Farmers Market

Francis Myles, a Harwood farmer, once packed up his produce and drove to Washington on Saturdays, offering his vegetables and flowers to the folks at RFK Stadium and Capitol Hill.There simply wasn't enough space for his produce stand in Anne Arundel County. But no more. On Saturday, the county unveiled a new pavilion near Annapolis, doubling the size of the farmers' market from 22 to 44 stalls."I am very delighted," Mr. Myles said. "I am doing pretty good. I'm looking forward to this being a big market."

Dorothy Bass picked out a half dozen ears of corn, tugging back the green husks to be certain the kernels were fresh and free of bugs. With equal care, Bass, 91, selected cucumbers, peaches and nectarines, and then paid a vendor at the Pikesville Farmers' Market with cash -- and a check issued by the state. Bass is one of hundreds of county seniors who is taking advantage of a program that helps people with limited incomes obtain fresh, local produce. "We are supplying food to the nutritionally at-risk senior population and also promoting farmers -- everybody's happy," said Joan Schulz, who administers the farmers' market nutrition program for the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Lancaster is the heart of Pennsylvania's "Dutch Country," but to see how Amish and Mennonite farmers really live, skip the tourist attractions of the Lancaster County seat and head north to Ephrata. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every Friday, Ephrata's Green Dragon Farmers Market offers produce, baked goods, fresh meats and much, much more. In addition to the weekly market, the town of Ephrata is home to some unique attractions. Regular visitors usually hit Green Dragon first and then head elsewhere in the afternoon.

Westminster's popular Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market will close its doors by the end of next month to prepare to move into a vacant grocery store in northern Baltimore County this summer, its manager said. The new farmers' market will be in the old Metro Food Market space at Ashland Marketplace in Cockeysville, said Nancy Boltz, the market's advertising and public relations director. The farmers' market, open Thursday through Saturday, plans its last day at its present site May 29, she said.

Westminster's popular Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market will close its doors by the end of next month to prepare to move into a vacant grocery store in northern Baltimore County this summer, its manager says. The new farmers' market will be in the old Metro Food Market space at Ashland Marketplace in Cockeysville, said Nancy Boltz, the market's advertising and public relations director. The farmers' market, open Thursday through Saturday, plans its last day at its present site May 29, she said.

Westminster's popular Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market will close its doors by the end of next month to prepare to move into a vacant grocery store in northern Baltimore County this summer, its manager said. The new farmers' market will be in the old Metro Food Market space at Ashland Marketplace in Cockeysville, said Nancy Boltz, the market's advertising and public relations director. The farmers' market, open Thursday through Saturday, plans its last day at its present site May 29, she said.

The smell of strawberries was strong on Allegheny Avenue yesterday. Farther down the block, past the fresh bread, summer squash and cut flowers, a grill was fired up in preparation for the lunch crowd. However, at the opening day of the Towson Farmers' Market, not all of the treats were for people. Lisa Lindsey-Davis stood behind her table, selling all-natural dog biscuits in vegetable and peanut butter-oatmeal flavors. "Its something good for the pups out there," she said. Lindsey-Davis' stand was among the new sights at the Farmers' Market, which started its 28th season yesterday in the Baltimore County seat.

The underside of a freeway ramp doesn't seem the most likely spot for a colorful profusion of flowers, fruits, vegetables and crafts, but the Baltimore Farmers' Market flourishes there every Sunday morning from June until December.Steamy or sleety, the day begins early. Vendors arrive at Saratoga and Holliday streets under the Jones Falls Expressway as early as 4:30 a.m. or 5 a.m. to set up for the 8 a.m. opening. Preparations at home begin even earlier."We start picking on Friday and pick all day Saturday," says Richard Seletzky, who, with his son Ian, sells vegetables and flowers.

Ellicott City won't get a farmers market this summer, but the prognosis looks good for 1999.The county had planned to open a market there in July after the Dobbin Center farmers market -- a merger of last year's Dobbin and Oakland Mills markets -- debuted last month.But officials decided it was too late in the season to make a go of it in Ellicott City, according to Philip Gottwals, an agricultural marketing specialist for the Howard County Economic Development Authority."We only got two firm commitments from farmers," Gottwals said.

FRESH PRODUCE is one of the glorious benefits of summer and can be found at Sykesville Farmers' Market, which began operating two weeks ago.The market is held in the parking lot of Baldwin's Station Restaurant in downtown Sykesville, off Route 32. Fresh strawberries, peas, perennial flowers and seeds, honey, and other early spring crops can be found at the market. Garden statuary and decorative stone products also are available.Seven local vendors offer produce and products, and the number is expected to grow as more farmers and growers bring fresh-picked crops to the market.

