The harvest season may be drawing to a slow close, but we are still here each Wednesday through October (please note: we do close at 6pm to accommodate the growing darkness).

Stop by for everything you need for the week: from fresh-picked apples and produce, to premade pesto, pickles and condiments, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods like empanadas and flat breads, body care and jewelry, and even locally brewed beer.  

Don't forget to get on our vendors mailing lists so you can find your favorites all winter long! You can view and click on each of our vendors (in "Meet the Vendors" below) for more information and to find their websites.

This week we host Kyle Hancharick at the music tent

\We’ll be here every Wednesday from 3-6pm all month long.

Hope to see you see you at market!

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Orlando's Bakery 

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Muino Baked Goods

Jewelry Designs by Melinda

MEET THE MUSICIAN: Kyle Hancharick

MEET THE VENDORS

Throughout the market season, we have been introducing our vendors in our weekly Vendor Spotlight. This is a list of the vendors we’ve written about to date so you can learn more about them and what they have to share at market each week.

It’s time for caramel apple pie, pumpkin spice and apple cider… but what happens when you combine your favorite fall flavors with a taste of summer? The result is Clyde’s Ices & Ice Cream truck. Dig your spoon into a creamy pumpkin ice cream, a made-with-real-apples apple pie ice cream, or get a fall float made with apple cider, a scoop of vanilla, whipped cream and caramel. You’ll wish it was autumn all year round.

It’s all about the taste

Clyde’s ices are made with real fruit. Their lemon ice, by far their most popular ice flavor, is their most cherished recipe, and is always made with fresh squeezed lemons. When it comes to their ice creams, it’s no different. The apple pie ice cream has real chopped apples, and the pumpkin flavor includes pumpkin puree. They’ll even source from their neighbors, such as the super-sweet cantaloupes from Hope Cress Farm that gave their melon ice an extra kick of flavor this summer. 

Whether it’s cherry, blue raspberry, mango or melon, all of Clyde’s ices are made with real fruit and ingredients. On a hot summer day, Tim said they will easily go through twenty gallons of their biggest seller: lemon ice. Their chocolate and vanilla ices are water-based like the others, but add dairy for a unique creaminess. 

Have you ever tried black licorice ice cream? Stop by the trailer this week and give it a go. You can’t get it anywhere else (that I’ve found anyway), and owner Tim Devens said it’s a bestseller with a nostalgic taste. 

Something for everyone

Because everyone should be able to enjoy cool treats, Clyde’s has something for everyone, including dairy-free ices and an entirely nut-free truck (they do sell nut-based ice creams at the store). Tim makes sure that everything is as separate as possible to eliminate cross-contamination so more people can enjoy cool treats. They even offer sugar-free options sweetened with malitol (no aspartame!) that taste so good his diabetic customers stock up on their favorite flavors.

They have more than just cones and cups, too. The trailer sells pints and quarts to-go, and you can get half-gallons at the store in Garfield. 

Expect a rotating list of approximately 100 different flavors. They won’t carry that many on the truck, but they do have about ten different varieties of ices and ten varieties of ice cream each week including favorites like ice cream in chocolate, mint chocolate chip and black licorice, and a rotating specialty flavors (expect fall favorites this time of year). 

The longest running business in Garfield

This 100 year old business has been in Tim’s family for sixty years. He started working there under his uncle’s ownership when he was 13 years old. Although it was never his plan to continue the family business, by the time Tim was in his late teens, he knew he loved the atmosphere and the customers. He purchased the business from his uncle 38 years ago and has been running it with his wife ever since. 

The Garfield storefront is the longest running business in the town, Tim said, and is recognized by locals and visitors alike. But about two decades ago, Tim decided to expand into the realm of farmers markets. He did well, and traveling to different locations gave the business a chance to be discovered by new eyes. Even so, customers who had left the Garfield area were glad to find them at markets closer to their new homes, Tim said.

Ice on wheels

Things really began to (literally) take off about six years ago when the Clyde’s trailer was born. Now, instead of having to pack and unpack everything from the tent to the freezers, the trailer keeps everything self-contained and makes it easier to travel to farmers markets like ours here in West Milford. 

Return customers don’t just get a scoop or a cone each week, either, Tim said. They’re often returning for pints or quarts of their favorite flavors to enjoy at home. 

Customers: The heart of Clyde’s Ice & Ice Cream Co.

Tim’s favorite part of the job is the customers, and he loves talking to and collecting stories from everyone he meets. One of his favorite stories is the day he met a 95 year old customer who turned out to be the grandson of the company’s original owner, Clyde. He had come in for a bit of nostalgia and a lemon ice he said tasted just like he remembered from his childhood.

