Like the saying goes "it takes a village to raise a child"

...and on the same token it takes a community to accept and support something new so it can succeed. I'm proud of the community of York, and personally delighted in knowing that this is exactly what evolved during the first season of the York Downtown Farmers Market!

While we say goodbye to 2008 and close the lot for the season, I can't help but reflect back over the past year and a half, starting with the planning stages in Aug 2007, then to all of the people that played a roll in it's success, no matter how small or significant. Without these people we could not have realized our goal. To start with, THANK YOU to Tommy and Phyllis Broom for "planting the seed" in suggesting I talk to Jim Dickerson, President of the Downtown Business Association, about my ideas for a market; to the downtown business owners for being patient and allowing us to "invade your space", but hopefully with the markets presence we helped attract a few more visitors to your shops; to Mayor Lee and his wife Ann for your faithful support of the vendors and simply stopping by each week to say "hi"; Charles Helms for your guidance and support; Tracy Hammerle of Shear Pawfection and Craft Connection for your patience and ideas; the Dickerson family and the staff at Dickerson Ford for all of your help and patience; Hugh Moore and Jeff Baldridee for the countless Saturday mornings that you helped set up, run errands, fixed things, and so much more; Billy Robinson for building the awesome market sign frame; Stacey's for donating the planters and keeping them filled so beautifully each season; York Parks and Recreation Dept for participating in the Christmas event and for the use of the fencing for the tree lot; Boyd Tire for the use of the storage shed; Fogle's Supply; Cub Scout pack 140, their leader Scott Hart and the parents for decorating the Christmas tree (in the freezing cold); Tony's Restaurant and The Brandon House for supporting our growers and featurng local produce on your menu; Cheney Baltz for your sincere support and promoting the market from the very beginning; Shannon Greene and the staff at the Enquirer-Herald for your continued support and coverage which has been absolutely invaluable to us; to Bob and Dotty Fiorentino for volunteering your time and efforts nearly every week, to the very talented and generous Madai Rodgers for the amazing job in designing our website and keeping it updated, and last but not least, THANK YOU to the dedicated and determined vendors who made the market a reality!

When I think back to that first Saturday in April that we opened and set up with seven vendors, I remember having to remind myself that it takes a while for things to catch on and to grow, and that's exactly what we all sat back and watched happen. Each week a few more new vendors came and "tried us out", and not that we didn't have a light turn out now and then, we began to see familiar faces each week with loyal vendors and customers returning. The goal for the market was and is for it to be a thriving, community gathering place, and I truly feel we have achieved that, and the community has begun to see it's potential.

The market lot will be empty until April, except for the occasional vendor that sets up, but plans for the 2009 season are well under way, so stay tuned for Asa's eggs, Sally's honey, Colleen's soap, Randy's handy work, Drew' and Eddie Robinson's tomatoes, Seth's delightful salesmanship and crops, Barbara's artistry, local and fresh strawberries, corn and so much more. The 2009 market will feature cooking demonstrations by local chefs, live entertainment, seasonal events, a tractor show, monthly yard sales, and your ideas are welcome too. So start planning your garden, making your crafts, and make plans to join us in April.

On behalf of Jim Dickerson ( by the way, Thank You Jim for trusting me with the market), the York Downtown Business Association, the market vendors, THANK YOU for nurturing the market and helping it grow.

Signa Curry
York Downtown Farmers Market

The bluebird carries the sky on his back...