The sheep shearing demonstration was a big hit at the opening of the North Union’s Farmer’s Market. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

21st century version of market day at Crocker Park
By Thea Steinmetz
happenings
Published DMay 11, 2005

The weatherman had predicted rain for the opening day of the North Union Farmer's Market. Mercifully, he was wrong. Crocker Park was the place to be. Promptly at nine o' clock in the morning the opening ceremonies were presided over by Donita Anderson, market director and Barbara Franzen, the president of this not for profit organization. It is the sixth market of this type in the greater Cleveland area and by early accounts, will become a new tradition.

The opening blessings for the market was offered by Father Donald Snyder of St. Ladislas. He brought a smile to the many present with his opening remarks of: " As we gather this morning in the sunshine..." Fittingly, he blessed the marketplace with a bundle of Italian parsley, dipped in Holy Water and prayed for the farmers in the hope of a good harvest.

The many shoppers and onlookers were already in the aisle before the official opening. The sparkling white tents lent a feeling of celebration. The question on many minds was "what could possibly be offered so early in the season.' The answer is simple, plenty.

Hydroponically grown selected salad greens from Akron were the hit with many shoppers. At 75 cents a head, they were a good price. Sold with the roots still attached, the greens stay fresher longer.

Frank and Linda Stanek came all the way from Mansfield and wanted everyone to know that their Frank-Ly Organic farm soon will bring fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, apples and a variety of sweet and hot peppers, as well as ten varieties of lettuce to Crocker Park.

Sirna's Farm Market, located in Auburn specializes in heirloom and ethnic vegetables. They promise to bring the best super sweet corn later in the year. For this day they sold spicy sprouts that add a punch to any salad. Even sprouted sunflower seeds were available.

Closer to home merchants included Hanson's Greenhouse in Olmsted Falls offering herbs from their own greenhouse. Uncle John's Plant Farm, also from Olmsted Falls found favor with the spectacular gardenia standards at a reasonable price, with large white and fragrant flowers. Dean's Greenhouse sold their own annual flowers and vegetable plants.

There were free range eggs and organic beef from Rose Ridge Farm in Waynesburg, Ohio. The owner, David McMaken said he traveled exactly 90 miles to Crocker Park.

Amish made fresh ice cream was sold and how it is made is a story in itself. This is not an easy endeavor. A John Deere tractor provided the churning power and one buyer said "that is the hard way to make ice cream."

Dr. Ed and Mary Beth Mansour of Fairview Park were happy to see the wonderful artisan breads from Breadsmith in Lakewood. This franchise operation is owned by Sabina Kretzchmar and she bakes bread daily in the old crusty European style with the best of ingredients.

Marilyn Rhinehalt of Olmsted Falls had a great time, just looking around, making some purchases and saying " this is wonderful". She met friends she had not seen in a long time and was surprised at the overall festive atmosphere.

The same reaction came from Lynn Brady and her husband, Kenneth, the Councilman of Ward 5, where Crocker Park is located.

Robert Perry, the Planning and Economic Director of Westlake was there to take it all in. In addition to the North Union Farmers Market moving into this city, he is also very pleased with the opening and the success of Trader Joe's right next to the outdoor market.

Parker Bosley of the New American Bistro, a longtime purveyor of fine restaurant food, kept his omelet pans busy. His samples melted in your mouth. With the addition of fresh spring herbs of chives, parsley and lovage, it was the best omelet I ever had. He was quick to give credit to the free range chicken eggs used.

Parker will be back in coming weeks to show how to use other fresh products. He is a great champion of organically raised beef and will offer suggestion on how to use it.

Lollie and Roger Cooley have been life long residents of Westlake and are a bottomless fountain for the historic information of this area. Roger remembers that this was once a great grape producing location. During the depression, the growers could not sell their harvest. Ethnic people in Cleveland had earlier bought the grapes to make wine. With that source of income gone, they had to come up with another idea to utilize the grapes.

It was then that a cooperative of wineries was born. They started to make wine from their own grapes and the bottles could be kept till they found buyers.

Also, it was fitting that a sheep shearing demonstration was part of the opening day festivities. On the very spot of this event, sheep were grazing during the earliest part of Westlake's history. It was amazing how often I was asked "did you see the sheep shearing?"

It is impossible to cover all the purveyors. Among some of the busier stands were the sweet fudge, the Amish cereal, granola and luscious rhubarb bundles.

Aside from looking, buying and sampling, it was a great morning to meet neighbors and old friends. It may well be that a community that once thrived on fresh produce farming is establishing a 21st Century version of the farmers market of days long gone by. Judging from the reaction of those that came for opening day, this market will thrive. "I won't have to go to the West Side Market anymore" was one shopper's comment.