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The day began with shoppers gathering outside the
barn awaiting the ringing of the bell at 8 a.m. The ringing of the
bell signifies when shoppers may enter the building and be waited on
by the many vendors who are there to sell their wares.
This year, Lincoln Memorial Administrator Dolan
Dalpoas and LMH board member Deron Powell did the honor of ringing
the bell for the first Saturday of the season.
As guests piled in, there was much for them to look
forward to as they traveled from vendor to vendor purchasing
everything from fresh spring produce to homemade marshmallows, meat,
bread, and even new this year Elkhart Hill Wine created by the Conn
Family.
There was also a vast variety of sweets from Zinful
macarons to cupcakes and sweet breads to savory baked goods such as
the many items offered by Knead Bread.
Once again this year the Triple I Garden of Ioerger
Farms arrived with tons of fresh asparagus and dozens of beautiful
hanging flower baskets and small succulent plants in whimsical
planters.
In one corner of the barn the LMH nurses were busy
with the “Know Your Numbers” project. Shoppers could take a seat and
have blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar tested on the spot.
The market typically offers a different health awareness program
each week and rotates them monthly. One can check the LMH Market
website to learn what weeks know your numbers will return to the
market.
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While there were some amazing spring veggies at the
Odelehr’s Market such as Romaine and Leaf lettuces bigger than your
head, fresh asparagus, green onions, rhubarb, fresh strawberries and
more, some of the best-looking veggies at the market were found in
the kids play area in the second barn of the market.
Children could pretend to pluck the fresh veggies out of the garden
and then load them up in a shopping cart if they chose.
Other activities for kids included the Power of Produce craft table,
face painting, a bounce house outside the market entrance, and a
juggler and balloon artist for entertainment.
Ami-Gos Tacos was back in the kitchen area this year
in the second barn, serving up breakfast tacos made to order with a
choice of proteins such as eggs, ground turkey or chicken and a
selection of typical made fresh taco toppings.
For those who may be unaware, Ami-Gos suffered a fire on Friday
morning at their food truck in Lincoln. Featured on the counter was
a bucket for donations for the recovery of the popular stop in the
heart of the city.
Back in the first barn, the Taste of the Market table was quite busy
as shoppers had the opportunity to sample radish toast, and cured
meats and cheese.
Outside the Brew 66 coffee wagon was on hand offering
up a variety of drinks for shoppers to sip on as they made their way
around the market barn.
Other attractions inside the barn were some of our
better-known community service organizations. Patti Becker was on
hand with the United Way of Logan County Dolly Parton Imagination
Library reading program. The Pregnancy Resource Center was on hand
as was Joe Schaler with the CIVC Veteran Tiny Home project. Schaler
was collecting names on the 2X4’s of Hope for the next home build in
Logan County.
All in all, the LMH Market was a fun and exciting way to start a
nice spring Saturday, and the many smiling faces of the shoppers
told the story of how happy everyone is to have the market back in
Lincoln for another season.
The LMH Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday
throughout the summer.
[Nila Smith] |