Tim is as personable as they get, and is as ready to offer a helping hand in the flavor-choosing process as he is to help other vendors at the markets he attends. 

“When you are out there with food truck business and markets, you become friends with everyone,” Tim said. “They are all friendly and we are all helping each other. It’s a good family thing out there and I really like doing it.”

Follow Clyde’s online to get updates on where they’ll be each week and what flavors are hot right now. Don’t forget to stop by every Wednesday at the Market to find him there, too.

https://www.facebook.com/clydesitalianice

Ragtime Millionaires began when John Sheehan and Gus Cannon met at an open mic. I had the pleasure to speak with the two bandmates one morning before they were to set out together fishing. There’s a beauty in friends that find each other and connect on multiple levels. When they’re not fishing, they can be found in Sheehan’s driveway playing tunes as neighbors walk by, and stop to listen or say hello. 

Ragtime Millionaires is born

The two met at Black Rock Tavern during an open mic Sheehan was hosting and they became fast friends. For most of his career, Sheehan had been finger picking and playing solo and in bands, but playing with Gus Cannon offered him the opportunity to try his hand at other instruments such as the banjo and mandolin. Gus Cannon always thought that humor had a place in music, and he really appreciates the light-hearted, up-beat vibe of a jug band. Sheehan, on the other hand, really admired how easily he went on stage to play some lesser-known tunes.

“It’s a privilege to play with John and we both educate each other musically,” Gus Cannon said. “I think we have done so over the past few years, and that’s very gratifying.”

Although Sheehan still has solo gigs at restaurants and bars, he appreciates the opportunity to share his love of roots Americana (including blues and oldtime country from the 1920s and 30s) that speaks to the early days of the first vinyl recordings in Ragtime Millionaires. 

Venues such as the Farmers Market and The Vreeland Store offer the perfect backdrop for these period pieces. Although the music isn’t truly ragtime, they coined the name for the band from an old song. The duo appreciates the irony inherent in the name, as well as the upbeat and humorous music of the time. They play everything from turn of the century tunes to acoustic versions of classic rock favorites. 

About the bandmates

Sheehan has been playing professionally for 40 years. He has produced several albums, and Gus Cannon, who plays rhythm guitar and washboard, appears with him on some of those. 

“I really enjoy the fact that I can play the banjo with Gus’ accompaniment,” Sheehan said. “We make up old-time banjo tunes that are really new songs, but in the style of old time banjo.”

Gus Cannon is actually a stage name (for those of you who don’t recognize the 1930s performer). Gus cites American jazz pianist, one of his influences, saying “never give your real name,” as part of the reason he chose a stage name. Both performers actually share the same first name, so the differentiation probably doesn’t hurt either. 

As a child, Gus Cannon listened to rock and roll. His father had a pile of old jazz records he was going to throw away, so he took and kept them and began to develop an appreciation for jazz. He was also drawn to jug bands and homemade instruments, as well as the banjo. But his real love of playing didn’t begin until he was in his 30s and 40s. 

His favorite part of playing is when someone comes up to him afterward and lets him know they had never heard a song before that they really liked.  If you hear one at the market this week, be sure to say hi and let them know!

Find Ragtime Millionaires at the market on June 14, or visit www.johnsheehan.net to discover their other shows at the Vreeland Store and around town. 

Happy fall!  The days are getting shorter, but Market is still going strong—all the way through October! This week we stay open until 7pm, so get here while you can because next week we close an hour early to accommodate the encroaching dark. But we love fall… we are in the midst of harvest season, and our booths are chock-full of autumn’s favorite flavors: from pumpkin spice, to apples, apples and more apples! Whether you’re at Hope Cress Farms (where you can buy them fresh) to Clyde’s (where you can find coveted fall ice cream flavors), you can find your apples almost any way you like them. Baked, browned, crisp, sweet… it’s that time of year, and you can bet the market won’t let you down. 

Stop by this Wednesday, and every Wednesday through October to get everything freshly harvested, as well as handmade cheeses, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, pickles and condiments, body care and jewelry, and even locally brewed beer.  

This week we host Ed Seifert & Bernie Stapleton at the music tent

This week our Kids Korner craft will be beaded corn-on-the-cob, like these cuties from onelittleproject.com

Come join us with the kiddies and make your own to take home!

See you at market!

