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April 11, 2020 M@D Newsletter - HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!
Food for the Heart, the Soul and the Tummy
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes
EASTER INSPIRATION
Editors Note – This will not be a typical Easter for any of us! But it will be one we won’t forget. Rather than concentrate on staying safe, protocols, masks etc, etc, etc, we’ve collected a hodgepodge of things to keep it a bit lighter and hopefully encourage / inspire you as well. Many thanks to our growers who contributed.
Apologies to those of you who saw this on Facebook first
The first Easter didn’t happen in a church.
It happened outside of an empty tomb while all of the disciples were sequestered in a home, grief stricken and wondering what was going on.
So we’re all going to be keeping things pretty Biblical this Easter.
From One of our Farmers. Edited for privacy.
This Sunday, we are meeting for church in our home in *, where the meeting restrictions are not as strict as Alabama. We live out of town where there is plenty of (space and) open air for everyone and where we won’t raise eyebrows.
Our very close friends are coming (the ones that are actually more like family), as well as some acquaintances that don’t have a place to go for Resurrection Day. We are planning a regular service with singing, and one of the men is teaching a study.
My family is cooking three roasts and we’re planning a big lunch.
Lastly, on a more serious note, Mrs. Laura (Laura’s Confections) shared a touching and sad Easter week experience that reminds us of the cycle of life and death that touches us all here on planet earth. If you have a soft spot for animals have your hanky ready. You may find it in the Grower Notes.
MARKET CHITCHAT
A hearty WELCOME to all our new customers! We hope you are enjoying your orders and we look forward to getting to know you better.
And THANK YOUI to everyone who came through for curb delivery on Friday. This week seems to have gone the smoothest of all and we appreciate everyone’s kind patience.
One bit of information that should help everyone who picks up in Dothan – the driveway into Dothan Nurseries goes all around the property and comes out on the other side of the parking lot. So whether you come in the north or the south gate, you don’t need to turn around to exit or to get your order. Be sure you pull in close to the Market Shed no matter which direction you come from and that you leave others enough space to move in and out as needed. Thanks so much!
Woo-Hoo! New & Relisted Products!!
- Beets from Danny’s Greens
- Spring Carrots from Danny’s Greens
- Bronchial Support Gummies from Mayim Farm
- Red Muscadine Vinegar from Casa Perdido
- Herbal Smoking Blend Mayim Farm
- Sinus Sniffle Tea from Mayim Farm
- Bronchial Support Tea from Mayim Farm
- Einkorn Wheat: Berries and Ground
We are publishing this every week for the benefit of our new customers. If you know the drill feel free to skip this segment:
I. Order Payment:
1. Voluntarily prepay by 6 pm Thursday if possible using this PAYPAL link. This eliminates passing paper currency back and forth or handling of debit/credit cards on site. Your invoice will be marked PAID and pickup is fast and easy. Please do this no later than Thursday than 6pm for accounting purposes.
2. You may use PAYPAL curbside on Friday. Not quite as efficient as we have to verify receipt but it does work.
3. Debit/Credit – yes, we still take cards using our regular system. We just have to get within 6 feet for you to put your card in the chip reader. We do our best to avoid touching your card or you touching the equipment which means we sign an “x” for your signature.
4. Cash and Checks – please put them in a plastic baggie or bank bag. If you want to put them in your trunk/tailgate that would eliminate the need to come near the drivers window
II. Curb Service. It’s OK to pull up next to the building. In fact we recommend it as tractor trailers sometimes need to share that space. Have your trunk/ hatchback open and we’ll load you up!
GROWER NOTES
AVALON FARM:
Recycle Egg Cartons, Please
With all of us being extra concerned about germs and viruses, there has been a significant decline in egg cartons being returned for reuse. Because of this shortage, I actually had to buy egg cartons this week. To cover this cost I had to raise my egg prices. (Sorry!) A safe and simple solution to the cartoon shortage would be to put your old egg cartons in a plastic bag and put them in your trunk. Then when we put your market order in, we can take the cartons out.
By letting them sit till the next week, any virus will have naturally died on the surface of the cartons. Cartons do not need to be washed, but free of egg remains makes our lives easier.
This week, with dear hubbies help, I got the tomatoes trellised. This is necessary to keep them off the ground and help prevent disease. With the wind storm we’re forecast for Sunday night I also pruned off all the lower leaves. Those big leaves really catch the wind and could break the stems, even though supported by the trellis.
This next week will be time for the 2nd planting of squash and cukes. I’ll also be adding a few surprises I’ll tell you about next week.
LAURA’S CONFECTIONS I have a great deal of planting to accomplish now that I have trees, bushes, and flowers needing a home in the soil. One of the feral cats I feed recently had a litter of kittens. Three days ago I came out onto my front porch and found one of her kittens she had left. It was very young and I felt there must be something wrong but having no experience with very young animals I could not say what. I scooped it up and brought it into the house then went for a powdered milk supplement and bottles to feed it. I tried to reach the Wiregrass Humane Society but, as with almost all businesses, they were closed. It was a charcoal colored, long hair kitten and so very sweet When I held it, it found it’s way up my chest to tuck itself under my chin. It’s behavior certainly warmed my heart and I hoped I could save it. but the only way I could feed it was to force open its mouth and squeeze in a few drops of the milk. I knew it was only a matter of time. For two nights it slept with me curled around its body but it finally perished and I wish I knew why I couldn’t save it. I wrapped it in an old cotton shirt and placed it in a small, sturdy corrugated box. I will bury it deep under one of the two new topiary and pray to God He takes this sweet, blue-eyed angel into His hands and allows it to live among the stars in the vastness of space and time.
On a more epicurean note, I’m making brunch for my roommate and I consisting of Eggs Benedict, bacon, and fresh blueberry pancakes with a warm blueberry compote along with Mamosas.
I extend my warmest wishes to everyone at Market at Dothan for a Happy Easter with family and friends celebrating this most glorious of Christian events."
HORTONS FARM: “Happy Birthday to Me” I’m not telling you when my birthday is, but this is the 2nd year I’ve treated myself to chicks using that as an excuse. I’ve wanted some Marans for a long time and Friday they were available at the feed store.
They are quite happy in a repurposed dog crate with plenty of heat and sustenance. I’m quite happy to have them close yet safe from curious dogs.
On a different note the concrete slab for the garden shed was poured and finished last week. We’re pretty excited to see some progress on that project.
FOOTNOTES
We would love to hear from you! If you have a favorite recipe, want to write a product review, have an idea or request for an article or information, let us know! You can reply to this newsletter or write marketatdothan@gmail.com.
Order Saturday 5pm to Tuesday 5pm weekly for Pickup the following Friday
Dothan Pickup: 10am – 12pm, Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303
Daleville Pickup: 11am – 11:30am, Parking area behind Daleville Chamber of Commerce
Enterprise Pickup: 12pm – 12:30pm, Grocery Advantage, 1032 Boll Weevil Circle, Enterprise
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
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We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!