saturday, August 8, 2009:

From the Farm: beets, blackberries, cabbage, cantaloupe, chard, assortment of peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggs, eggplant, garlic, green beans, herbs, kale, maple syrup, meat (beef), okra, onions, sweet peppers, potatoes, red raspberries, summer & winter squash, tomatoes, tomatillo, zucchini, watermelon, fresh flowers, plants
From the Kitchen: bagels, cake, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cornmeal, fudge, jams, jellies, lemonade (4 kinds), muffins, sugar free muffins, noodles, pies, quick breads, raisin bread, salt rising bread, scones, sour dough breads, tea, Kool-Aid, yeast breads
Art and Crafts: aprons, baby bibs, bags, baskets, bean bag toys, bird houses, candles, cat hammocks, cloth books, clothespin bags, crochet, handcrafted crochet needles, cutting boards, horseshoe crafts, hypertufa, jewelry, leather goods, painted gourds, painted tools, planters, photographs, purses, quilts, recycled bags, rugs, rustic furniture, signs, soft goods, soaps, stationary, stilts, monogrammed towels, wooden bowls, wooden toys, wreaths, wool yarns, woven items, knit & crochet kits with unique pattern designs using plant fibers such as cottons and bamboo (Includes FREE jumps start lessons with any kit purchased with assistance as needed throughout projects)
Host Tent: farmers market gift certificates are now available

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS:
This week we welcome back our chef buddies from French Lick Springs Resort for another Farm to Fork Chef Demo. Be sure to check out the chef demo tent at 10:00 to see what they will make with the produce that they purchase this Saturday from our wonderful local vendors. There will be free samples and recipes while supplies last. We’re also bringing back the popular Farmers Market Bingo Game. It’s easy and fun to play. Here’s how. Pick up a specially made Farmers Market Bingo Card from the Host Tent. On the card you will find photos of our vendors, volunteers and special features at our farmers market. As you do your shopping, look for the people you see pictured on your Bingo Card. When you find someone pictured on your card, ask that person for a sticker. Place the sticker on the matching photo. When you have five stickers in a row across, down or diagonally, show your card to the Host Tent volunteer and you’ll get a coupon to spend at the farmers market!

OUR VENDOR OF THE WEEK: Anne Pittman is this week’s featured vendor. She’s new to our farmers market this season. You’ll find her in her tent surrounded by colorful vintage style aprons that she makes herself. She also sells pin cushions, dolls and doll clothes. Any of the items in her booth would make perfect gifts for friends and family. If you are visiting her booth when the timer rings, you’ll get coupon!

LOVE YOUR FARMERS MARKET CONTEST UPDATE:
As of August 3rd, we are ranked #21 of the top 100 farmers markets in the nation! Here are a couple of love note quotes left at the website about our farmers market: “It's so personal, talking with the producers and hearing their experiences in growing. Going to our farmers market is like going to a community “family” reunion. It's very peaceful and relaxing. The music and special events are really great. It's the highlight of my week!” “Our farmers market offers such variety and good vibes! The community spirit is so high and unifying. Love the attitude and music.” If you think the Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market is the best in the land, and then please cast your vote for us so that we can win the Love Your Farmers Market Contest and help us defeat the big city markets ranked above us! You can cast your vote online at http://fromaliceskitchen.blogspot.com/ When you get to this webpage, click on the Vote Today button on the right side of the screen. While there, check out some yummy husband-tested recipes. There are over 200 recipes on the page so far. Recipes featuring ingredients found at Lost River Market & Deli and the Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market are put to the test and added to the blog on a regular basis.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mark your calendars for Customer Appreciation Days! Orange County HomeGrown Orleans Farmers Market will be Saturday, August 15th and the Orange County HomeGrown Valley Farmers Market will be Tuesday, August 18th.
If you are looking for a gift for someone special, farmers market gift certificates are now available for purchase. You’ll find them at our Host Tent. The gift certificates can be used to purchase any item from any of our friendly vendors.
Buck-a-Book is in need of children’s books and cookbooks. Please consider donating or trading children's books and/or cookbooks at our Buck-a-Book trailer.