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

The Cheese Guy

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Jessica's Treasures & Treats

Orlando's Bakery 

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Muino's Baked Goods

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT:

Jessica’s Treasures & Treats

Looking for a beautiful (and edible!) display for your next holiday or special event? Maybe you need the perfect thank-you gift, or present for someone impossible to buy for. Enter everyone’s favorite snack: charcuterie boards. Chock-full of edible treats, and beautiful to behold, charcuterie boards like those from Jessica’s Treasures and Treats are popular, edible, and completely customizable.

What is a Jessica’s Treasures & Treats Charcuterie Board?

Jessica’s charcuterie boards, boxes and cups consist of a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, condiments, pickles and sweets (like cookies and chocolate covered pretzels). She creates with the seasons, purchasing many of her items at farmers markets (like ours!) and getting fruits and berries, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and other fresh vegetables at local farmstands. Herbs like local basil may be added as garnishes. Orchids and other edible flowers are sourced from Highland Flowers and Gifts in Vernon.  Jessica also incorporates seasonal flavors whenever appropriate… like apple and pumpkin for the fall. Holiday-themed boards and gifts are a given… Keep an eye out for pictures and samples of Jessica’s Halloween boards and Char-boo-taurie cups during October markets. 

Jessica’s boards come in a variety of sizes… small, which is suitable for 2-4 people, all the way up to extra-large (suitable for 15+). She also makes mini-boxes for 1-2 people, and individually-sized cups—perfect for snacking on-the-go. They also make great favors for kids parties… especially when navigating multiple food allergies (or sticky fingers!). Both the cups and the mini boxes are available for direct purchase at the farmers market on Wednesdays, or you can stop by her booth to place an order for larger sizes. 

How the Boards Began

Jessica began making charcuterie boards during the pandemic. At the time she had been working in medical billing, and with two young children at home, she found it hard to manage the required work schedule and quarantine protocols. Jessica’s mother encouraged her to use her creativity to start working for herself. The mother-daughter team wiled away months of isolation by creating culinary masterpieces together.

When her mother passed away unexpectedly, Jessica stopped making her treats completely. It was too difficult to manage during her grief. Until a friend messaged her asking if she could make her a board. 

“So, I just did it,” Jessica said. “Then I got back into it, and then in April (2023), I made it official.”

Today, Jessica has a fully inspected commissary kitchen at her disposal. She began selling at local markets like the West Milford Farmers Market. Once the foundation was laid, she said that the business just started flourishing. 

The name “Jessica’s Treasures and Treats” was her mother’s idea. It was meant to complement the name of her husband’s business: Justin’s Junk Removal. For a time, Jessica had been restoring old furniture that her husband had recovered during clean-ups. Jessica had originally imagined combining the charcuterie board business with furniture restoration. She dreams of one day having a storefront where she can do both: using restored furniture to display her platters, or to be used as workspaces for groups interested in making (and eating!) their own charcuterie boards together. Although she is not currently restoring furniture, she couldn’t bear to part with the name coined by her late mother, and hopes to get back into furniture restoration as time allows.

“[My mother] loved [the boards] and pushed and encouraged me. She loved eating them. Everytime I made one she said it was so beautiful,” Jessica said. “I told someone the other day that I feel like she’s just guiding the whole thing, because it’s just coming together.”

Jessica’s Mother & inspiration

Get Your Custom Charcuterie Board Today!

Whether you enjoy being a part of the creative process, or want Jessica to create the perfect combination of foods and flavors for your gift or event, each board is custom-made for you. She has done vegetarian boards, teacher appreciation gifts, get-well boards, holiday platters and more.  She can accommodate almost any creative desire or dietary need… just ask!

To learn more, visit Jessica at Market on Wednesday afternoons, or contact her to get started with your own custom board of treats today!

Contact Jessica’s Treasures & Treats

https://www.instagram.com/jessicastreasurestreats/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057440679715

Jessicastreasuresandtreats@yahoo.com

(973) 296-6568

We are thrilled that Ed Seifert will be at the WMFM this year! He’s known throughout West Milford from performing at local hot spots like Coyote Ridge and the New Weis Center. His music genre is friendly for all ages, taking inspiration from Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Elvis Costello. Ed’s band, Ed Seifert and the Stimulus Package features many local artists and one familiar face, Bernie Stapleton on the bass!

Summer may be winding down, but the market is just getting hot—and the season’s bounty just won’t end! Stop by this Wednesday, and every Wednesday through October and stay stocked with plenty of fresh stuff for your pantry, as well as handmade cheeses, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, pickles and condiments, body care and jewelry, and even locally brewed beer.  

