Tuesday, June 2, 2015

The Yachats Gazette, Issue 46, June 3, 2015

Special Issue:
Yachats Farmers Market



Interview with Ellis Lampman

http://www.Sky-ViewPhotography.com


TYG: So first, one important question. Are you the first--I don’t even know what to call you, exactly!
Ellis: Market Manager.

TYG: Market Manager! Are you the first?
Ellis: Oh no, I’ve only been the Market Manager for the last three years. The Market has been going since the late 90’s, so it’s been around a little while.

TYG-Graphic Design: Who started it?
Ellis: That’s a good question. It’s kind of before my time--it might even be Peter and Lorraine Karrasik [who were] the original managers. Originally, it was by the Post Office, right between where Mila [Niemi] is, and Luna Sea.

TYG-GD: Oh, in that little grassy space?
Ellis: Yes!

TYG: No wonder they moved--it’s not nearly big enough!
TYG-GD: It’s really windy there!
Ellis: Well, there’s no place that’s not windy! [laughter] I think they moved to the ball field--at least one summer, they tried that. And that was way too windy. And then they moved to the parking lot by the Commons; you know, between the bank and the Commons. They tried that for several years.

TYG: They probably ended that practice because of inconvenience.
Ellis: Well, I guess it was a couple of close calls because of people trying to park, and not really realizing where the Market ended and the parking began. That’s when they moved to the sidewalk area of the Commons.

TYG: Which is where they are now.
Ellis: Well, no--when I took over, I asked the vendors what they thought about closing up 4th Street and setting up here. Because before, it was along the highway.

TYG: That’s risky. I can see why you made [that decision].
TYG-GD: And how has it been working?
Ellis: It’s been working great. Some vendors were unsure, but a lot of vendors said, “It sounds great, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll just move back.” Most of them wanted to give it a try. It’s been a success the last few years.

TYG-GD: So you have a booth here, and you do photography? What kind of photography do you do?
Ellis: I sell mostly aerial photography, with a drone.

TYG: Cool!
TYG-GD: Are you the guy that floats over the parade and all that?
Ellis: That’s not me! My rig’s a little too big, and I don’t fly over people.It weighs 10 pounds, so [if that fell] that would be bad. [laughter]

TYG: Wow! So what do you have pictures of?
Ellis: Oh, Cape Perpetua, lighthouses--the usual touristy spots.

TYG-GD: Do they sell well?
Ellis: Well, sometimes. [laughter] Sometimes not so much. You never know.

TYG: How has the Market been going since you’ve been in charge?
Ellis: It’s great! It’s been growing every year. Not only vendor participation, but they’re getting more customers. It’s kind of like a block party now. There’s room for dogs, people with strollers, and wheelchairs... more room for people to linger.

TYG: Plus you’ve still got this gravel area here [indicates the dirt in front of the Lion’s Club Thrift Store, and Bread and Roses].
Ellis: This area is actually the parking lot for these businesses and residents here, but it’s still a good place for people to kind of get together and talk.

TYG-GD: Are there actually a lot of farmers here?
Ellis: Well today, we’re missing two farmers [for personal reasons], but we have a good balance. We keep a 50/50 balance between food and ag[riculture] vendors, and craft vendors. Some of the farmers aren’t here yet--it’s how many we have signed up. Like Leo won’t be here till the middle of June--being on the coast, some of the produce isn’t ready yet. But that’s why it’s nice to have Veun’s Garden and Vicente Velasquez, who’s an organic farmer--he’s new. They’re from the Valley, so it’s nice to be able to have some stuff now.

TYG-GD: Do they find it a hardship to come all this way?
Ellis: Apparently not! [laughter]

TYG: By the way, when does the [Yachats Farmers Market] start?
Ellis: It’s usually Mother’s Day.

TYG-GD: Are most of the vendors from the local area?
Ellis: Yes.

TYG-GD: What’s the process for becoming a vendor?
Ellis: To become a vendor, you have to submit an application, and depending on the product and your location, you have to get approved--you have to submit photographs of what you’re selling.

TYG-GD: How much does it cost to rent a booth? Do you have to pay for everything up front?
Ellis: No, you don’t have to pay for the whole season. It’s $15 for the yearly fee, and then it’s $15 for each Sunday you attend.

TYG-GD: Really? That’s quite reasonable!
TYG: Yes, if you’re any kind of decent vendor, you’ll make at least double that!
Ellis: That’s the hope! [laughter]

TYG-GD: What kind of vendor would you like to see, then?
Ellis: Well, we’re actually full! We’re pretty much at capacity now, even though [there are some vendors who] are not here. We have over 40 signed up vendors. But yes--when we get rolling, we’ll be full.

TYG: Well, thank you so much for your time, Sir!
Ellis: Sure!

