It's hard to believe that almost two years have elapsed since I wrote what I thought was my last column in this space. I had had two operations on my eyes, leaving me with permanent damage to retina and optic nerve. The result was the inability to focus on the drawing board. I accepted that I was finished as an artist.
But Gaea, my favourite goddess, has her own way of dealing with us mortals. Show proper love and respect for her planet, and she might come through for you - as she has for me. My vision still isn't what it once was, but hey, it has improved enough for me to draw again. So I'm welcoming myself back to my beloved Coast Reporter with a big fanfare. If you have an interesting site for me to draw and a good story to go with it, give me a call, or better yet, drop around on a Saturday morning at the Sechelt Farmers and Artisans Market between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. I have a space just in front of the Raven's Cry Theatre ticket booth, where I meet my readers. There are only two regular farmers markets on the Sunshine Coast - Fiddlehead in Gibsons, in the park behind the swimming pool (open June 16 until Sept. 15), and ours at the Raven's Cry Theatre (April 5 to Sept. 27). I talked with Roberta Wright, the stylish site manager for the Sechelt Farmers and Artisans Market. She's the one who tells us vendors where to set up and makes sure we're out in time for movie matinée parking.
"It started out in Roberts Creek in 1993," Roberta said. "There were just six members. They sold baking, produce and plants. A year later they relocated to the Gilli-gan's parking lot in Sechelt, where they remained for two years before mov-ing to the space at the end of Wharf Road, where the playground and pier are now. It was windy and cold! In 1997 they accepted the Sechelt Indian Band's invitation to set up in the parking lot in front of the Raven's Cry Theatre. "Vendors have grown from the original six to an average of 50. In order to be given a space, they must obey the motto of the market: make it, bake it, grow it. We are not a flea market. Our vendors offer freshly harvested produce, plants, preserves, baked goods, eggs and an amazing variety of home-crafted wares."
I can tell you from personal experience that shopping at the market is an experience in itself. I have been a member for 11 years, and I've watched it grow and prosper.
Not only is it good for local backyard farmers, it's also a healthier shopping alternative when produce is at its peak of freshness. Our customers include not only those locals who shop us each week for veggies and gifts, but also tourists from all over the world. Besides farm produce, we also include artists, writers, woodworkers, glass artisans, soap makers, jewellers, landscape accent designers, musicians and fabric artists. "We have become a weekly social event and a gathering place," Roberta went on. "It takes a good hour to visit all the booths, graze on all the various goodies and samples and chat with vendors and friends. Folks bring their kids and dogs each week. Seniors are especially welcome - lots of room for walkers and wheel chairs.
"Seasonal treats include new potatoes, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, garden herbs and corn, and sometimes, if you're lucky, barbecued salmon and prawns. So come on down!"
Coast Reporter is proud to welcome back Terry Barker. His column will appear in the last edition of every month. He is the author of the Sunshine Sketches trilogy and A Walk in Snickett Park, his new coffee table book of art photography and poetry. He accepts house portrait commissions. Call him at 604-885-0278 or email him at [email protected].
