Rosie’s Market, run by West Milford local, Hana Sabol, was named to represent an older time when products were made naturally, with real ingredients. 

“When I started the business then I knew it was important for me to be 100% truly natural,” Hana said. “Not natural with fragrances, not natural with synthetic add-ins.”

Hana chose the name “Rosie” to accompany her market’s fifties-style logo as a nod to her grandmother.

Although Hana began selling all-natural soaps and candles in  2015, the business was rebranded as “Rosie’s Market” in 2020 to represent a more diversified product list. In addition to her signature soaps and soy candles, Hana also sells other self-care products, as well as sage, crystals and sustainably sourced, therapeutic-grade essential oils and roll-ons. 

Nothing but quality inside

What Hana finds most important in her business is leaving out all of the unnecessary or non-natural ingredients from skincare. What’s left is skin care (and candles) in their purest, cleanest form.

“My focus is making sure the product is quality, that it’s coming from the best place possible, that I’m keeping it at the best price possible,” Hana said.

Hana takes care when sourcing the essential oils that fragrance her soaps and candles. She believes it is important to trust her distributor, and only uses 100% therapeutic grade, steam-distilled essential oils from a company she trusts. Despite the wide-spread inflation of prices, she’s doing her best to continue to remain affordable, because she believes everyone should be able to access naturally-made products. Although the labels may not say so, she sources organic ingredients whenever possible. If you have a question about what’s in one of her items, simply ask! 

Rosie’s Market in Brick and Mortar

Rosie has stepped away from regular farmers market appearances since opening her storefront in June of 2023 at the Belcher’s Run Shopping Center (1608 Union Valley Rd. West Milford, NJ). The items you remember and love from market can all be found there, alongside goods from other local artisans.

“[Opening a store] is something I always wanted to do in the back of my mind,” Hana said. “Then, one thing led to another, and this location opened up and. Since it was something I always thought about doing, I decided to go all the way.”

Although getting customers to walk through the door is more difficult than she thought it would be, Hana loves seeing her regulars, and recognizing familiar faces from market. 

The structure of Hana’s business model shifted with the storefront. In addition to the gift shop, Hana runs workshops and classes there, like soap or candle making workshops. She also has brought other vendors in to host events, such as a recent sound bath meditation and healing. Although Hana is still appearing at farmers markets, including West Milford Farmers’ Market, which she helps sponsor, much of her time is now spent on location in Belcher’s Run. 

‘[Having a storefront] is similar in setting up your location, but there are a lot of in and outs  to running a store that weren’t there before [when I was just doing markets].”

Getting the Rosie’s Market Recipes Right

Soap is her signature item, and how she began the business eight years ago. This wasn’t an instance of “trying a recipe online, then selling it,” she said. Hana conducted plenty of independent research, then tested and refined her recipe long before she began selling. She knew she had the right recipe when the soap had great lather, all the cleansing properties one wants in a bar of soap, and was long-lasting. 

Hana’s soaps are made with coconut oil, rather than traditional palm oil. That’s because through her research, she realized that although palm oil is renowned for its lathering properties, it is highly processed, and not environmentally sustainable. That doesn’t mean her soaps don’t have great lather, though. Hana continued working at her recipe until she got the lather people love, without environmentally difficult or overly-processed or synthetic ingredients. 

As with her soaps, Hana’s candles have no dyes or artificial fragrances. The slow-and-clean burning candles are made simply from 100% soy, fragranced with pure essential oils, providing a slow-burning, low-soot candle. 

“I spent time trying to perfect a product I can stand behind and be proud of,” she said. “But there’s always room for improvement.”

Finding the right scents

Many of her aromatherapy products, like her soaps, come in her pre-blended signature scents. Lemongrass and lavender was her first signature scent and she said it’s still incredibly popular eight years later. However, rose and rose geranium is a newer blend that is rapidly rising to (perhaps?) take its place in popularity. She’s also created blends and products based on customer feedback.

“I always try to listen to what customers are asking for and incorporate the items my customers are asking of me.”

Find Hana via her website www.rosiesnaturalmarket.com where orders over $75 ship for free, or visit her brick and mortar:

Belcher’s Run Shopping Center 

1608 Union Valley Rd. West Milford, NJ

A professional singer by trade, Amy Goff wanted to bring together her love of cooking and travel in a way that would share her talent and experiences with others. So, several years before COVID, Amy thought she’d put together a side hustle. Lunch Lady Foods, a prepared-food delivery service, represents the melding of her creative talents and endeavors.

How Lunch Lady Works

Once an order is placed via telephone or through the website, local delivery can be expected in one to two days (depending on her farmers market schedule). Patrons can also place an order for pick up at market.

Amy also brings a selection of soups and entrees to market each week—no preordering required. Examples of her market offerings can include options such as pasta fagioli, carrot ginger soup, spicy red lentil, quinoa with vegetables, and thai sesame noodles. 

All of the food is made fresh and in small batches, and Amy will even customize orders if she is able. In addition to home delivery, Amy’s foods can be found at local establishments—with soups making an appearance at The Breezy, and her grain and rice salads are a huge hit at Heaven Hill with hikers that pass through. 

Prepared with Quality Ingredients 

The ingredients in Lunch Lady Foods are often local and organic whenever possible and practical. Amy takes pride in our local economy as well as the quality and sustainability of her ingredients. She offers a number of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free choices, but makes note that her kitchen is not gluten-free.

