by Jack Moffitt

Hello again fans and supporters of the Market!

Sad news – loss of a true friend of the Market – Barry Horn

This passing week, the Brownsville Farmers Market lost a true friend, Barry Horn. I didn’t know Barry well, but I knew his deeds. While under his direction, the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art opened its door each and every Saturday Morning during Market Season. Market patrons were graciously allowed the use of the facility and often treated to complimentary coffee and pan dulce. At the end of last season, the Museum allowed the use of the facility for a luncheon at which all food and drink was of Market origin. Barry was not only gracious while we overran his facility’s kitchen, he was most helpful in pointing out equipment and features that made the kitchen work easier. Throughout it all, he was cheerful. In many situations like this, people often exhibit petty territorialism or assume pompous attitudes, when their “turf” is invaded. Barry did not. He was a true friend of the Market. I hope his family knows that all of us associated with the Farmers Market send our prayers and best wishes during this time of grief.

Can you do something good in the next two weeks?

Of course you can! Here’s how : Take the fruits of one of your talents and donate it to Sunshine Haven. They will pick up donations at the Market on November 14th. They will take anything that they can sell individually or combined into a gift basket – produce, cookie, baked goods, plant starts, home-made crafts, artworks, etc.

They need these by the 14th, because on November 15th they are having a big honky-tonk fundraiser out at Winks Saloon and Roping Emporium out on FM 1421. There will be music, big screen Cowboys football, roping, brisket, chicken, and all kinds of good stuff. Donations at Winks are $40/adult – $20 kids, the time is 2 p.m.to 6 p.m.

Sunshine Haven is a non-profit end of life special care facility in Olmito. It operates solely on donations, fundraisers and grants and doesn’t charge the people who go there for care in their final mortal times. It is truly a reflection of a community when it supports such an operation.

For tickets call Charlene Rowles, RN CHPN, the Executive Director of Sunshine Haven at 350-8400, email is SunshineHaven .

OK now let’s lighten up!

Kathy Martin, the Market Manager says costumes are encouraged – vendors and customers alike. Halloween on a Saturday, how rare us that? Also. there will be several Craft vendors, face painting for young and old and the Methodist Church’s pumpkin patch.

Out at Bayview Veggies we are in-between crops, so the bulk of our harvest will be some Italian Dandelions and an assortment of sprouts, peppers and chives.

Amanda Clint emailed in a note that she was bring in Tomatoes, assorted succulents including Madagacar plalms, lime trees, bromeliads and anthing else that looks good from Palm Gardens Nursery.

Now for the “Max Report” from Max Graybill:

Hello Mr. Jack,

Some of what was seen last week at the market: plump avacados, bags of pecans, soybeans, sprouts, a Vietnamese style cucumber, calabozcitos, nopales, okra, squash blossoms, and corn.

Yahweh reports that they should have some chard this week, and we were excited to see Miss Alice’s cranberry/rosemary bread that we had taste tested the week before (good stuff).

Jam Makin’ Rose was back with her splendid preserves, and she will be back this Saturday. Catch her while you can, because she won’t be back for another month. She’s got some new jams, including old fashioned apple butter.

The artisan bread gals had their special breads loaded-with-veggies. What a great way to eat the food pyramid.

Looking to plant your own garden, be it vegetable or local native plants? Transplants aplenty were seen leaving the market………what a great place to go to make sure you are getting local plants that you just know are suited for our area. Mom says there’s a certain helpful boy at the honey stand willing to help carry your plants to your car (who in the world could she be talking about?)

It is still early for citrus – most of it still green. But should we let that stop us?Last week, Miss Ruth cut open a tangerine from a batch she had for sale at the market. The aroma made me crazy for a tangerine! She gave me a piece, and it was delicious. I was surprised to see that the tangerine was still green!

Some vendors are reporting that fresh eggs are slow right now – chickens are molting (even our parakeets are molting) and in no mood to lay. We have one crazy chicken that has moved out – she still shows up to hunt bugs with her friends all day, but disappears at night………go figure.

The crafters are coming! The crafters are coming! Yes, this Saturday look for hand made jewelry, cards, birdhouses, woodworking, aprons, totes, and more, all made by local crafters.

Last week, we enjoyed meeting the shelter dogs up for adoption. Especially the friendly blue heeler wearing the donation vest. Everytime he shook, there was a shower of coins.

And was there a corner in the Driscoll Children’s Hospital ambulance that my little brothers did not explore?

See ya at the market,
Max

Thanks Max, and we’ll all see you at the Market!

Your Humble Correspondents

Jack Moffitt and Max Graybill

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The Brownsville Farmers’ Market
Saturdays from 8am – Noon
Linear Park
Harrison St. between E. 6th and E. 7th