The Yachats Gazette was interested to wander around the Yachats Farmers Market and talk to many of the vendors, although not all had time to connect with us.

Interview with Andy and
Sherrie of The Mushroom People




TYG: How did you get involved with the Farmers Market?
Andy: Well, we’ve been hunting mushrooms for about 22 years. Peter [Karassik], who used to be a manager here, talked us into coming one week, and we’ve been coming ever since.

TYG: Cool! Where do you find these mushrooms?
Andy: We found these mushrooms up in the Cascades. We hunt around here for chanterelles, lobsters, cats' paws--the local mushrooms. We try to find local when we can, but we do go where they are.

TYG: How’s business going for you guys?
Andy: Today has been really slow. Yesterday we did a market in Roseburg and we did really well because it was warm. There’s not many people walking around today!

TYG: How is it for you guys to be at the Farmers Market? How are you enjoying it?
Andy: We enjoy the Farmers Market! We meet a lot of people, and we sell a lot of our product. It’s nice: we like it.
Sherrie: I have a new product line out now which seems to be working out really well.

TYG: Is that the jars?
Sherrie: It’s medicinal tea, the mushroom tea. We have Chantie Blossom, and Maitake Blossom tea. They make different types of drink. Like the chanterelle is one of the highest food sources of vitamin D.

TYG: Really? I never knew that.
Sherrie: And maitake... in Germany, they have it on their health system, their insurance, for metabolism disorder.

TYG: I bet that would help a lot around here--I mean, we just don’t get enough sun.
Andy: It’s our best-seller today!

TYG: I bet!
Sherrie: It really is! Here, would you like to try some?

TYG: No thanks. [laughter] Thank you so much for the interview!
Andy: Thanks, you guys!

Interview with Jon King
of Jon King Pottery


TYG: So, how did you get involved with the Farmers Market?
Jon: A friend of mine, who used to sell here bringing his wind-chimes and irises, was my neighbor at the Eugene Market, and he told me I should try it out! And I did.

TYG: Interesting! How are you liking the Farmers Market?
Jon: Very much! It’s a convivial, small place. I get to meet people from all over, and I sell some stuff, I have good conversations, I meet people like you...

TYG: What kind of stuff do you do? I see you do bowls, mostly.
Jon: I do all kinds of stuff! I have some platters, and bowls, vases, and trays...

TYG: Yes, I definitely recognize your handiwork from our home! At least a quarter of the dishes in our home must be made by you, judging from the style.
Jon: Me?
TYG: I’m serious. 

TYG-Editorial Assistant: How do you get these amazing color variations?
Jon: So, this is two different glazes. This one goes on first, and it’s a wax-resist design pattern. So this is where I paint on the hot wax, and then I pour or brush the second glaze on top of it. This is my newest trick.

TYG: I like the irregular shape of them!
Jon: Yeah! I’ve been so committed to the wheel for years, so it’s kind of fun to make things that are not round.

TYG: What do you use these for? Are they like strainers?
Jon: Yes, little colanders, or dairy bowls.

TYG: Well, thank you so much for your time--good luck!

Jon King can be reached via telephone at (541) 224-4156 or e-mail: jonk13@earthlink.net.


Interview with Kimi Pollett
of PBJ Fields

http://mkt.com/pbj-fields

TYG: So how did you get involved with the Farmers Market?
Kimi: Well, I actually did the Waldport Farmers’ Market last year for Christmas, and my friends suggested that I check this one out. The products that I have are based on argan oil, which is a Moroccan oil. I do lotions, and body butters, and salts. All kinds of nice, wonderful-smelling, pampering products.

TYG-EA: What is argan oil?
Kimi: Argan oil actually comes from Morocco. It is a fruit that only grows in one specific region there. You break open the fruit, and in the seed of the fruit, when they break open that seed, is a little kernel. And then they hand-press, cold-press that. So it’s very, very labor-intensive, but in the area that it [grows] it’s one of the few things that women can do for industry, since it’s a very male-dominated culture. Farming is just watching trees grow and keeping the goats out of the trees. So it’s something that they’re allowed to do, that brings them an income without the social stigma.

TYG-EA: What is argan related to or similar to?
Kimi: It is a nut-based oil, so maybe the closest thing you can compare it to would be almond oil. But it doesn’t have any cholesterol in it, so when you put it one your skin, it just soaks right in and just leaves a light sheen. That’s why it’s used in a lot of beauty products. Most people use it--they call it “Moroccan Oil”--in their hair, and it’s very popular. But it’s also very, very kind on your skin--a nice barrier without a greasy residue.

TYG: I think I might be getting some of this!
Kimi: I have a little information sheet you can take with you.

TYG: Particularly the hair products!
Kimi: I use it in place of conditioner. When my hair’s wet, after the shower, I just put a couple of drops on my hair [and I work it in].