This week we host Marty Koppel at the music tent

We know that Farmers Markets are a 'green' economic accelerator for the health of our local economy and we thank you deeply for your support. Stay tuned for some exciting harvest-themed Kids Korner crafts and be sure to talk to your favorite vendors on how you can keep purchasing during the off-season! 

See you at market!

The West Milford Farmers Market is still seeking a few people interested in volunteering a few hours to greet as they come to market. This is a great opportunity for teens or adults to get service hours! Reply here, or stop by the Market tent to learn more.

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Orlando's Bakery 

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Muino's Baked Goods

Jewelry Designs by Melinda

courtesy of www.kylehancharick.com

It’s always been about the music for Kyle Hancharick, a singer/songwriter from Warwick, New York. His passionate performances are punctuated by a crisp acoustic guitar and soaring tenor vocals. This is best shown in his 2018 EP “Breathe,” a four song project consisting only of acoustic guitar, bass and vocals. And that’s all that’s needed for this artist whose roots are planted in contemporary folk music.

Kyle began his musical journey young. His earliest influences were from the songs of John Denver and Bob Dylan. When he was 8, Kyle played live for the first time. It was at a Bob Dylan Festival at a local winery. With his 3/4-size guitar slung around his small torso and a harmonica holder around his neck, he took to the stage with about 100 people gathered. No one expected what they would hear. This sweet, shy little boy blew them away with his version of “Blowin’ in the Wind.” He gave the most memorable performance of the day.

As he grew up, Kyle’s influences diversified. He discovered Richard Shindell, David Wilcox and Ellis Paul, master storytellers who would have tremendous impacts on his work. He identified with the working class anthems of Bruce Springsteen. He reveres their musicianship, their poetry, and their stories.

Throughout all of this, Kyle has begun to make a name for himself in the folk music circle. He has performed on the Emerging Artists Showcase at the 2018 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and he has opened shows for the likes of Ellis Paul, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Lucy Kaplansky, and Red Molly. His upbeat love song, “How You Say Goodbye” was covered by Ellis Paul for his 2019 album “The Storyteller’s Suitcase.”
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Most recently, Kyle has begun work on his second full-length studio album, which is set to be released in 2023.
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Kyle takes in the world, processes it and turns it into song with his own special touch. He has a unique take on things, a view of the world others may not necessarily notice. He continues to grow as an artist, sharing his story and messages of love and peace.
Above all, though, it’s still about the music.

Marty Koppel is a singer/songwriter from Northern Jersey. He started playing back in his college days, playing in  front of an audience of 1300 people. Ever since then, he has been writing and playing in the Northern Jersey and New York area. Marty's CD, “Vernon Town'' has been critically acclaimed as one of the highlight releases of 2007.

Listen to “Vernon Town” and learn more about Marty and his music at https://www.reverbnation.com/martykoppel

Throughout the market season, we have been introducing our vendors in our weekly Vendor Spotlight. This is a list of the vendors we’ve written about to date so you can learn more about them and what they have to share at market each week.

Pickle Licious

Empanada Lady

Hope Cress Farms

Orlando's Bakery

The Cheese Guy

Muino Bakery

Rosie's Market

Clyde's Ices & Ice Cream Co

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

All About Microgreens

Pesto Joe

Keep reading each week for a new spotlight and to discover more of what you can get at market through October.

Have you been surviving the heat? Although our cooler weather vegetables aren’t thriving (yet), these long hot days have brought us vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, and both summer and winter squashes, as well as berries and late summer fruit. Stop by this Wednesday, and every Wednesday through October and we promise to keep you stocked with plenty of fresh stuff for your pantry, as well as handmade cheeses, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, pickles and condiments, body care and jewelry, and even locally brewed beer.  

This week we host Dani Zanoni and Alex Kerssen (also known as “DnA”) at the music tent

See you at market!

The West Milford Farmers Market is still seeking a few people interested in volunteering a few hours to greet as they come to market. This is a great opportunity for teens or adults to get service hours! Reply here, or stop by the Market tent to learn more.

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

The Cheese Guy

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Jessica's Treasure's and Treats

Orlando's Bakery 

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Muino's Baked Goods

Dani Zanoni grew up in a home that was always alive with music, and she started singing when she was a young girl. In elementary school, this morphed into voice lessons, and later, choirs and musicals. Then, during her sophomore year of high school, she got her first guitar and began songwriting. 

“When I was younger, I would write poetry and little songs in my head, but I never could really get them down, so having that guitar was awesome,” Dani said.

She continued to foster her love and knowledge of music in college, majoring in music industry and performance. She graduated from Ramapo College in 2019 and has been playing professionally ever since. 

