Bees and Tomatoes: Pick Your Poison

There are those who despise the taste, smell, and texture of tomatoes... and then there are those, like me, who count down the days until that wonderful summer afternoon when tomato season arrives in full force.

I am happy to report that that day has most certainly arrived!

Stop by Hamilton Heirlooms tomorrow to try, none other but, their collection of Heirloom tomatoes. Their selection will be increasing with the season, so make sure to stop by each week for a different variety!

Hamilton Heirlooms great tshirt that Lynn Dodds and son, John Michael, created when they weren't hard at work on their tomato plants.

For those of you who aren't as interested in tomatoes, perhaps you will take an interest in where your sweet honey comes from, and the precious bee population that creates it.

Check out this publication that was put together in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service and Pollination Partnership Publication:

Bee Basics, An Introduction to Our Native Bees

Thank you Sunnyside Farm for your wonderful honey, hard work, and the sharing of Bee information! Sunnyside can be found at the Tuesday Market in Lauraville, as well as at The Charles Street Friday Market and numerous other locations around Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Also in exciting social media news Hamilton Lauraville Main Street (@HLMS) has decided to enter the world of twitter! Follow us for up to date information involving the market and other exciting events in the area!

we have weathered the storm!

we have weathered the storm and the market is still on!!!

This week at the market why don't you try a little vendor product pairing?

Our current favorite is taking bread from Hamilton Bakery and pairing it with one of Infused Spreads fabulous offerings.

Our latest combination is taking Hamilton Bakery's Ciabatta and pairing it with Infused Spreads Summer Berry. What is your favorite combination?

Hamilton Bakery loaf of bread accompanied by an Infused Spreads creation; picture by Regina Lansinger

Other exciting market updates

Fire Station 42 came by the market last week with their big red fire engine, prepared to let kids play in the truck and learn some fire safety. Come by the market this week to check out the engine and talk to your neighborhood fire fighters!

Girls exploring the firetruck; picture by Regina Lansinger

Station 42 coming out to support the community; picture by Regina Lansinger

Also, coming soon!

The Tuesday Market in Lauraville will soon be sporting our vary own fruit farmer, stay tuned for more details coming soon!

See you tomorrow!

Don't forget about our talented artisans!

While the Tuesday Market in Lauraville boosts a great variety of deliciously prepared foods and raw goodies to prepare on your own, don't forget about the collection of artisans that also put heart and soul into their products.

Here is a glance at just a few of the vendors and their beautiful creations. To check them out fully stop by the market tomorrow from 4-8pm!

Constance from Studio C, who is permanently located just a block away from the market!

Blanquitha's hand crafted bags by Blanca for all ages and occasions, among other crafts.

One of the creations of Turtle Jewelry by Leslie, stop by her booth to check out her other work.

For a different kind of creative work, stop by the Chop Shop tent for a quick and stylish haircut!

Way to go!

First of all, just incase you missed it, the Urbanite wrote a fantastic article about the market, make sure to check it out!

Today was the halfway point of American Farmland Trusts, Americas Favorite Farmers Market contest. With this came the announcement of the top 5 markets in every state and...

Tuesday Market in Lauraville is rocking in the top 5 of Maryland!

In fact, at this moment we are Number 4!

Continue to show your support for farmers markets, especially ours!

Market Happenings

And the excitement continues at the market in our fourth week of the season!

If you haven't stopped in yet, you are missing out on some very exciting Tuesday evenings.

"Color Light Theory" has been entertaining us for the past couple of weeks with their toe tapping and hula hoop swinging beats.

"Color Light Theory" can be found at the Market between 6-8pm

Last week we also had some other energetic musicians, Norm Bull and Mike Carrington, providing us with wonderful sounds that helped relax the atmosphere even more. If you too are interested in playing some music at the market stop by the Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street tent and tells us about you and your music!

Norm Bull and Mike Carrington

When you stop by the Market this week make sure to check out our brand new street mural, on Harford Road. The mural is the city's first horizontal street mural and connects the Hamilton-Lauraville corridor to its agricultural past and present. The mural was painted this past Sunday during the Lauraville Business Association Block Party and was lead by artist Whitney Frazier and other members of Hamilton Arts Collective. Thank you to everyone that was involved, you did a great job!

The completed street mural in-front of the Market space at 4500 Harford Road

Also, don't forget to be voting for your Favorite Farmers Market! The Tuesday Market in Lauraville currently has 11 votes in the American Farmland Trusts annual market contest! Way to go everyone, now lets try to get a little bit more support, I know there are more then 11 of you at the market each week!

*All photographs provided by Regina Lansinger, Thank you!*

YOUR favorite farmers market

No matter which farmers market you attend, although we hope that you are coming to ours, you come for a reason.

That reason may be to get local fruits, vegetables, eggs, or any variety of meat.

Green onions found on the first day of the Tuesday Market in Lauraville

That reason could be to grab breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any meal in-between from a valued vendor.

Hamilton Bakery providing us with fresh baked goodies, as well as refreshing lemonade, all with a smile.

That reason could be to socialize, hang out with neighbors, or to meet new people.

Hula hoops scatter the ground between hooping sessions during the market

Whatever that reason is, it is important to support your favorite markets. The American Farmland Trust is holding their annual "America's Favorite Farmers Market" contest and you can help get your favorite farmers markets noticed by voting for them online. When you support your local farmers markets you aren't just standing up for healthy produce and regional farmers, but you are also supporting and saving the agricultural land that produce your favorite fruits, vegetables, and grains and provides food for other animals. So go ahead and vote for the farmer, the market, and your support for the land!

"No Farms, No Food"

PS - Don't forget to vote for the Tuesday Market in Lauraville! Stop by the Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street tent at the market tomorrow for more information on how you can support the Tuesday Market in Lauraville!

*All photographs provided by Peter Mares, Thank you!*