THE FARMERS MARKET SERIES 12/21/24

Think of this, the Edenton Farmer’s Market is one of the only markets open throughout the winter in the area. Think of the benefit that adds to the town for farmers market enthusiasts who have no where else to go...

Whether you take advantage of Edenton’s Farmers Market for fresh produce, baked goods, honey, ice cream, cheese and other dairy products, along with fresh fish and food truck breakfasts or just stroll to it as a Saturday morning browsing destination, it is one of the town’s greatest assets.  

With this in mind, weekly we will highlight market vendors. Each has an interesting story about how they became market vendors. 

Under the volunteer management direction of Mary Wolfe the market has grown exponentially over the past three years. The variety of vendors Wolfe has organized is impressive and surpasses most markets on this side of the Outer Banks. Aside from the high standards Wolfe and the market board set ,the quality of the vendors assures the highest standards. Many of the artists and farmers that frequent the front lawn of the market  are award winning in their fields.  

Wolfe and her team are the force behind the market’s success. The vendors also lend a healthy hand in keeping the market moving forward.   

The recent holiday markets offered residents a look into the worlds of over 30 vendors. Aside from the regular farmers and food vendors, Wolfe created a holiday fair atmosphere hosting vendors from across county and state lines.  

The events also attracted visitors and locals alike as parking was plentiful, but very full. Walkers took advantage of the weather and came in groups at times shoppers and browsers mingled shoulder to shoulder as neighbors and town folk greeted each other with holiday wishes.  

“It was a terrific holiday market. I believe everyone really enjoyed all of the vendors and the wonderful holiday atmosphere,” said Wolfe.

The manager has tis suggestion for the new Year.  

“Enhance your life by visiting the Edenton Farmers Market, we’re a non-profit organization empowering local farmers, artisans, and artists to showcase their passion. Inside the market there is a full selection of items made from all over North Carolina. Discover fresh produce, artisanal foods, eggs, cheese, honey, baked goods, soaps, and other unique items every Saturday, rain or shine,” said Wolfe.

Wolfe also presides as President of the market board along with members Tom Shields, Betsy King, Cheryl Orr, Patrick Rose, Teri Locke and Darryl Stallings 

The winter market is open every Saturday throughout January to March from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Wednesday market will begin again in April.  

While brewing the smoothest cup of coffee or pulling the perfect shot of Espresso takes time and patience for skilled Barista, the time has flown by for young coffee professional Caleb Fueston.

The 17 year old Edenton entrepreneur has a passion for coffee and it shows as he meticulously serves a line of customers and regulars at the Saturday Market. Fueston was surprised at the length of time he has been at the market and the success he has experienced.  

“I am surprised 6 months have passed. Business has been great. Growing all the time. I am doing outside events also,” said the Barista.  

“I think he is amazing. His business is doing great. It’s really important for him to make a great cup of coffee. He takes pride in what he does,” said Market President Mary Wolfe.

Fueston acquired his first espresso machine a few years back. His biggest challenge was transporting his equipment – coffee machines, an attractive expresso bar, and other items needed. Not an easy task for a young entrepreneur. However, Fueston has seemed to overcome the challenge of setting up and taking down the well appointed stand in record time.

“I’ve known for some time I wanted to run a business. It only made sense that it would be in coffee,” said Fueston, adding, “The real catalyst for starting my coffee stand was simply my love for great coffee and the excitement of bringing that love to others. Seeing how much joy and energy a perfect cup of coffee can bring, I wanted to create a spot where people could grab their favorite brew with a smile”

From the looks of the steady line on any given Saturday, Fueston is on to something. His Blackpuck Coffee Company is establishing a following and a draw on Saturday mornings. Backpuck is the uptown coffee spot on Saturday mornings for Edenton residents. The young businessman’s focus is to one day own an actual location. For now, he’s happy building his farmers market crowd.  

“The Edenton Farmers Market is delighted to have Caleb Fueston, owner of  Blackpuck Coffee, delivering premium drip coffee, espresso drinks, cold brew and juice refreshers.Our Community neighbors, near and far can now enjoy a delicious piping hot coffee or refreshing cold brew as they stroll around the Market and shop local,” said Wolfe.

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It began with pencil, brush and clay. Those were the toolsTimmy Turner used as a budding artist in elementary school. However he took a turn later and found his love of fiber art growing.  

“I started picking up sewing and crocheting around sixth grade. I would make my own stuffed animals out of old socks and blankets”, explains Turner.  “I started crocheting hats and scarves for the cold Wisconsin winters and continued in college where I started knitting my own sweaters and graduated from sewing stuffed animals to making puppets”.  

When Turner said “he graduated to puppets” the artist was being  humble. Turner’s puppet are as renowned as his reputation.

“I've created puppets and costumes for Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors that I've rented out to high schools and colleges for their theater productions. I also helped build puppets for Rockefeller Productions Live Winnie The Pooh production in New York City”.

Turner considers fiber arts to encompass knitting and crocheting and  textile art to include clothing and quilt making. Turner’s soft sculpture covers  the stuffed animals and puppets.  

Currently he is focused on quilting. His finished quilts as creative as his puppetry, He didn’t begin piecing fabric together to create amazing patterns until COVID encouraged artists to explore other venues.   

Turner believes it was his parent’s fondness for blankets - each room in his home growing up contained a basket of blankets. Those warmers instilled the ‘love for comfort’  that encouraged him to turn his love of fiber into art and soft sculpture.  

The history of American fiber folk art started with quilting by enslaved women who began quilting to supplement their inadequate bedding. While quilting developed out o  necessity it grew into an allowing for creativity. Quilting also became a time to bond with other in  the community. Quilting was a creative outlet that allowed quilters to assert their identity and legacy. Quilting as an art form became popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s and has now become a recognized art form.

“Since many of the quilts, sweaters, and puppets I’ve made have been gifts for loved ones, I spend a lot of time browsing through different colors and styles of fabrics and yarns,” notedTurner, “I pull together the raw materials that feel right, and then I often "wing it."

With his busy schedule as the Store Manger of Surf, Wind and Fire and also as Edenton’s part-time events coordinator for Main Street Edenton, he rarely does commission work, but hopes to in the future.   

“I have a website timmyturner.comand I'm hoping to do more shows in local arts councils,” said Turner.  

It was a weekend that will be remembered as thousands of locals and visitors gathered in Edenton on Saturday morning to watch the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. The weather, almost balmy, provided sunny skies and just the right amount of briskness to make warm hats, scarves and blankets appropriate.  

The overflow crowd at the Edenton Coffee Shop and the Broad St. Diner along with the hundreds of folks that took advantage of the Christmas Farmer Market filled the sidewalks  in preparation of marching bands, fabulous floats and a parade of tractors that would have made John Deere proud. For those less enthused about tractors, John Deere was born in Rutland Vermont in 1804, became a Blacksmith and developed the first steel scouring plow and founded the company in 1837. Many Edenton farmers are fond of the Deere brand  apparent from the parade of big wheeled Deere on Broad St. 

It wouldn’t be a parade without floats, horses and of course, fire trucks, along with  cameras to capture the warm, joyful expressions of the crowd.