DnA: More than good genes

DnA is a musical collaboration between Dani and longtime friend, Alex Kerssen. They met during high school while he played guitar in school shows. At the time they clicked, and have been playing together ever since. 

Alex graduated from William Paterson as a jazz pianist in music education. Depending on the gig, he will play either piano or guitar depending on the vibe and location.

“We love going to the West Milford Farmers Market since West Milford is our hometown, it’s always great to be playing back there,” Dani said.

Musical influences

Dani said she has been inspired by Sara Bareilles from the very start. Growing up, she also loved and admired Michelle Branch and Kelly Clarkson, particularly as she was the first American Idol winner. Following her journey really inspired Dani to start her own musical career. 

When it comes to cover music, DnA has well over one hundred songs in their repertoire, spanning everything from country to rock and pop. They have a spread of classics, but also today’s current favorites. They tend to focus on music that can really highlight Alex on guitar or piano. 

One of their favorites to play is a “cover of a cover” of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’,” redone in the style of John Mayer, and then spun again to reflect DnA’s unique style.

“We have been doing that [cover] from the start, and every time we play it I am obsessed with it,” Dani said.  

Other popular covers they love to play include “Valerie,” by Amy Weinhouse, “Crazy,” by Gnarls Barkley, “Sweet Child of Mine,” and “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. 

Dani’s original music is further influenced by current favorites, Julia Michaels and Sasha Sloan. Although DnA plays predominately cover songs, they will often throw in some of Dani’s originals, too. 

Dani’s passion for music

For Dani, music has always been her escape and her therapy. She found it a support when working through her feelings or anxiety, and her originals reflect the emotional process, and are inspired by real life experiences.

“Music was always the thing that always brought me back, and always the thing that calms me down and helps me feel okay,” Dani said. “My songwriting process was always about getting all those thoughts and emotions out. I want to write music knowing that at least one person can connect with it… and it’s the same with performing… to connect and feel like they’re not alone in the things they’re going through.”

What Dani loves most about music is when someone walks up to her after a show and tells her that they really connected with her music. It means even more when the song was one of her originals. 

“There’s something about how music helps people connect,” Dani said. “You see [the audience’s] faces when they connect and are in the music with you…. There’s nothing I love more…. [than] knowing you can connect with people doing something you love so much.”

She’s taken this one step further by teaching the love of music to students with lessons at North Jersey Guitar. 

Discover more Dani

In 2017, Dani released her first album… a five song EP. This was followed by two other singles, including “Rabbit Hole,” an exploration in her genre and sound, a transformative process that helped Dani figure out who she is and where she wants to go as a musician.

“[With “Rabbit Hole,”] I got to dive into my creativity in all aspects, from the video to the promotion,” Dani said. “It set me off for where I want to place myself as an artist and keep working toward.”

Dani is in the process of releasing her second EP about living through your 20s in the 2020s, particularly regarding those internal feelings with the unrest in today’s world.

“It’s a super intimate album and I’m super excited to share that with everyone,” Dani said.

DnA will play the West Milford Farmers Market on Wednesday, September 14th from 3-6pm. Come on down and say hi, and visit her online to learn more:

Website: https://danizanoni.com

Lessons: https://www.northjerseyguitar.com/

To discover more on Dani, including links to her music, upcoming events and more, visit her linktree at: http://linktr.ee/danizanonimusic

Dani Zanoni has been performing in the West Milford area since she was a little girl. Her signature style is a blend of indie rock and pop that creates a contagious melody. She has recorded with famous producer Tony Black in NYC and released five different songs.

Happy Labor Day!

We hope that you are enjoying the holiday and the last days of summer.  This is the time of year we’ve all been waiting for. Those long hot days have brought us vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, and both summer and winter squashes, as well as berries and late summer fruit. We will keep selling all this fresh produce as it keeps producing, all the way through October, so stop by this Wednesday, and every Wednesday for the next two months to stay stocked up with fresh stuff, as well as handmade cheeses, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, pickles and condiments, body care and jewelry, and even locally brewed beer. 

Expect to see a lot of our vendors using seasonal flavors now that summer’s shown us her bounty—from empanadas to flatbreads, sweets and even seasonal ice creams from Clydes!

This week we host Marji Zintz at the music tent

See you at market!

The West Milford Farmers Market is still seeking a few people interested in volunteering a few hours to greet as they come to market. This is a great opportunity for teens or adults to get service hours! Reply here, or stop by the Market tent to learn more.

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Orlando's Bakery 

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Muino Baked Goods

Jewelry Designs by Melinda

Guitarist and vocalist Marji Zintz plays everything from The American Songbook genre to blues, pop, folk and rock. She has written some of her own originals, and is sure to throw them in among fan favorites at her shows.

She may not look it, but Marji has been playing music professionally for 45 years. Like most musicians, she’s also worked other jobs in between her music gigs, particularly teaching and coaching… although she’s grateful that for the most part she has been able to play music almost exclusively.

Influences and early experiences

Marji has been influenced by artists such as Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Tom Waits and Billy Holiday.

Her first experience with music was listening to her father sing, and singing together with him and her sister as a young child. Later, she “adopted” an unused guitar her brother had been handed down.  She discovered a Peter, Paul and Mary songbook lying around the house and was surprised how easy it was to follow along with the chord diagrams. Then, she learned to play by ear. She got her first gig at a local bar when she was 18, and never stopped to look back.

That’s not to say Marji never had a day job. At some points she worked six days a week and performed six nights a week. However, she never let anything push music down as a priority.

“The most important thing to me was that my day job would not interfere with my ability to perform.” 

A turning point

One day, about fifteen years ago, Marji decided she would quit music altogether. Things had just gotten too difficult and it wasn’t fun anymore. Fortunately, the feeling didn’t last long. The experience, however, had taught her something important…. When she picked her guitar back up again, she only booked shows she loved, and she taught herself to enjoy every aspect of the experience: from booking, to moving equipment, to breaking the set down at the end of the night.

“There had to be a way where I wouldn’t feel that resistance to [playing], because I think that interferes with happiness, and I didn’t want to not feel happy playing,” Marji said. “I implemented some systems and when I came back to it, it was a much more pleasurable experience.”

She believes that the idea that money and happiness can’t coexist is a limiting belief. She admires Alberta Hunter, an American jazz and blues singer/songwriter who raised her family and had a successful career as a nurse before starting her 25 year long music career at the age of 65.

Connecting with the audience

Her favorite part of playing live shows is the connection she gets to share with her audience. Small venues in particular, provide that opportunity to get to know the audience members and talk to them after the show. In Marji’s opinion, it’s this connection that turns the act of playing music into a true art form.

“It’s that really beautiful connection where people really get [the music] and are really touched and moved. It gives me energy and it changes everything,” Marji said. 

Having the opportunity to speak with audience members is part of this experience. Her favorite venues are house concerts, as she really appreciates getting to connect with her audience in a more intimate way. In fact, Marji’s audience often provides her with fodder for new music.

Becoming Human

In addition to her solo work, Marji belongs to the band Becoming Human. They play original songs of observation, realization and transformation in the genres of world music, jazz and folk… but with an element of improvisation. Guitarist, Jim Kunkel and bassist, Mickey Kopchak, do most of the composing, but what Marji finds most unique about the trio is that each member has a beautiful and unique voice. There is no lead vocalist, she said, but instead they all back each other. 

“The material is so unique and so personal… Jim Kunkel, he writes this from a very spiritual perspective,” Marji said.

She mentioned one of their songs entitled, “The deeper meaning of ‘I am’,” and how it delves into personal spirituality, forging more of an experience than the creation of music alone. 

Marji will be playing solo at Market this week. Feel free to introduce yourself and say hi, and keep an ear out for an original tune or two, as well!

Visit Marji’s website to learn more about her music and how to find her or hire her for your next party or event at www.marjizintz.us

We love late August… the warm days, cooler nights—summer is still in full swing, but there’s a crisp in the air that almost smells of early fall. Our favorite part of the season might just be that the Market booths are full of nature’s abundance. From seasonal flavors being used in a wide variety of our prepared foods, to fresh produce, everything you can imagine is here: tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, greens, fruit and so much more.  We also have a variety of handmade cheeses, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, pickles and condiments, and handmade products like body care and jewelry. 

This week the West Milord Department of Health will be joining us… stop by their booth and say hi!

This week we host Bob Nicholson at the music tent

See you at market!

The West Milford Farmers Market is looking for a few people interested in volunteering a few hours to greet as they come to market. This is a great opportunity for teens or adults to get service hours! Stop by the Market tent to learn more.

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

Department of Health

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Orlando's Bakery 

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Muino's Baked Goods

Jewelry Designs by Melinda

ALL ABOUT MICROGREENS

MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: Bob Nicholson

Singer and songwriter, Bob Nicholson has a passion for music… and as with all things in life, that passion is what fuels him. Although songwriting is where his heart is, he understands that covers are what opens the door to an audience. But he won’t forgo his joy of playing just to appeal to a crowd. 

“A musician has to be true to himself,” he said.

Expect to hear classic rock favorites from the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty this week when Bob plays at Market.