Chestertown Historic House Tour Where: : Tour begins in Fountain Park, corner of High and Cross streets, in Chestertown When: : 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday What: : Chestertown, named one of the National Trust's 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, hosts the 39th annual heritage house tour, when this 18th-century Colonial river port opens its doors to visitors. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour, dropping in on 13 homes, including Colonial merchants' mansions, restored craftsmen's cottages, and graceful Victorians.

Farmers' markets * The Riva Road Farmers' Market is open 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Dec. 19 at the corner of Riva Road and Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis. It also is open from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesdays until Oct. 27. Events include a Harvest Festival in October and a Holiday/Christmas Festival in early December. Information: 410-349-0317. * The indoor Westfield Annapolis Farmers' Market is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 25 on the first level of the Nordstrom parking garage at the mall.

Breakfast meeting John Belcher, chairman and CEO of ARINC, will be the featured speaker at the BWI Business Partnership's Signature Breakfast being held at 7:45 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Holiday Inn Baltimore-BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge Landing Road in Linthicum. Members can attend at no cost or $30, depending on membership level; cost for non-members is $50. Call 410-859-1000 for more information. Farmers' markets * The Riva Road Farmers' Market is open 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Dec. 19 at the corner of Riva Road and Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.

Appraisers' courses The American Society of Appraisers will offer courses at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West St., Thursday through Sept. 13. Course topics include business valuation, business valuation case study, and machinery and technical specialties valuation. Call 410-263-7777 for reservations. For more information, call 800-272-8258 or go to appraisers.org. Farmers' markets * The Riva Road Farmers' Market is open 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Dec. 19 at the corner of Riva Road and Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.

Title company opens Church Circle Title & Escrow has opened at 23 West St. in Annapolis, offering residential and commercial real estate settlements, along with contract and deed preparation. Information: 410-269-6488. Appraisers' courses The American Society of Appraisers will offer courses at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West St., Sept. 10-13. Course topics include business valuation, business valuation case study, and machinery and technical specialties valuation. Call 410-263-7777 for reservations.

Appraisers' courses The American Society of Appraisers will offer courses at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West St., Sept. 10-13. Course topics include business valuation, business valuation case study, and machinery and technical specialties valuation. Call 410-263-7777 for reservations. For more information, call 800-272-8258 or go to appraisers.org. Fort Meade golf The courses at Fort Meade are open. Veterans are eligible to play with a copy of their DD214, which they have to bring only once to be able to play all season.

Dinner party for businesses What's Up Annapolis will hold its Best of 2009 Party on Tuesday at Loews Annapolis Hotel. The winners of the best restaurants and best businesses survey, as chosen by readers, will celebrate by sharing samples of their best creations with guests. The evening will feature the winners' best creations, live music, a silent auction and an Outrageous Hat Contest with a first-place $500 cash prize. For time and more information, call 410-267-9390. Fort Meade Golf Course The courses at Fort Meade are open.

It feels like I am the only one not planting a vegetable garden this season. The first lady is. The mayor of Baltimore is. My friend Ron has expanded his vegetable garden, and my friend Jane, whose idea of gardening is walking all 18 holes on a golf course, is lending her yard to someone else so she can plant a vegetable garden. I scattered some lettuce seeds in a pot on the deck. And I will attempt again this year to grow a tomato plant that does not die prematurely from blight. But my idea of vegetable gardening is a regular Saturday morning trip to the farmers' market.

activities events 32nd Street Farmers' Market: Open year-round, 7 a.m.-noon Saturdays at 32nd Street in Waverly. Shoppers will find fresh produce, plants, breads, ethnic foods and more. Go to 32ndstreetmarket.org. Baltimore Farmers' Market: Open Sundays from 8 a.m. until sellout, usually noon, through Dec. 21. At Saratoga Street between Holliday and Gay streets, under the Jones Falls Expressway. Go to promotionandarts.com. Car cruise: The Centre at Glen Burnie, at Ritchie Highway and Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, hosts weekly Street Survivors of Maryland Classic and Custom Car Cruise shows 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 31. Free for spectators.

The Baltimore Farmers' Market, open under the Jones Falls Expressway on Sundays from May to December, offers deals on fruits, vegetables and other goods. This time of year, the springtime bounty brightens up the market, where guests can feast their eyes and other senses on the produce from area farmers.