It never rains on Fridays
in Petersham.
It never rains on Fridays
in Petersham.
Handful o' Cash Winners now include: Lynn Scott, Jerry Friedman, Susan Adamski, Diane Nassif and Marcia Flynn
 Click Below to Meet Some of the People Who Make this Market and Our Music Possible Heywood Healthcare BERUBE REAL ESTATE WATERWHEEL REALTY Petersham Grange AND OUR VENDORS Kiwi Meadows Farm Pick & Shovel Farm Rick Wilkey Produce Roger Varnot Produce/Honey Sam Sherer Wood Bowls Grange PRODUCE DONORS Nancy Carruth |
 PETERSHAM -- The trees on the Petersham town common are showing the first signs of fall color. Winter squash, root vegetables, potatoes and pumpkins are joining tomatoes and leafy greens from our vendors. There is still plenty of time to enjoy an afternoon of music and edibles fresh from local gardens and kitchens and locally made crafts at the Petersham Friday Market - Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. The market and the music continue into October. On Sept 21, the Erin Harpe
Country Blues Trio takes the bandstand to new Delta blues
heights. She is the second Boston Blues Musician of the Year
award winner to join us on the town common. Erin Harpe has been hailed as “an authentic blues chanteuse”,
earning a reputation for her raw delta blues style and “total,
selfless and compelling immersion in the music.” Erin is an
accomplished finger-picking acoustic guitarist, performing
originals as well as classic 1930’s songs by everyone from Tommy
Johnson to Memphis Minnie with her husband Jim Countryman on
Ukelele bass. She is recognized along with Bonnie Raitt, Susan
Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland, Rory Block and Ana Popovic in
2013’s “30 Women Burning Up the Blues” in
The Alternate Root Magazine. The Friday Market delivers fresh-grown produce, apples, locally grown meat and eggs from local vendors and promotes programs offered by Petersham Grange 95 and by local healthcare and social service agencies. The weekly market provides an accessible place from which groups can present information to the public. At the Petersham Friday Market, more than a dozen local farm families and crafters offer organic produce, fresh corn and other produce, locally raised meat, chicken, local eggs, local honey, baked goods, home-baked dog cookies, herbal remedies, handmade soaps and other craft items. The choices change with the seasons. The Friday Market offers its program of free music each Friday thanks to major support from Heywood Healthcare, the Wild Geese Foundation, Petersham Town Meeting voters, and support from the Petersham Cultural Council, The Country Store, Waterwheel Realty, from Earthlands and from Emily Arnold and other individual local donors. The Friday Market is open at no charge to regular and occasional vendors and to information booths staffed by social service, health care agencies and others who want to share information about their programs and services. The Friday Market is on the Petersham town common from 3
to 6 p.m. each Friday until mid October. For information,
contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail:
fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com Party of 2 at The Friday Market on August 31 Party of 2 combines the well known vocal and instrumental talents of Keri Klee and Andrew Banas. This pair of vocalists have years of performance experience and musical training. Keri and Andrew have a versatile repertoire of duets, upbeat tunes and solo selections covering an acoustic blend of songs from several decades including classic rock, oldies, modern pop, country, a little something for everyone and a few surprises along the way. A dozen or more Friday Market vendors offer produce, baked goods, live plants and cut flowers, health care items, craft items and information about events, healthcare and social services in our area.
The weekly market has become a community event presenting fresh local food from area farm families, offering a regular opportunity to sit awhile and enjoy visiting with the neighbors and featuring live music in a wide range of styles. The town common is accessible and welcoming to all.
