Page 8 - JUNE2023

Page 8 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM June 2023 Community
Something for Everyone at the Bristol Farmers and Crafters Market This Year
By donna rhodes
On May 12th, the Bristol
Farmers and Crafts Market at Old
Mill Park on Lake St. was up and
running with a wide assortment of
goods to offer their shoppers.
Barbie Antonides is this year’s
manager of the outdoor market
and she was excited about not only
the many returning vendors but
the new comers who are bringing
both their talents and agricultural
products to the venue this year as
well.
Shoppers at Bristol Farmers and Crafters Market can find vendors such Barbie Antonides, the 2023 manager of Bristol’s outdoor market,
The market was created more
as this, which has colorful yard ornaments, plants, and all sorts of great stopped to visit with former manager Joe Ramsey as he worked on
locally-made goods for sale.
more of his hand-tied fishing flies, from which he also creates a line of
than 10 years ago to offer local
PHOTOS BY DONNA RHODES pretty earrings and hat pins for those who don’t fish.
produce to the public, but local ar-
cribbage boards, maple syrup and good,” Labrecque said.
tisans and craftsmen soon wanted
other goods. Nearby, Antonides Bristol resident Paul Sodano
to jump in to help fill the early
sweetens things up with her booth of P&S Country Crafts is also
summer gap when crops are not
every Saturday, too, filling it with back this year with his popular bat
yet available. The combination of
“Barbie’s Decadent Delights,” houses, birdhouses, handmade
the two homegrown industries has
which are packages of her home- cutting boards and other wood
attracted more and more shoppers
made giant cookies and other de- products. In addition, Sue Gazda
and each year the number of ag-
licious baked goods.
brings a large selection of pretty
ricultural vendors has increased
Art, photography, restored totes and purses she sews, and
too, Antonides said. “We’ve now
wooden furniture, clothing, yard Nancy Mills once again has her
grown to the point where we’re
ornaments and much, much more handmade jewelry line available,
guaranteed to be on the New
along with some beautiful stained
also make up the Saturday river- Hampshire state web site for farm-
front marketplace. Last weekend glass sun catchers.
ers’ markets due to our increase in
saw 17 vendors filling the park but Former manager Joe Ramsey
agricultural participation.”
is back at his booth each weekend
as the summer moves along there While many farmers are still
Monique Labrecque of Hermit Brook Farm in Sanbornton is back at the
can be up to 35-40 booths on site where people can not only buy the
busy working their fields and wait-
Bristol Farmers and Crafters Market this year, offering her delicious
when fruits and vegetables ripen. fly fishing lures he hand ties, they
ing for crops to come in, some also
hickory smoked bacon, ham, chicken, and other delicious meats.
can also watch as he carefully cre-
The market is sponsored each bring potted vegetables and flow-
her third year of bringing her lo-
all natural chicken and eggs fresh
year by Bristol Lions Club and ates more. And those feathery and
ers to sell for home gardens.
cally raised meat products to the
from her farm.
is open, rain or shine, every Sat- colorful “flies” he makes are not
Monique Labrecque of Her-
“I’ve been doing this for 30
Newfound communities. Among
just for fishing these days. Ram-
urday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., mit Brook Farm in Sanbornton
the selections are her own hick-
years. A lot goes into to smok-
through Columbus Day weekend. sey also has a beautiful array of
runs a farm that has no particular
ory-smoked bacon, ham steaks,
ing my meats (which can include
Volunteers also help maintain earrings, belly rings and hatpins
growing season though and is in
turkey as well) but they’re really
made from the flies, along with his
the park and Antonides was grate- ful this year for the Duquette fam- ily and friends who donated their time to rake and clean the area in Wedding
preparation for opening day. To-Do List
Expert Lawn Care Services for Your Home or Business
The gown
“They’re vendors here too and The flowers
did a really great job, so I want to Proudly serving the greater Newfound area!
The music
say a big ‘Thank You’ to them,” The rings
she said.
The place
RENTALS
The time
Anyone interested in renting KAYAK & STAND UP
Annual Fetilizer Program
Justice of The Officiant
PADDLE BOARD
the Peace
space any Saturday throughout Aeration / Over Seeding
HOURLY • DAILY • WEEKLY
the 2023 season is asked to con- JP services may include consultation
for wedding planning, sample
tact Antonides at b.antonides54@ Soil Amendments
PRIVATE CRUISES
ceremonies with options for poems,
gmail.com or by phone at 603- FISHING • TUBING • WATERSPORTS
prayers, unity candle, and
273-1058. Rental fees are $10 per Oranamental Tree & Shrub
SUNSET & BYOB CRUISES
exchange of rings or gifts.
day, which allows the Lions Club INFORMATIVE TOURS • CALL FOR RATES
Offering packages at:
Root Feeding
to provide Business Liability In- ICE CREAM BOAT
Coppertoppe Inn & Retreat Center
surance for the operation. AVAILABLE FOR
(www.coppertoppe.com) and nearby
WEEKEND PARTIES ON NEWFOUND LAKE
“We love to take on new ven- lakeside locations. Packages may
ROUTES & STOPS UPON REQUEST
include ceremony, photographer, DJ,
dors all the time, even if there’s 978-265-0923
and reception. Off-site weddings are
a crowd of them already. The (508) 596-9791
priced by time and distance.
more the merrier,” Antonides lakelifeisthelife@gmail.com
Contact Sheila at:
facebook.com/experiencenewfound
said.
603-744-3636 or sheila@coppertoppe.com