The why

It all began for Bob when he first saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. He called the experience “eye opening.” Seeing the King play helped him recognize that there were a lot of perks to playing music. Girls being the most obvious one.

“Sports were difficult [for me], but playing [music] sounded fun,” Bob said. “When you are a teenager, you’re attracted to the opposite sex, and being on the sports team was a way to get a date… I thought, there’s got to be a better way.”

These days, his favorite part of playing is seeing the thrill or satisfaction of his audience. Whereas the tip jar can be a good measure of that appreciation, he said seeking applause is like barking at the moon. 

“The appreciation is when they come up to you and let you know that … I inadvertently invoked a nice memory,” he added. “Play the song, hit a memory. “It’s like high school reunions but better.”

His influences

Growing up, Bob was surrounded by neighbors several years older than him, and as a result he was exposed to the great bands of the 50s. He said this music still has an influence on him today.

When asked what songs he likes to play he said, “All of them.”  However, he did mention a few favorites, such as, “We Can Work it Out,” by The Beatles, “My Back Pages,” by Bob Dylan and “Mandolin Wind,” by Rod Stewart… which he enjoys playing even if he doesn’t play mandolin.

“You need to be happy because you get to a certain age and you have a limited number of years. And I want to be happy and live the rest of my life being happy,” Bob said. “Music makes me happy. It’s better than any drug there is out there. The high you get from performing on stage, no drug can do that. I get stage fright. But once that first note rings, I’m fine.”

The venue

Bob enjoys playing at restaurants and wineries over bars and nightclubs…. He prefers the hours and the intimacy of the crowds. He appreciates that the volume, as with the farmers market, is kept at a level that allows people to continue their conversations, letting the music become more background noise rather than the main event. He’ll often play senior centers, as well, bringing back memories of the music the residents loved in their youth. 

Because Bob finds that having a band is similar to juggling several marriages at once (lots of personalities to coordinate), he is most likely to be found playing solo gigs, like he will be at Market this week. He will on occasion play duo with a female vocalist 

“Whatever the job calls for, I do,” Bob said. “If I can do it solo, I will. If they need a trio, I can call on people to do it.”  The important thing is that he gets to play. 

Beyond the guitar

In addition to his career as a professional musician, Bob volunteers in his spare time. He enjoys giving back to youth, and he mentors high school and college students in TV and film through a program on a local West Milford cable station, as well as giving yearly workshops through Passaic county. 

Although Bob admits he hasn’t enjoyed wild success in his music career, the wins and successes he has experienced is part of what makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s what I do and what I enjoy to do,” he said. “Some people have hobbies, bowling darts or organizations and that’s what works for them, and this works for me. “It’s more than a hobby. It’s a passion. We [smaller musicians] do the same things as the big guys do, we’re just not recognized. Same work, same effort, same model but on a smaller, more local scale.”

In addition to catching Bob at the Farmers Market, he plays at The Vreeland Store once every month or so on Thursday nights. Visit him on Facebook to catch his upcoming shows.

As the days slowly grow shorter again, we’re gearing up for an influx of produce. From mid- to late-summer favorites like peppers, tomatoes and corn, and even the start of some early winter squashes, our booths are full of the abundance of the season. Look for seasonal flavors in our prepared foods too, from empanadas to ice cream… and even soap… everyone is taking advantage of the season’s bounty.  We also have a wide variety of handmade cheeses, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, pickles and condiments, and handmade products like body care, jewelry and more. 

This week we host Marji Zintz at the music tent

See you at market!

The West Milford Farmers Market is looking for a few people interested in volunteering a few hours to greet as they come to market. This is a great opportunity for teens or adults to get service hours! Stop by the Market tent to learn more.

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

The Cheese Guy

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Orlando's Bakery 

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Muino's Baked Goods

ALL ABOUT MICROGREENS

Have you ever wondered what’s up with those little green sprouts at market? They’re microgreens and they’re not only tasty, but they’re exceptionally good for you! Learn more about microgreens and how to use them in this week’s spotlight.

Meet the musician: Marji Zintz

Have you ever wondered what’s up with those little green sprouts at market? They’re microgreens and they’re not only tasty, but they’re exceptionally good for you! 

Microgreens are the first fully developed leaves to sprout from a seed. They are grown in containers, with little light and no fertilizer, and are a low calorie, nutrient-dense food. These young plants have almost twice the vitamins, enzymes and minerals as their fully formed counterparts. You can find them in almost any “flavor” from broccoli, to beet, to my personal favorite, sunflower (renown for its lightly nutty flavor).