Evan Goodrow Made the Trek From Boston on August 24
Evan Goodrow is an American singer-songwriter-guitarist. Evan has released 11 studio albums and 3 live albums of soul, funk, blues, rock, and R&B. A Boston native, Goodrow got his start playing jazz guitar and singing acoustic folk in coffee houses in the early 2000’s. Consistently an independent artist, he has a unique and diverse history that includes winning the Boston Blues Award, playing funk concerts for Marines on NATO bases in Europe and jamming with Jimmy Buffet in the Caribbean. He’s played multiple shows with B.B. King and has sung for the Yardbirds.Reggae on the Bandstand August 17 The Equalites got everyone going and toes tapping with a musical shot of Reggae and rock from the Caribbean and beyond. The Equalites are a staple in the Pioneer Valley
entertainment scene. The band has been performing in the region
for more than 25 years. In that time the band has had many different steady members, and the current incarnation has been together for going on five years with a sound that moves people to dance and more. With four-part harmonies and excellent songwriting, sizziling guitar work, deep percussion, and a deep pocket of bass n drums… this is truly ‘a great band with killer reggae groove.’ The music is at once reggae, roots music, blue beat, has jazz sensibilities, and much more. Original compositions are performed in unforgettable fashion, and the covers they play of classic reggae and soul music have the Equalites unique stamp on them that make them sound like fresh goodness. The band is led by David Boatwright, on lead vocals and guitar. Dave was a founding member of Loose Caboose and has played guitar and vocals in many other groups, he has released original music with the Equalites and is a true one of a kind musician. Some of his songs include “she makes a riddim.” “make a difference,” and “one summer night.” The 2018 Friday Market -- August 10 At the Petersham Friday Market, more than a dozen local farm families offer organic and local produce, fresh corn, tomatoes, squash. lettuce and other produce, started plants of many kinds, locally raised meat, chicken, local eggs, baked goods, local honey and many craft items. Selections and vendors can vary weekly.  On August 10, After the Rain returns to bring vocal harmonies to our bandstand. After The Rain performs acoustic and a cappella arrangements of a wide variety of music, from traditional Appalachian to classic rock and contemporary folk. The group features Ruth Critcher, Rae Griffiths, and Carol Sharick on vocals, and Devin Griffiths on guitar, omembers hail from Leeds, Amherst, and Belchertown, Massachusetts, and perform throughout the Pioneer Valley region. Enjoy the music from park benches. Register your e-mail address with the market coordinator for a chance to win “ten dollars worth of real good stuff.” Redeem the winning coupon at any vendor's stall after our weekly drawing. The Petersham Friday Market and its music program receive support from Town Meeting voters, the local Cultural Council, Heywood Healthcare, The Wild Geese Foundation, Petersham Grange 95, and from local donors. Sponsors include Emily Arnold, Berube Real Estate, Waterwheel Realty and Waterwheel Village. Donate $10 or more to receive a reusable Petersham Friday Market shopping bag. For more information about joining the market as a vendor, becoming a sponsor or about the market in general, please contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662 ) or e-mail: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com Handful o' Cash winners to date include: Susan Adamski, Jerry Friedman, Lynn Scott, Marcia Flynn and Diane Nassif. The 2018 Friday Market -- August 3
Singer Songwriter
Joel Cage takes to the Petersham bandstand on
Friday August 3. Joel Cage is an award-winning singer/songwriter
from Boston. Once a member of the rock & roll group Southside
Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Joel has been performing regionally
and nationally as a soloist for the past 20 years. He has
performed at folk and acoustic venues and festivals across the
country. At the Petersham Friday Market, more than a dozen local farm families offer organic and local produce, fresh corn, tomatoes, squash. lettuce and other produce, started plants of many kinds, locally raised meat, chicken, local eggs, baked goods, home-baked dog cookies, local honey and craft items. Selections and vendors can vary weekly. Enjoy the music from park benches and register your e-mail address with the market co-ordinator for a chance to win “ten dollars worth of real good stuff.” Redeem the winning coupon at any vendor's stall after our 5 p.m. drawing. The Petersham Friday Market and its weekly music program receive support from Town Meeting voters, the local Cultural Council, Heywood Healthcare, The Wild Geese Foundation, Petersham Grange 95, and from local donors. Sponsors include Emily Arnold, Berube Real Estate, Waterwheel Realty and Waterwheel Village. Donate $10 or more to receive a reusable Petersham Friday Market shopping bag.
For more information about joining the market as a vendor,
becoming a sponsor or about the market in general, please
contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662 ) or e-mail:
fridaymarket@petershamcommon. Each week, Friday Market performers present musical tributes to Willie Nelson, for his long career in music and for his work as founder and president of Cambridge-based Farm Aid. Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land. Farm Aid has raised more than $50 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system.For full-time farmers or backyard gardeners there is no charge to be a vendor, once or several times. If you want to improve your soils, check in with Bill Corey of NewSoil.org for vermiculture (very busy earthworms) compost. Mathilde Duffy's photo greeting cards are eye-catching. Lisa Ahlstrom's stained glass jewelry items make great presents. Jared Duval from Coolidge Hill Farm and Rick Wilkey from Orange bring lots of fresh local produce. Sarah Bjorkland from Sunset Valley Farm has local beef, chicken, pork and eggs..Elissa Miller from Walnut Kitchen Homestead has local pork, lamb, goat and eggs. We'll have bird houses. Tracey Alden is back with hand-made wellness and body products. Sap Castle from Rutland was on hand with local maple products. Dandelion Forest Permaculture Herb Farm offers herbal teas and tea accessories, fresh and dried culinary and medicinal herbs, potted herbs, herbal extracts, personal care products and other herbal products for healthy living. Garden produce when available. We grow without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The herbs in our products are from our farm or organic/wild-crafted from trusted suppliers. A donation for our "Get Fresh" re-usable shopping bags will help support 20 weeks of live music performances of all types. So remember "It Never Rains on Fridays in Petersham" and come on out!
 The Friday Market Manager Is Now ServSafe Certified Our Board of Health agrees that this certification will allow us to provide oversight to vendors who might need to produce food items in a certified kitchen for sale at the market. There are at least four kitchens in Petersham that qualify. I have spoken with two of the four who tell me that their kitchens might be available as needed for a modest rental fee. I will contact the others as well. Vendors of prepared foods must contact our Board of Health directly to make sure they meet all other rules and regulations. Feel free to spread the word to anyone who might be interested in producing breads, pastries or other food items to sell at the market in 2018. They can contact Roy (978-724-6662) to work out the details as we go. The Friday Market delivers fresh-grown produce, honey and eggs from local vendors and promotes programs offered by Petersham Grange 95 and by local healthcare and social service agencies. The local Grange offers programs on bee-keeping, invasive species control and amending soils for maximum garden success throughout the year. The Grange also provides local agriculture scholarships to students.Our weekly market provides an accessible place from which such groups can deliver information to the public. At the Petersham Friday Market, more than a dozen local farm families and crafters offer organic produce, fresh corn and other produce, locally raised meat, chicken, local eggs, local honey, baked goods, home-baked dog cookies, herbal remedies, handmade soaps and other craft items. The menu of choices changes with the seasons. The Friday Market offers its program of free music each Friday thanks to major support from Heywood Healthcare, the Wild Geese Foundation, Petersham Town Meeting voters, the Petersham Cultural Council, The Country Store, Waterwheel Realty, Buell Plowing, the Memorial Library, Petersham Grange, from Earthlands and from individual local donors. The Friday Market is on the Petersham town common from 3 to 6 p.m. each Friday until mid October. For information, contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com   LOOKING AHEAD The Hip Swayers Return to the Petersham Friday Market Sept. 7  After the Rain August 10
Josh Levangie and the Pistoleros Bring Outlaw Rock on July 27  The Friday Market on the Petersham Common at 3 p.m. July 27 with the signature sounds of Josh Levangie and the Pistoleros -- Pioneer Valley outlaw rockers who evoke Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard songs.
 Each weekly musical performance will feature at least one Willie Nelson song, a tip of our hat and our tribute to Willie Nelson for his years of work with Cambridge-based FarmAid.org to support small farms and farmers nationwide. “We started out to save the family farmer. Now it looks like the family farmer is going to save us.” — Willie Nelson  The Petersham Friday Market receives welcome support from Heywood Healthcare, The Wild Geese Foundation in Waltham, from voters at the 2017 Petersham Town Meeting, the Petersham Cultural Council, Petersham Grange 95, The Country Store, Waterwheel Realty, and from local donors like you. All proceeds go directly to pay the musicians who perform at our market. The Petersham Friday Market opened for the seasons on June 8, 2018 with vendors offering fresh local produce, local eggs, garden plants and flowers, baked goods, hand-crafted soaps and more. During the summer, we present music on the bandstand ranging from acoustic folk to Zydeco. Social service and health care organizations are welcome to join us as well. Athol Hospital is scheduled to offer blood pressure screening. The music schedule features a wide range of musical styles. In 2017, they ranged from the Barrett Anderson Band, the Reprobate Blues Band, The Hip Swayers, The Equalites, Chuck and Mud, the Green Sisters, Josh Levangie and the Pistoleros, The Waters Edge and more. Market vendors vary each week and include The Little Chicken Factory (mobile coops), Bob Hayward's Local Garlic, Pick and Shovel Farm (plants and produce), Coolidge Farm Walnut Kitchen Homestead (produce, meat and other items), Rick Wilkey from Orange (fresh Valley produce). Sunset Valley Farm, preserves and syrups from New Salem Orchards, plants and herbs from Hartman's Herb Farm, Tracey's Traditionals (herbal remedies) and more. The Friday Market is on the Petersham common from 3 to 6 p.m. on Fridays and does not charge vendor fees. For information, contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com  It is easy to support Music at the Friday Market. With your PayPal Account you can e-mail a contribution in any amount to: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com Your donation will be confirmed by PayPal and will will come from Roy Nilson. You can also send a contribution to The Friday Market at P.O. Box 854 in Petersham. All proceeds go to the musicians who play at the Friday Market each week. NOTE: If you would prefer to make a tax deductible contribution, we can tell you how to do that - it's easy. Send us an E-mail. We will get right back to you.
|
She comes highly recommended by Pete, our UPS driver who just
retired this month.
