The Weblog
The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:
Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!
Being Kind and Showing The Love
Strangers stopping strangers just to shake their hand,
Everybody’s playing in the heart of gold band, heart of gold band…(Scarlet Begonias, Grateful Dead)
The title of this weblog has to do with the kindness of strangers. The banding together of the community spirit. The communal brotherhood that emerges when you need it.
I just got back from my weekend away at a music festival. Whenever I slip behind the gates of a music festival, set up camp, and greet my yearly friends, I feel an almost immediate friendly connection. A weekend away, amazing Grateful Dead music, a beautiful farm surrounding the grounds, and strangers who become friends, all weekend long.
Once the festival is over, and everything is packed up, you hug your friends that you will not see until next year, you shout goodbyes to your weekend neighbors that you shared laughs, coffee, wine, food with.
As you begin the drive back out of the gates, down the winding drive of the beautiful farm called, Maggie’s Farm, you take one last look back, smile, and also become a bit sad to see the empty stages, all of the tents coming down, and knowing that at the end of the lane, reality waits to take you back to the everyday.
I always feel so lucky to be a part of such a kind, loving rich fabric of friendship.
Just like at this market…strangers meeting, customers and vendors becoming friendly, trust and bonds are built.
It makes me happy to also see this kind, loving rich fabric of friendship and respect so strong even in our everyday, through our market.
As we start the week, as we start the summer, as we place our orders, today and tomorrow, let the theme of being kind and showing some love lead your way…
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
Land Of The Free
…Because Of The Brave…
Remembering those who gave the supreme sacrifice…
Today, during all of your fun and merriment, make sure to take a bit of time to reflect on Memorial Day…
I hope that you all have had an enjoyable weekend…will be back with my Monday weblog, later…
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
Holiday Road
I found out long ago
It’s a long way down the holiday road…
(Lindsey Buckingham – Holiday Road)
Well, the holiday weekend is just about here!! We are on the countdown to good times, good weather, and good friends!!
I hope that everyone has amazing plans for the holiday!! I hit the Holiday Road, tomorrow, to a fun and rockin’ music festival!! Nothing but sunshine, non-stop tunes and bands, and a ton of my friends!! Let the good times roll!
Enjoy whatever your plans may be and if you think about it…give us a little order while you are soaking up the sun!!
For all who order, I will be drawing a customer name and that customer will win the soundtrack that has started to weave itself through the theme of my Weblogs, each time!! What a fun way to start your summer playlist!! A cd full of the tunes and lyrics that I use!! But, you need to order to be entered into the drawing!!! The winner will be announced next Wednesday!!
Also…just a note to introduce our new vendor!! She is a gluten-free baker with an all natural skin-care line that she makes!!! Live Simply, Live Richly…check her out!
The market is now open…get your orders in before the weekend of fun begins!!
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
Ladies and Gentlemen..
Once again, we thank you for ordering local, giving us a chance to bring you the local goodness, and for always supporting our market!!
If you ordered, we thank you from the bottom of our heart! If you didn’t get to order, we will see you, next time!!
Have a lovely week and we will see you on Thursday!
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
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Last Call!
It’s 7:45 on a Tuesday…that can only mean it’s the local last call!!
If you still want to order, please proceed to the market, and then to the check out!! We don’t want anyone to miss out on their local goodness!
You now have 15 minutes…make it work!
500 Miles
If you miss the train I’m on, you will know that I am gone…
(Peter, Paul & Mary – 500 Miles)
I have been obsessed with this song, for awhile, and am singing it, now, as I post…as I was humming it’s tune, it seemed appropriate for this reminder…
What we don’t want, for you, is to miss the last day of getting your market order in. You don’t want to remember, after 8pm, only to have us gone for another week!!
Take just a few minutes, figure out what we can do for you, what order needs we can fill, and go ahead and get them in! The train won’t leave without you until, tonight….we don’t want to leave you behind…
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam