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Health & Fitness

My Last Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch Post!

With sadness and gratitude, this is the last time I post on Patch about the Clayton Farmer's Market, due to AOL's discontinuation of the site.

As a new farmer's market manager in 2011, I went to a Clayton Chamber of Commerce spring meeting for small local businesses.  I was fortunate to meet Nate Birt, the new editor of the also new Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch.

He was looking for ways to become involved in the community that was to become his "local beat" and I was looking for ways to do the same in order to promote the Clayton Farmer's Market.

It was a good connection for both of us. A  Farmer's Market is full of local people and businesses and Patch is a forum for communication about the lives and activities of it's designated neighborhood.  And both are charged with gathering the people of our communities together for the benefit--or should I say profitability of all.

It was a pleasure to work with Nate and then after he moved, Maggie Rotermund who took over the role of editor of the Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch. Both of them and the others on staff are dedicated journalists who do--and did a great job and who I wish well in their future work.

I say future, because sadly, AOL is discontinuing Patch sites that they deem unprofitable. It's at a time like this that I wish very large businesses measured success in terms of something other than the bottom line.

Wouldn't it be something if their successes were also measured by the smiles of children eating their very first peaches or the anticipation felt by early morning market-goers lining up for their fresh local veggies. 

How about measuring success by the beautiful displays of produce arranged on market tables like carefully painted canvases--week after week or the hard, dedicated work and time that went into growing them?  One week the sunflowers were so fresh that bees buzzed around them in a market stall.  Isn't that success?

Very talented musicians perform for us every week--brightening the beginning of our day while community organizations like the Mid-County YMCA and Library and The St. Louis Artists Guild, bring joy to children with their Market activities.  Aren't these signs that our community is profitable?

Add some of St Louis' best Chefs donating their time and resources to connect with both market-goers and farmers, bringing the two together through the
creative dishes they prepare and sample.  Many people have been inspired to use fresh fruits & veggies and eat healthier because of our Chefs. I call this a big success!

And so did the local editors and writers of the Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch, who saw that the Clayton Farmer's Market's success was also their own. Thanks everyone for your dedication and work--and for being a part of our community!

CLAYTON FARMER'S MARKET EVENTS CALENDAR:

October 12, 2013
Special Event:  Zucchini Car Races
Kid’s Make Zucchini Cars and Race them on the Track 9-11:00am
Market Music: Rocky and the Wranglers
Centrue Bank Culinary Tent:  Vito Racanelli of Mad Tomato

October 19, 2013       Special Event:  Market Dance Performance

Karlovsky & Company Dance 9:30am Live Outdoor Dance                        Market Music  : Adonis Blue Jazz                                                               Fifth Third Bank Children’s Activity: Face Painting

Find out what's happening in Clayton-Richmond Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

October 26, 2013 Special Event:  Halloween

Trick or Treating for Kids Pumpkin Decorating w/ St. Louis Artists Guild          Market Music: The Buckhannon Brothers                             

Find out what's happening in Clayton-Richmond Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Centrue Bank Culinary Tent:  Chefs from Bixby’s

November 2, 2013       AUTUMN FESTIVAL

SPECIAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE  9:30am to 12:30pm

MISSISSIPPI FEVER     Brent Barker- guitar/lead vocals, Ted May- bass guitar/backup vocals, Tom May- drums

Welcomed by Our Friends at KDHX Radio

Celebrate the Changing of the Seasons  & the Last Outdoor Market of the Year!

8:30am Call to the Market on Bagpipes by Chris Apps

9:00am O'Faoláin Academy of Irish Dance

Face Painting for Kids by Fantasy Airbrush Art

Visit with Friends Around the Market Fire

NDOOR MARKET AND BAZAAR  at The Center of Clayton

Mark Your Calendar for These 2013 Dates:Nov 16, Dec 7 and Dec 21

2014 Indoor Market Dates:

Jan 4, Feb 2, Feb 15, Mar1, Mar 15, Apr 5 and Apr 19

See you at the Market! 

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