Feelin' Groovy!

I’ve got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life, I love you, all is groovy..(Simon And Garfunkel – 59th Street Bridge Song)

So, the weekend is screeching into a Sunday evening! Was it good to you? Did you make the most of all that was local? Did you get out and enjoy a farmer’s market, an activity? The annual local, Art Affair On The Square, in historic downtown Urbana?

Just a note on that event…you all know that I was one of three chairpersons. I was so excited to have that honor bestowed on me by the outgoing chairperson. There are people that I view as mentors, icons, a matriarch. To be given such an amazing responsibility by one was both exciting and overwhelming!!! But, at show time, it all came down, was groovy, and a lovely local time was had by all!!

This event brings both local and far away artists to our downtown. We carefully select local food/drink vendors. Musical guests are given almost online auditions. Artists are all juried and carefully selected. Local sponsors are selected and greatly, greatly appreciated. We start the planning even before December. Behind the scenes is a frenzied affair. But then when you take a step back and watch the festivities, you get a tear in your eye as you see just how much local comes together with local on all fronts!

From art to food to music to landscaping…the entire downtown is a backdrop of local richness. This year, in celebrating the event’s 10th year, we brought in a celebrated local artist, Scott Kirby!! A delightful man who was a joy to meet and speak with. I ran into him, later, at local Copper Top, and he was just as pleasant and cordial and lovely.

We live in a very colorful array of local goodness. Our own little local market had a strong turnout in our food vendors of Oakview Farm Meats, and Nanette’s, and The Depot Coffeehouse. LuAnn of Everyday Wellness, and local vendor, was also a chairperson. Laura, of ELM Tree Essentials was a soap vendor, Champaign Locally Grown was one of the sponsors, along with Cosmic Charlie, of the horse drawn carriage. Dr. Dave Smith, of Freshwater Farms, was lovely to let us borrow his café tables and chairs. Local producer and landscaper, Matt Turner blew everyone away with his amazing landscape vignette and piano with a waterfall…we really ARE all things local, right out of this little local market.

And, then we have you, the customers…Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who were out in the streets supporting all of us. Thank you to those who came over to say hello and give me a hug…I was beyond exhausted but your support and love meant the world!

Local….thinking it, living it, supporting it, in all capacities…it makes us all feel…Groovy:)

So, for even more local love, it’s Sunday night. The market is ready to take your local love in the way of orders. It’s hot, is a busy week for most of you, order now so you can put the stress in our hands so you can get on with it!! Come on, you know you want to, you know you want to feel groovy…

Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam