AUGUST, 2010

THE
STURBRIDGETIMES
THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING
MAGAZINE

THE FIRST ANNUAL

BEST OF
GREATER STURBRIDGE
AWARDS
BALLOT ON PAGES 20 & 21
COUNTRY LIVING
It’s finally here
and it’s big. Well, that
can be a relative term, but it certainly is the largest farm-
ers market in our area of Western Worcester County.
There have been several markets days so far and the seven-
teen vendors are about to be joined by some more.
The West Brookfield Farmers Market has opened with
a bang. With confidence, we can attribute its success to a
couple of factors. There is the indefatigable energy of
Amy Dugas who took on what looked to be a never end-
ing process. The other major aspect is never underesti-
mate the power of Route 9 going by the West Brookfield
Common to attract a crowd.
The Route 9 magic is seen in the other events that take
place there. The Asparagus Festival, the flea market put
on by the Congregational Church, and other events all do
well. The venue, which is the perfect model for a Norman
10 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE
By Richard Murphy
Rockwell Saturday
Evening Post cover,
adds to the overall appeal.
The problem was getting to the Common. Amy
knew that was the place to do it. As she put it, “No
one wants to drive off the beaten path.” Though
there was some small opposition, most of the town
supported the market. The Board of Selectman was
amenable to reason and helped the process along.
Still, bureaucracy had to be served and it may have
seemed to some that the market was never going to
get here.
No matter, on June 30th, a year after Amy and her
friend, Susan Lepage, first broached the subject, the
market debuted. The scene on the common was only
enhanced by the idyllic weather. The Wednesday
market day is planned to lead into the concerts on the
common program and
get a push from that. It almost seemed superfluous as
most of the vendors had been doing a steady business
from the minute the market opened.
A stroll through the market is a pleasure as you are
greeted by pleasant, enthusiastic gardeners.
Chris Sturgeon of Little Rest Farm in Brimfield is
a man of many vegetables and was doing a good busi-
ness. Beth Evangelista of Barre brought milk and
cheese and ice cream from her Ayrshire Cows.
Jim DiMaio of Hunt Road Berry Farm sold out of
his West Brookfield raspberries long before the mar-
ket was over. Barbara Pilch’s table had a diverse lot of
jars. The name of her operation, In-a-Jam can tell you
what she was selling. Amanda Chabot of the farm
bearing her last name in Barre had vegetables and
brightened the market with flowers.
Mary Kathryn Wyle of Misty Brook Organic Farm
had assorted vegies on offer. Josh Kemp sold out of
his eggs early, but was more than happy to provide
some corn or quench thirsts with lemonade. From
Oakham came Brynne of Brynne’s Bread with cinna-
mon raisin bread and poppy seed bagels.
Mary Jones will sell you raw goat’s milk, but at her
Summit Farm in New Braintree. She did have her
neighbors Wine Ridge Farm goat cheese at the mar-
ket. The sweet tooth was not forgotten. Donna of
Everyday Homemade Bakery brought pastries. Her
cakes are exquisite and she makes a great stromboli
too.
Linda Fuchs, known as the mainstay at the
Brimfield Farmers Market represented her own green-
house as well as Breezy Gardens at West Brookfield.
Her big sellers were cukes and blueberries. Town
Farm Gardens from Brookfield, known for their
daylillies and hostas were on the common as well.
Rich Giordano;s All Hill Farm had baskets of 12
types of berries. Rich specializes in the oddball vari-
THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING
 Don’t miss out.
Wednesday afternoons
from 3 to 6 pm
until
October 27.

eties up on Kennedy Road. Heather

Bednary represented Brookfield’s well
known Lamoureux Greenhouses. What
was their most popular flower? Passion
Vine. Sweet Arts is a West Brookfield
Institution. Linda Pelletier left her
stand to wander and people respected
the honor system for her lemon, peanut
butter and chocolate chip cookies.
© 2010 Sturbridge Times Magazine photo by Richard Murphy

If you like naturally leavened breads, AMANDA CHABOT OF CHABOT FARM

you’re not alone. Louise Garwood of
Five Loaves Bakery was doing a brisk
business satisfying folks who seemed not
sure if man does not live by bread alone.
If man does not live by the loaf
alone, there is also music. Rich
Giordano and Suzanne Lepage with
Gregg Ackerman make up an informal
guitar trio to entertain shoppers. Jeff,
Amy’s husband will be joining them on
mandolin in the future. Want to be
part of it? Bring your instrument.
It won’t just be music. Amy and
friends in brainstorming mode have
thought to have some ag and food relat-
ed talks. Subjects such as composting
and pruning and food prep are planned.
For the final market on October 27th
there could be a harvest themed event
with kids carving pumpkins and a cider
press to celebrate the season’s end.
So don’t miss out on Wednesday
afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Amy said she “loves to see people arrive
with empty cloth bags and leave with
them full of the veggies of the season.”
Come on, make Amy’s day.

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 11