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 The
ribbon cut began at 7:45 a.m. with representatives from ALMH and the
city of Lincoln being joined by Illinois Representative Tim Butler,
some of the ALMH Market volunteers, and a number of former members
of the Chamber Ambassadors, including Deron and Christi Powell,
Marcia Cook, Karen Hargis and Roy Logan.
Nila Smith began the ceremony with a thank you and acknowledgement
of all in attendance, which included city of Lincoln Alderman Jeff
Hoinacki, City Clerk Peggy Bateman and Mayor Seth Goodman.
Representing the ALMH Market were ALMH Hospital Administrator Dolan
Dalpoas, ALMH Foundation Director Sarah Helm, ALMH Community Health
Collaborative Director Angela Stoltzenburg and the new ALMH Market
Manager Chelsie Campbell.
It was noted that outside the Market doors, the weather was looking
gloomy with not much potential for a good day. However, shoppers
were quite fortunate in that the ALMH Market is held inside. Smith
noted, “When ALMH said they were going to start a Farmer’s Market in
Lincoln, we all hoped it would be successful, but I don’t think any
of us imagined just how successful it would be!”
Each year the market has evolved and changed, and grown into
something that Smith said was not just a summer shopping experience,
it had become a summer destination in Logan County.
A big thank you was offered to the administration at ALMH, who three
years ago had the insight and foresight to think outside the box,
and say, “We don’t just want to take care of people when they are
sick, we want to help them stay well.”
Representative Butler was asked to say a few words. He congratulated
the Market on its success and noted that he is involved in
committees in the state legislature that address the farmer’s market
program, and he is a proponent of farmers markets. He said that
locally, his favorite story is that of Ethan Hoinacki and his coffee
roasting business. He said he was happy that he was able to assist
Hoinacki in getting his home roasting license when issues arose with
the state.
Butler also spoke about bills that went through the state congress
that made it easier and more beneficial for those utilizing SNAP
benefits to shop at farmer’s markets.
He concluded by adding his own ‘thank you’ to ALMH for their
commitment to the farmer’s market program.
Mayor Goodman also offered congratulations and thanks to ALMH for
creating and development of the market.
Hospital Administrator Dolan Dalpoas spoke last saying that he
wanted to thank everyone for coming to the opening ceremony. He said
he wanted to offer a big thanks to the Logan County Fairground Board
and particularly Mike Maske, who had worked so well with the
hospital to get the market established. He expressed appreciation
for the many volunteers that work at the market each week helping to
make it a good experience for the shoppers, as well as the vendors.
He went on to say he really appreciated the vendors who have made
the commitment to come each week. Dalpoas said that there were
several new vendors. He concluded, “We did this because we wanted to
advance our mission, which is to improve the health of the people in
the community we serve.”
With the speakers concluded Mayor Goodman joined Market Manager
Chelsie Campbell in snipping the ribbon.
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At 8 a.m. the bell rang and the market was officially
open for shoppers. Inside there were familiar faces of vendors who
have been coming to the market since it began. There were also a
number of new vendors offering a wide variety of products. Items
offered for sale spanned a wide variety including beautiful hanging
baskets, bedding plants, spring vegetables, such as asparagus and
lettuce, home made breads and other baked goods, fresh locally grown
meats, local honey and honey by-products such as bees wax, and a new
smoothie bar.
Local organizations such as the United Way of Logan County were also
on hand.
There was a toddler play area and the Kids Zone was
open. Children had the opportunity to stencil and paint their own
reusable canvas shopping bag, and also learn lessons about the
“Power of Produce.” Face painting was offered by the Zoo Lady and
Aaron’s Party Balloons was crafting balloon objects for the kids.
Abraham Memorial Hospital offered the “Know your numbers” booth
allowing shoppers to check their blood pressure, weight and BMI
(Body Mass Index), as well as cholesterol and blood sugar levels
checks.
Know your numbers will be offered on the second and fourth
Saturday’s of each month. On the first and third Saturdays, a
hospital dietician will be on hand to talk with shoppers about
healthy eating habits and making smart food choices.
One very nice success story from the market is that
of Nicole Cox and Ethan Hoinacki. For the first two years of the
market the two had separate booths there each week. Cox offered a
wide variety of sweet baked goods, while Hoinacki was selling his
own select roasted coffee products. A few months ago the two joined
forces and opened a brick and mortar location in downtown Lincoln.
The Guesthouse offers Hoinacki’s coffees and other beverages along
with Cox’s baked goods and other food items.
This year the pair also have the market café at the ALMH Market on
Saturdays. The Guest House was at the market offering a breakfast
menu and noting that they were using local products and products
from the farmers market. The sign at the counter explained that in
their breakfast sandwich they were using bread made at Deep Roots
Café’ and Bakery in Lincoln. The eggs were purchased form Ioerger
Family Farm, a vendor at the market. In addition, Odehelr Farm jam
was being used, as well as nut butter from Gone Nuts, both vendors
at the market.
Mandy Corday was on hand promoting recycling, and there was an
opportunity to drop off recyclable items at the market.
Live music was offered by Toocan Toones, and at 9:30 a.m. there was
a live cooking demonstration offered by Chef Denise from Copper Pot
Cooking Studio.
Outside the Central Illinois Community Blood Center had their
bloodmobile set up outside the building for those who wished to make
a donation.
Bounce houses were also set up outside, and several children took
advantage of the popular play area.
Throughout the morning, traffic was steady at the market, with folks
coming in to enjoy the offerings of ready-made foods, shopping the
potted plants for Mother’s Day, and taking advantage of the
offerings of meats and vegetables.
The market ran from 8 a.m. to noon and on Saturday evening Angela
Stoltzenburg reported that there had been roughly 2,000 visitors to
the market on opening day.
The market will run every Saturday throughout the summer. The doors
open each week at 8 a.m. and close at noon.
[Nila Smith]
See these slideshow from opening day
Season opener starts with a ribbon
cut - slideshow
Market offers plenty of buying
opportunities - slideshow
Fun, food, and entertainment top of
the day - slideshow
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