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As is the tradition, the first day of the market began with a ribbon
cutting ceremony. Those standing behind the ribbon included LMH
Hospital Administrator Dolan Dalpoas, Lincoln Memorial Hospital
Foundation Director Riley Brackney, LMH Community Health
Collaborative Director Angela Stoltzenburg and CHC Assistant Cindy
Smith, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, City Clerk Peggy Bateman, Illinois
Representative Tim Butler, State Senator Sally Turner, Junior Miss
Logan County Alayna Briggs, Little Miss Logan County Sophia Farmer,
Logan County Tourism Director Alice Roate and LMH Market Manager
Jamie Jones.
Senator Turner and Representative Butler were introduced and asked
if they would like comment. Turner said, “Thank you all for all you
do. Thank you to Dolan and Jamie for their efforts they make to keep
this together. To the mayor for everything he does to keep things
organized and to lift up our town and also Logan County. You know
everybody comes from all around to bring their products here and
make Logan County a healthier community.”
When Turner had finished, Butler spoke up saying that the only thing
he had to add to Turner’s comments was that “all you got to do is
open the farmers market to get the sun to come out.”
It had been a long cloud filled dreary spell until Saturday.
Mayor Welch said, “That is a tough act to follow. They said it all.
But, thank you to LMH for all you do in our community.”
It was shared that Market Manager Jamie Jones had asked not to be
called on to speak. A burst of laughter came forth when it was
announced that she would turn the tables and make Dalpoas do that
job for her.
Dalpoas began, “I want to thank Senator Turner, Representative
Butler, Mayor Welch, and especially all these here (indicating the
rest of the folks behind the ribbon) for being here today. It takes
a lot to bring this together.”
He noted that it takes a lot to build a strong healthy community
including a good hospital and a good source for healthy foods. He
concluded, “We have a great hospital and we have a great group
here.”
Jamie Jones held the scissor for the official pre-cut photo, then
with help from the large crowd watching, the countdown was conducted
with Jones snipping the ribbon right on cue.
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The ribbon cut was concluded with about two minutes
to spare. Everyone behind the ribbon rushed back into the market
building to make last minute preparations while the crowd patiently
waited for the first opening bell of the season.
That bell was rung by Senator Turner at exactly 8 a.m. and everyone
filed inside for the first day of shopping at the LMH Market.
The official entrance to the market is the west door of the second
building from the north end of the exhibit barns at the Logan County
Fairgrounds. Inside the door the market management station hosted a
large blackboard talking about the events at the market including
the chance to spin for up to $1,000 the first Saturday of each
month. On the second and fourth Saturdays Lincoln Memorial Hospital
will be on hand doing cholesterol and blood sugar tests. The Third
Saturday of the month will be Snap/Link program triple match day at
the market. Volunteers were at the stand answer questions about the
market offerings.
The building was filled with vendors including some familiar faces
such as Maddox Sweet Corn from Warrensburg and Sam-Sational Sweets
by Samantha Danosky.
There were several returning vendors such as Odelehr’s Market and
Ioerger Family Farms. There are two meat vendors this year, MKS
Livestock and Fifty-Four Farms.
Other products offered this year included Itty Bitty Micro Farms
with their greens, Dave the Baker, and Knead Bread? with homemade
bread products, and Brooks Kountry Honey with a variety of honey
products, and many others.
The LMH Community Health Collaborative is once again offering the
Power of Produce for kids. The POP is an opportunity for kids to
participate in education and fun activities that earn them market
dollars to spend with the vendors. Other options for kids included
The Zoo Lady, a balloon artist, and the toddler play area located in
the north barn.
For those wanting a morning pick-me-up as they shopped the Café’
Cushman was on hand with coffee and other beverages. This year the
market will feature breakfast and lunch offerings by Amigo’s Tacos.
The food court was not open on the first Saturday but signage
indicated that it will be in the near future.
Also offered at the Market is The Taste of the Market. The vendors
provide sample sized items from their wares, and Market volunteers
were handing those out in the north barn.
This year, the market is offering free space to local
not-for-profits to promote their services to the community. The
first week Special Olympics was on hand. Also the Lincoln YMCA was
present discussing memberships to the local facility.
And of course, there was the Market Swag table with a variety of
merchandise for sale including t-shirts, canvas shopping bags,
kitchen tea towels, coffee mugs, and a token pouch.
As part of the morning, shoppers were given tickets to use for a
spin to win opportunity as they left the market. The spin
opportunity was offered in the north building at the door that
shoppers were asked to exit. Prizes on the wheel included market
t-shirts, mugs, totes, and opportunities to win up to $50.
Special opportunities this year include shopping online from a
selection of vendors for quick pick up on Saturday morning. The
online ordering opens midweek with a listing of participating
vendors and the products available. The online shopping window is
narrow, only a day or so, but information about when shopping is
opened and closed is shown on the market facebook page. The website
address for shopping is https://www.localline.ca/the-almh-market.
Also, the market is offering free rides to and from the market. To
get a ride call Calico Cab at 217-732-8294. When you arrive at the
market, you may pick up a ride ticket at the LMH information booth
to give to the driver. The ticket will pay for your trip to the
market and your trip back home.
[Nila Smith]
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