By Mary Fanelli
Danbury Grange
The first of six Danbury Grange Winter Markets will open at 9 AM on Saturday, November 3, with freshly brewed coffee to accompany a sausage and egg sandwich prepared on site for vendors and early birds. A hot lunch will be offered to those who come later. Meals are reasonably priced and feature farm fresh eggs, homemade soups, and casseroles. The market closes at 1 PM.
Grange Winter Markets provide an indoor venue for local farmers and craftspeople who raise their own produce or make and sell handcrafted items. By supporting these vendors, our customers acknowledge the importance of sustainability economics – where organic, cultural, and monetary aspects of marketing are integrated.
The November market will be followed by five other markets, including the combined “market and craft fair” on Saturday, December 1. The December 1 market will be a combination of Winter Market and Holiday Craft Fair. That day we will be open an extra hour, from 9 AM to 2 PM. We will have two floors filled with craft booths and market booths that day. Anyone wishing information about the Holiday Craft Fair may contact Diane Clay at 493-3650.
All events take place in the Danbury Grange Hall across from the firehouse on the first Saturday of each month from November through April.
Market coordinators Phil and Donna Sprague of Huntoon Farm in Danbury, one of the original market vendors, will offer their delicious breads, pastries, and famous whoopee pies in addition to farm-raised beef, pork, chicken, and eggs.
Other vendors this year include Hazzard Acres Farm, featuring hormone-free pork; Haunting Whispers Vineyards in Danbury, showcasing their red, white, and dessert wines; and Phyllis Rockwell of Newfound Farm Wool Works, a popular vendor who fashions handbags and clothing out of recycled wool in addition to offering raw wool for felting and other projects.
Also returning this season are Cutting Farm, a small, diversified, naturally-managed family farm owned by Susan and Keith Cutting and known for their honey products. Barbara Weber, operating as The Purple Ant, will return with a wide selection of handcrafted and decorated items.
Produce, including root vegetables and onions along with jams, pickles, and bread, will be offered by Suzanne LeBlanc of Autumn Harvest Farm. Her hand-sewn quilts are always a welcome addition to the market with their bright colors and delightful designs.
Bob Palmer of Santa’s Summer farm, formerly Monminy’s Farm, is returning with his apples, winter vegetables, and hand-painted glass and wood items.
A new vendor being welcomed is Betsy Lynch from Buds ‘N’ Suds in Boscawen, with her homemade soaps; and last season’s part-time vendor Wendy Thibodeau has joined us as a full-time vendor with her detachable jewelry and miscellaneous crafts.
At the first two markets in November and December, Cheryl Sullivan of Grafton will offer hand-knitted baby sets and apparel such as hats, mittens, scarves, and dish cloths; and Diane Clay of Danbury will showcase her unique and colorful hand-knit felted items.
There are still spots for vendors from November through April. If you are interested, please call Donna Sprague at 768-5579 or visit DanburyGrange.org.