Nestle your microgreens between damp paper towels, and store in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator, and they should keep for up to a week.

Our favorite ways to eat microgreens:

1. On any pizza (but especially margherita pizza!)

2. Instead of lettuce on a burger, sandwich or grilled cheese!

3. As a pesto, or in guacamole

4. On pasta aioli 

5. In a salad or smoothie

6. In ramen noodles or soup

7. In an omelet

Stop by the Hope Cress Farms tent to see what varieties are sprouting this week, and to get even more suggestions for how to use them.

Welcome to the dog days of summer! Unfortunately we still can only allow service dogs at market, but we have plenty to help you cool down after long days in the sun with the kids. Join us this week for a growing abundance of produce, freshly cut micro-greens and corn on the cob… We also have a wide variety of handmade baked goods, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, pickles and condiments, and handmade products like soaps, jewelry and more. Don’t forget to bring the kids… we have ice cream, too! 

This week we host Peter Sando at the music tent

See you at market!

The West Milford Farmers Market is looking for a few people interested in volunteering a few hours to greet as they come to market. This is a great opportunity for teens or adults to get service hours! Stop by the Market tent to learn more.

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

Empanada Lady

Clyde's Italian Ice

Rosie's Market 

Top of the Mountain Honey

Orlando's Bakery 

Seven Tribesmen Brewing Co.

Pickle Licious

Pesto Joe

Hope Cress Farms

Muino's Baked Goods

Jewelry Designs by Melinda

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Pesto Joe

Meet the Musician: Peter Sando

Not long after her father’s passing in 2021, Carina Castagna opened the freezer for dinner and found one of her father’s pesto sauces. Seeing it gave her the idea to honor his memory by recreating his beloved sauce.

“For as long as I can remember my dad has been making pesto sauces. Growing up my family always had dozens of basil plants in the backyard… and I specifically remember my dad being particular about the basil he picked for each batch. He wanted to ensure the correct type of basil was used, and that each leaf was at its peak.”

Carina was awarded seed funding for Pesto Joe thanks to a startup program offered by Seton Hall in the summer of 2022. By December of the same year, the business was officially off the ground and running. 

“Knowing how fragile life is and how short our time is with our loved ones, I wanted Pesto Joe to be a means in which families can gather together and spend quality time with one another,” Carina said. 

As a young girl, Carina recalls being her father’s “official taste tester.”  The specific gurgling noise the blender would make when the sauce was made perfectly is the same gurgling sounds she looks for to ensure she’s put the ingredients in the right order and amount when making batches of pesto today. As a child, that sound was her cue to run to the kitchen and give her “professional” opinion on the flavor. Joe’s pesto was a labor of love—he spent time inspecting the dozens of basil plants in their home garden to find the “perfect leaf.” Family and friends would continually ask for more pesto, and essentially begged him for the recipe.

However, in true Italian fashion, there wasn’t a “true” recipe to be given. Instead, Carina said her father essentially cooked using a “dash” of this, a “pinch” of that, or a “handful” of leaves.

“To an untrained eye it might have looked as if he was making it up as he went, but he was very purposeful and systematic and somehow always had the pesto perfectly made.”

Her father varied every batch of pesto, often based on what he was cooking with it, or who he was sharing the batch with. He adored garlic, and would eat it raw. However, Carina realized that not everyone wanted as much garlic as her father. This prompted her to create her two original flavors, traditional and garlic lovers, which she says compliments steak or chicken well. Carina hopes to one day create additional flavors, using the traditional recipe as the base.

She learned the recipe by watching her father from a young age. She began by hunting for the perfect leaves of basil, then handing her father each ingredient while he blended them together. Creating a written recipe to ensure a consistent flavor across batches, has been one of Carina’s biggest hurdles in starting the business. However, she was able to recreate her father’s recipe and write it down for generations to come. 

Pesto Joe sources its ingredients from local family farms in New Jersey. Carina would love to grow her own basil someday, but until she has the ability to keep up with the demand, she remains focused on sourcing high-quality ingredients from local sources. 

Pesto Joe wants to slow life down for you and to create a means in which you can have a sit-down family dinner and enjoy each other’s company. They strive to be a high-quality healthy alternative that provides an easy way to make a delicious meal. Whether it be pasta with pesto, homemade pizza, or a sandwich!

Pesto Joe is committed to bringing families together and creating a positive impact and so they donate to charitable organizations on an annual basis.

The more you eat, the more we grow, the more we can give!  

Want to learn more? Visit www.pestojoe.com

Each batch is made with love, from a father to a daughter, to your family.