TYG-EA: Does it smell?
Kimi: It has a bit of a nutty scent to it. I do have essential oils that you can put in it if you want to, but most people don’t.

TYG: I like the scent!
Kimi: If you’d like to try a drop on your hands... it does soak in very quickly! I use it on my skin too, because I break out really easily. And this is an anti-microbial, so it helps kill bacteria.

TYG: Oh, it’s gone already! We’ll have to come back when we’re done!
Kimi: The exact same oil, I use in place of moisturizer, I use in place of lotion, and I use in place of conditioner.

TYG-EA: How did you learn about it?
Kimi: I learned about it from when I got my hair cut one time, and a woman said, “Hey, you should try this product.” I liked it, it smelled good, I bought it. I used that for a number of years, and then I was talking to a friend about it, and she told me to look on the back of my bottle [where] they list all the ingredients. And as you know, number one on the list is what they use most of, second on the list is what they use after that, and so on. And she told me to look on the back and see where on the list argan oil was. And on my bottle, it was number four. And she said, “Well, that means you cannot possibly have more than 25 per cent argan oil. Because you have 3 ingredients that have more percentage. Go to a health food store, and go find some.” From then on I started using it on my skin, and I absolutely love it. Amazing stuff.

TYG: Well, thank you so much for your time!
Kimi: Thank you, and enjoy your day!

Interview with Ruth Zimmer 


TYG: So how did you get involved with the Farmers Market?
Ruth: I’ve been doing farmers’ markets for years, ever since I emigrated over.

TYG: Where are you from originally?
Ruth: Denmark.

TYG: Interesting! So, how are you enjoying the Farmers Market? Is it serving you well?
Ruth: Yes, very nice. Friendly people. I enjoy it. It’s a little cold out here today.

TYG: Yes, it is!
TYG-EA: It had to be colder in Denmark!

Ruth: Yes, but I think I froze to death over there, and then I moved to California, and then here.
TYG: What kind of products do you make?

Ruth: Knitted and crocheted hats and bags. Very colorful!
TYG: They’re beautiful!

Ruth: Thank you.
TYG: Thank you so much!

Interview with Devonee Trivett
of Heart Felt Handmades


TYG: So, how did you get started with the Farmers Market?
Devonee: Actually, I used to waitress at a local restaurant, and someone came in and told me that this was a great market. So I was making stuff, and noticed that this was a good market, and I know people are friendly here, so I asked about it. I sent my pictures in, and everybody’s nice, and I’m glad to be here!

TYG:  So, I recognize these as ceramics, but what are these? These are amazing!
Devonee: Those are wall pockets, and I have plants in them.

TYG: I like those! They’re cute!
Devonee: Thank you very much. So, you guys are doing your own [newspaper]?

TYG:  Yes, I’ve been doing it for four years.
Devonee: Good for you! [...]

TYG:  How has business been, so far?
Devonee: Well, I heard it was good. It’s a slow day, but you have to just stick with it, and I’m sure it’s going to get busier.

TYG:  Oh yes. This is just the very beginning of the Farmers Market season!
Devonee: I think that a lot of our business is people that are visiting, so people will be visiting on Memorial Day and in the summer--I feel good about it. There are a lot of people who have come and looked and are thinking about it. I was at the winter market in Newport, and that was lower. So if I lived through that, I can live through anything!

TYG:  Alright!
Devonee: Thank you so much, I’m glad you came in!

Interview with Ron Vil,
Trader in Opals


 TYG: So, how did you get involved with the Farmers Market?
Ron: I live here in Yachats, see it going on across the street, and just thought I could get into this! I’ve been dealing with opal for a long, long time, so it just kind of presented itself.

TYG: Beautiful!
TYG-EA: How did you get into it?
Ron: Ah, my mother got me into it--years, and years, decades ago! When she was a little girl she would dig for treasure in the back yard, and kind of grew into going to Australia and digging for treasure.

TYG-EA: Did you grow up here?
Ron: No, not in Yachats; down in Florida. Been living here for a few years.

TYG: So how did you get ahold of these?
Ron: Had to go to Australia to grab ‘em! Go underground just like in these pictures.

TYG: That means you’re lucky--you got to travel the world!
Ron: I did, up till five years ago. I retired from mining.

TYG: So where do you get [the stones] now?
Ron: I don’t! I’m just cutting all the stones in the rough that I’ve gotten over the years...

TYG-EA: Did you do mining for a living?
Ron: Yes.

TYG-EA: I’m guessing larger quantities, larger volume kind of stuff than just pretty little rocks.
Ron: Well both, actually; opals can be very valuable.

TYG: Yes! I know once I saw an opal about that size, but it was all blue. And it was going for well over $2,000!
Ron: Oh yeah, they get that big. But they’re rare! But the reason they’re so valuable is because they’re rare.

