WEEKENDER: Supporting the local economy

By WANDA WAYFARER

Supporting local commerce and people is what community is all about. We have ample opportunities to enjoy ourselves while giving back this summer.

Summer’s bounty has been helped along this year by Mother Nature and all the rain that we have had. One of our most prized local resources is the harvests that the river valley takes in every year.

One of the newest farmer’s markets to open in our area is in the flourishing town of Kauneonga Lake (www.town.bethel.ny.us/farmers_market.htm).

Their version of the farmer’s market is something special, and worth the trip through the summer crowds.

The Kauneonga Lake Farmers’ Market is an open-air market under a lovely pavilion across the street from the lake. The market is open every Friday afternoon from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. from now until August 24.

Because of heavy summer traffic in this seasonally dense area of Sullivan County, there are traffic guards assigned to the area, making it easy for you to get in and out of the market.

Once parked, you can wander among the booths to see the wide variety of produce available. Just-ripened fruits and vegetables, all indigenous to Sullivan County and surrounding areas, overflow on the vendors’ tables.

At this farmers’ market, there is an extraordinary variety of goods available for purchase in addition to garden produce, from local maple products to dairy products. The market also offers Kosher poultry and Parve products, handicrafts including carved wood, paintings and jewelry, and prepared foods.

The Kauneonga Lake Farmers’ Market also features live entertainment each week, door prizes and special weekly events. This Friday Louis Landon will perform, and the market will host diabetes testing as well.

On Saturday, after enjoying the market’s bounty, head up to Highland Lake for NACL’s performance of “The Confessions of Punch and Judy” (845/557-0694).

NACL, which stands for North American Cultural Laboratory, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The company is involved in more than just theater productions. They offer performance training, an arts center, a retreat center and much more, and during the winter hold special salon evenings.

The performance of the original program “The Confessions of Punch and Judy” will take place at 8:00 p.m. It was created by Raymond Bobgan, Tannis Kowalchuk (Judy), and Ker Wells (Punch). The story is an all-night brawl between two puppets, husband and wife, who are constantly feuding with one another. Tickets cost $15 for adults—a rare bargain for live theater, and even more so for cutting-edge theatre of this caliber. For more information, see page 7.

When Sunday rolls around, there is an opportunity for us to support the flood victims in Roscoe after the freak flash-flood disaster last month, with a benefit concert at 1:00 p.m. at The Eldred Preserve’s Steges Lake (800/557-3474). The benefit is a wonderful way to give back to your community while enjoying the beautiful outdoor scenery of Steges Lake, and acclaimed musical performances from five different artists and bands, including the Rausch Brothers, Haze, Melissa and Somerville. The benefit will also feature food and inflatable rides for the kids and a cash bar under the tent. The ticket price for adults is $20 and children’s admission costs only $10.

So come out, enjoy the day and appreciate the way a community can pull together for such a wonderful cause.

There are a great many things that you can do to support the local community. Whether you find yourself going to a benefit for Roscoe’s flood victims or supporting your local farmers and artists, the river valley is the place to be for community involvement and support.