REPORT FROM LAST WEEK’S MARKET:
Nothin’ but blue skies did we see at Congress Square Park at this week’s farmers market. It was just a lovely day to be out and, boy did we all get out! We broke our all time record with 82 vendors in attendance! We were quite busy in the Host Tent registering eight new vendors. (We now have 151 vendors so far who have registered this season, also a record.) Our customer counts were high as well with 136 at 9 a.m., 233 at 10 a.m. and then 201 at 11 a.m. Several visitors took advantage of the pretty morning to participate in our free yoga class. Janabai Raymundo of Lost River Market & Deli presented a very informative Grow-Your-Own Sprouts class. Visitor Judy Thompson won the grand prize of 3 sprouting jars with special sprouting lids as well as seeds to get her started. Janet Kennedy and Nathan Pate, recently featured in the news, led a discussion about sustainable living and using less energy, after which they welcomed attendees to tour their earth shelter, energy efficient home.

OTHER GREAT FEATURES AT THE MARKET: Be sure to stop by to see our BUCK A BOOK where you can browse a great selection of books. (We have thousands!) We welcome the donations of books for the book trailer. All of the money from book sales goes to support Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market (Orleans). Buy a book for a buck or trade two books for one book. Visit us at the Host Tent and have a free cup of coffee courtesy of our neighbor, Maple Street Restaurant. We also offer free ice water to wet your whistle courtesy of our neighbor The Dollar Store. We are fortunate to have friendly, helpful MASTER GARDENERS at every market. Bring your gardening questions to the MASTER GARDENER TABLE, and they will be very happy to help you! We have at least a dozen produce vendors who can accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. Look for their signs or see us at the Host Tent. These vouchers may be used for fresh fruits and vegetables only. Another great feature of the Market is the addition of the Orange County Recycling Co-op truck. They will take household items for recycling, such as cardboard, newspapers, junk mail, paper, magazines, catalogues, plastic bottles #1 and #2, aluminum cans, scrap metal, metal cans, plastic grocery bags. Please rinse out plastic bottles and remove lids. Also, rinse out cans. Please break down cardboard boxes. Many of our produce vendors are WIC VENDORS and will accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutritional Program vouchers. Visit the LOST RIVER MARKET & DELI INFORMATION BOOTH and learn more about our local community grocery store in Paoli, located at 26 Library Street behind the Paoli Public Library. This full service member-owned food co-op market not only has a deli, but also bulk items, local and organic produce, local meats, cheeses, natural foods, wine and beer. Be sure to stop by to take a look. Everyone is welcome.

FREE ORANGE COUNTY HOMEGROWN LAWN CHAIR CONCERT THIS THURSDAY:
Thursday, August 6th, the Orange County HomeGrown Arts Lawn Chair Concert Series will present a free 2 hour concert at the Paoli Courthouse Lawn. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Late for Supper will perform country tunes and then at 7:30 p.m. Margie Delph & Friends will perform an acoustic variety of bluegrass, country and fiddle tunes. This concert will happen rain or shine. Inclement weather location will be just a block away at Paoli Presbyterian Church.

ORANGE COUNTY RECYCLING CO-OP RESALE STORE YARD SALE THIS SATURDAY:
Orange County Recycling Co-op Resale Store http://orangecountyrecycle.org/ is open on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On Saturday, August 8th, they are having a yard sale. The Orange County Recycling Co-op Resale Store is located at 105 E Water St. in Paoli Indiana

VALLEY FARMERS MARKET:
The Orange County HomeGrown Valley Market is open on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. now located between the Indiana Railway Museum and the French Lick Springs over-flow parking lot just off of Highway 56. You’ll also find Valley Farmers Market vendors on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the French Lick Market on W. College Street next to French Lick Post Office with the French Lick Market.