First, we’d like to thank all the folks who prayed for good weather last weekend. It did the trick. Saturday morning the clouds finally moved on, hopefully to someplace that would appreciate them. Next, for those of you trying to find your way in and out of the LFM parking spaces…yes, we know. And thanks for bearing with us. There was just so much going on in Lansdowne last weekend that we had to adapt and recalibrate our usual flow. Just a temporary departure from our normally well-controlled chaos.
In case you were away or on another planet last week, we finally got to roll out the never-too-late-to-celebrate 20th Lansdowne (not dale…maybe you bought the t-shirt) Arts on the Avenue festival. This is our town’s premier annual-when-there-isn’t-a-hurricane event. We had to take a hard pass last year, but returned this year under cloudless skies, with artists’ tents stretched right through the middle of town. Like we never missed a beat. We were soooo ready to celebrate that even the Philadelphia Eagles joined in the good vibes by winning in overtime! We may invite them back again next year. Mark your calendars for early October.
And before I get back to Market news, please give a HUGE round of thanks to everyone who planned, prepped and participated in making it all happen. Remember, this is all the work of volunteers, your friends and neighbors, lending time, talent and muscle. And planning for next year’s event starts…..now! Why not plan to be a part of it? Volunteers are special people.
Back to the Farmers Market. It’s October…and you know what that means…it means that yesterday was cold and damp, today is warm and sunny and tomorrow is anybody’s guess. What is for certain is that nothing is. Except that it’s time to think “cozy” and reacquaint yourself with your oven. And just to bring you back in foodie focus, I’m reposting the Seasonal Foods link here so that you don’t find yourself searching for peaches in the time of sweet potatoes. I did cross that bridge last week and brought home a lovely beige butternut squash…just in time for summer to take a curtain call. But we know that won’t last…sweater on standby.
My credo re: seasonal foods continues…I’ve waved “goodbye, see ya” to the nectarines and am now batting my lashes at the root veggies. Granted, it’s a more restrained relationship…I don’t go weak at the knees at the thought of turnips, but I feel the urge to explore the possibilities. For instance, did you know that raw turnips can add a spicy crunch to a salad or slaw? And no smell. Speaking of which, your backyard grill can be put to use all year ‘round for toasting your turnips without assaulting your nose. In fact, all the roots, like beets, sweet potatoes, onions and garlic are great on the grill…wrap ‘em up and roast ‘em.
Speaking of roasting, did the summer sun do a job on your skin? Time to start the restoration process by stopping in at one of our skincare vendors. This Saturday it’s Love Naturally…for the skin you’ll love to touch.
In the Music Tent: Hooray! An LFM favorite, Rita Wilson is doing a repeat gig. Lots of Carly Simon to have you singing along…(but not too loud…we want to hear Rita!)
It’s hard to believe that we’re in the last month our 2023 season, and folding up our tents in just 4 weeks. But we won’t go quietly! Be sure to put October 28 on your calendar for our trifecta of events: Community Day, the Mayor’s* Halloween Parade (all adults must be accompanied by children), and the return of the LFM Bake Off competition.
Be sure to read ALL of the Lansdowne Link newsletter. There’s still stuff happening.
See you at the LFM,
Terry B
*Follow-up footnote from last week: Speaking of our Mayor Magda Byrne, it was her rain poncho.IYKYK