Within thirty seconds of arriving at the Waitsfield Farmers Market, Bobby is snapping his shutter in a frenzy. As he wanders deep into his world behind the lens, I look around at this place. All the vendors selling locally grown produce, handmade hula hoops, teddy bear sunflowers that actually look fuzzy, and all manner of cheese, maple syrup, and quilts! Ah, it's good to be in Vermont. Our home away from home. The pulse of the people is strong here, far away from Wall Street and Capitol Hill. Not quite as mello as Cali, but just as cool...maybe a little more productive. The sense of community is as rich as the soil. People here value the size of their tomato harvest more than their car model. Yes, old Subaru Outbacks seem to be the vehicle of choice here. Appropriate for lugging your skis, bikes, or enormous dog (which you're likely to have) as you head to the local Saturday Farmers Market. I like these people. 

What strikes me more than anything is the abundance of color. Hand-sewn quilts, made meticulously with love, line the perimeter of the grassy area. Barrels of produce: peppers, squash, tomatoes, garlic...practically pour onto the tables. Straight from the source has a whole new meaning here. The farmer is selling you the produce right off the truck...dirt still under his fingernails as he hands you your change. A young girl of fourteen is selling hula hoops with her father. She makes them out of PVC piping, water, and duct tape. Her name is Cricket and she is among many young entrepreneurs in the Valley. As I finally stop spinning, after a good ten minutes of hooping, Bobby and I spot two gentlemen waltzing into the market. They stand what seems to be 8 feet tall and move lithely through the field taking pictures, eager to soak it all up.

This pair stands out from the crowd. Even around here. It doesn't take long before an audience begins to gather....trying not to be obvious as they lurk behind these strangers. One particularly bold man scoots right in like a reporter, "So, what...are you guys part of a performance or something?" The one in black perks up immediately at the mention of a performance, before realizing the question is in reference to his attire. "Performance? No, we are carpenters, from Germany, these are our clothes," he answers in a the best accent I've heard in quite some time. I immediately think of our friend Anthony, who grew up there. He would be LOVING this! The American is not quite finished with this investigation, "How long do you study something like that? Carpentry?" The German smiles as he looks at his friend, "Two, three, four years....perhaps a lifetime." This answer is not to the satisfaction of the inquirer. He needs facts. "So, what, you're on a break or something? What are you doing over here?" The German is almost done with this conversation by now, although he seems amused. "We are journeying. Seeing the country." He starts to wander towards the rest of the market, followed by his friend and their stylish companion, channeling Yoko Ono.

Bobby and I turn and laugh at the hilarity of this encounter....just one among the many oddities and delights during our three weeks here this summer. Vermont never seems to be at a shortage for interesting people. More than any other place I've ever been it seems to have a lot of people who care. Who have a craft. A farm. A store. A hotel. A business or trade to uphold. People working hard to put food on their table and keep happiness in their souls. It shows.

~ Kolleen Kintz

Check it out for yourself: http://www.waitsfieldfarmersmarket.com/