TYG: You’ve got an amazing selection. Especially that one right there--that’s quite beautiful. Beautiful fire in all of these.
Ron: That’s a Lightning Ridge, contour-polished knobby.

TYG: How’s the Farmers Market done for you? Has it been good on you?
Ron: Okay! This is my third year doing it. I cut opal and bring it here. People like seeing it in the rough--most people haven’t seen it in the rough, ever. And I mined them, and cut them, and finish them.

TYG: Well thank you so much!

The Yachats Gazette focus on the Yachats Farmers Market will continue next month in Issue 47.

Interview with Katelyn Hordichok

Katelyn Hordichok is the Interim Executive Director for the Siletz Bay Music Festival, that takes place from June 24 to July 5, 2015.  The Festival will have performances at 4 different venues: Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, Congregational Church of Lincoln City, Lincoln City Cultural Center, and Eden Hall. Their website is www.siletzbaymusic.org.



TYG: What will these concerts consist of?
Katelyn: Well, these concerts will bring in a whole talented bunch of people to the Central Oregon Coast, the area that we all call home. You have classical music, jazz, cabaret, and some theater, which is a new component this year. Our role in coordinating the festival is to provide housing to all of these musicians; we feed them lunch and dinner.

TYG: What about breakfast?
Katelyn: Some stay in a hotel, and some stay in people’s homes--but wherever they’re staying, they eat breakfast with them. So lunch and dinner, we’re in charge of coordinating.

TYG: It must be insane trying to coordinate all that!
Katelyn: I’m learning! I started with the festival at the end of February--just a couple of months ago, really. And I’m learning the whole process, although there wasn’t much of a process before, so a lot of people are teaching me things.

TYG: So you have to start from scratch!
Katelyn: Well, not from scratch. There are a lot of people in the community that really believe in the festival, and they’re the ones that are helping me get this going, and teaching and mentoring me. So I’m stepping in and doing what I can. Marketing is a big part of what I’m doing.

TYG: What does a performance consist of?
Katelyn: It might be hard to believe, but these musicians all arrive in town a few days before the festival. Some are playing in the beginning, in the concert series at the [Lincoln City] Cultural Center, and some are playing in the orchestra portion at Salishan, so some stay for the beginning part, some are here at the end, and some stay the entire time. So these people, they all get together, they practice a couple times, and then they perform together on stage. This is not like they’ve been practicing for a long time as a group.

TYG: That is amazing! Although individually, like for the individual concerts, I bet they’ve been practicing loads.
Katelyn: Well, there’s not an individual concert per se. [...] They’re all professionals, and they practice a lot at home. [...]

This year, for the first time, we are featuring Adam Jackson, who is an eleven-year old pianist--I believe he goes to a music school in New York. He is very talented, and will be playing three or four movements of Beethoven. Yaacov Bergman, Yaki, is the conductor. He’s Israeli-born and lives in New York and he conducts for the Walla Walla Symphony and the Portland Chamber Orchestra. He travels around a lot, so we contract with him to come out and conduct and orchestrate our own festival. I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time last month--he’s wonderful, his personality comes out and he’s quite something! He’s been with the festival for the last number of years, so obviously he’s a big part of our marketing and print materials--people recognize him.

I wanted you to be especially aware of the Children’s Concert on July 5 at 11:00 am at Salishan. It’s called “Carnival of the Animals,” and there’s also a piece called “The Noisy Intermission,” which is based on a story about what happens to instruments when musicians leave the room or take a break: they come to life. I don’t have a copy with me, but we have a local illustrator in Lincoln City who has done these beautiful illustrations of instruments that have faces, and their personalities are coming through. These are going to be story boards in the back of this performance. We’re all looking forward to that. And then, these illustrations are going to be put in a children’s book. And they’re hoping--I don’t know if they’ll be able to meet the deadline--they’re hoping to have the book available to kids at the performance on July 5th.

The other new thing is a Shakespeare performance--we’ve never had theater be part of the performance before. There are four actors, part of a troupe coming down from Portland, and they’re going to put on “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”--all the stories, somehow fit in in maybe an hour and a half!

TYG: How is that even possible?
Katelyn: I’ve heard that it’s really funny!

TYG: How did this festival get started?
Katelyn: In 2011, there was a similar festival called “Sound Waves.” I believe Yaki was also part of that festival. It was a coalition, a group of people that came together and pointed out that in small communities, like the ones that we live in--Yachats, Waldport, up to Lincoln City, Pacific City--in all these coastal communities, it’s very hard to have full-time musicians of this talent that live and perform on a regular basis in our communities. So Sound Waves started. The Siletz Bay Music Festival was born out of Sound Waves. [...] Our mission is to bring quality music performances and education to the Central Oregon Coast.

TYG: Well, thank you very, very much!
Katelyn: Thank you, Allen!

www.siletzbaymusic.org