Amy was inspired to create vegan/vegetarian options after realizing how hard they can be to find. Her husband is a vegetarian—and a professional drummer—a physically demanding job that requires solid fuel for him to stay healthy. 

“That’s my wheelhouse…finding recipes that are healthy and don’t contain meat,” Amy said. “It’s hard when you can't rely on meat to make something taste good.”

Local Delivery and Connections in West Milford, NJ

As a professional singer, Amy lived in Manhattan for 20 years before relocating to West Milford about fifteen years ago. 

“I love working here and meeting people here… I’ve made new friends, and people are super sweet and patient,” Amy said.

As with any new business, Lunch Lady was slow to get off the ground. Farmers markets helped get the word out, as well as get food into people’s hands, Amy said. The pandemic only drove the need for a local, healthy and homemade food-delivery service.

There really wasn't anything locally that's super healthy other than making it yourself, and I thought there was a niche that needed filled,” Amy explained. “I’ve done a lot of traveling, and I love food. I love cooking and being in the kitchen—I even love grocery shopping.  My mom was an amazing cook and she and I loved to be in the kitchen together. It was my comfort zone.” 

The Lunch Lady at Market

Find Amy each week at Market with a fresh, rotating selection of grain-based salads, soups and entrees. See what she has to offer and make meals easy (and healthy) this week. 

DeMarco’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is the kind of neighborhood spot that feels like it’s been there forever—because it has. Second-generation owner, Lou, hasn’t changed the old-school family vibe much over the years—but has made it a point to continually upgrade his game. For one, his food and ingredients are the best you can find. Not satisfied with anything less than simple and pure, you’d be hard pressed to find a kitchen with more non-GMO Verified ingredients. His flour is never bleached and never contains bromide, and his pasta is always authentically Italian and fresh.

Lessons Learned at a PizzeriA

Lou’s parents bought into the business with his godfather, Tom DiMaggio in the mid-seventies. He literally grew up in the kitchen, and twenty years ago he officially took the business over. 

The restaurant has been both a love and a challenge, helping Lou break out of his shell, understand the needs of customers of all ages and walks of life. Dealing with complaints has a way of sharpening the character, he jokes. 

“I often joke that I’ve been in the place since fetus. The restaurant is my big brother… teaching me the way big brothers often do.”

In the end, he’s taken this young start in the business of accommodation and turned it into a passion that’s reflected in his food and his business practice. 

A focus on fresh, quality ingredients

From experimenting in adding new foods people are asking to his repertoire, to offering clean, quality ingredient lists and allergen accommodations whenever possible, to providing late-night catering in a definitively delivery-deficit area, DeMarco’s Pizza has helped define our changing times.

“I really like meeting new people and having food,” Lou said. “In America right now we take for granted how easy it is to be fed and nurtured in that regard. I accommodate people through food, and that’s something that I don’t think restaurant people get.”

Dessert’s on us!

Like what you read? Mention this spotlight during your next visit for a free mini cannoli per diner when you order an entree or pizza.

Find Us

www.demarcospizza.com

1926 Union Valley Rd, Hewitt, NJ 07421

862-377-8000

Beat the heat this Wednesday with some fresh fruit and produce, or skip cooking and let our vendors make dinner for you. The kids will love fresh-churned ice cream from Clyde’s, and you’ll appreciate the fresh-baked goods and prepared foods. 

In addition to fresh produce, prepared foods and baked goods, you’ll find local honey, pickled items and pasture-raised meat. Stop by the NJSH Pet Rescue booth, and visit the folks from The New Weis Center for Education, Arts and Recreation, both of whom will be visiting the market. We’re also excited to see Rosie’s Market, whose booth is making a special appearance this week as a market sponsor.

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

Plus, keep reading to learn how you can join us and many of our vendors at a lovely garden party dinner this summer, or stop by the Market booth this Wednesday to learn more.

See you at market!

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

Rosie's Market

Clyde's Italian Ice & Ice Cream

Top of the Mountain Honey

Orlando's Bakers

Pesto Joe

Muino Bakery

Empanada Lady

Pickle Licious

Hope Cress Farms

The Cheese Guy

JT&T / Charcuterie

Lunch Lady Foods

Shorte and Sweet

Flounder Brewing

MEET THE VENDORS

NAture Connection Harvest Gala

The Nature Connection of West Milford brings together resources like our weekly Farmer’s Market that help people connect to nature and their communities. Without NCWM, we would not be here! That’s why we are excited to announce that many of our vendors will be joining us for the first ever NCWM Harvest Gala this August 18th. 

Enjoy an elegant garden-party style dinner made from local foods and prepared by many of our vendors. Support the Market while mingling with friends, neighbors and visionaries in the beautiful Wallisch Homestead barn and gardens.  

We are excited to open this event up to you—our dedicated market supporters—before they go on sale to the general public.

Secure your ticket today.

MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: DNA

DnA is a collaboration between  Alex Kerssen and Dani Zanoni. These West Milford natives have been performing together locally since high school, and play a wide range of covers that span classic and contemporary music. Also expect to hear some of Dani’s originals in her signature style of indie rock blended with classic pop. Dani has recorded an EP and several singles, and is currently working on her next album.

Are you ready for summer? 

It’s officially here this weekend, and whether you’ll be out celebrating, or staying home to enjoy the sunshine, we have everything you need for the changing season.

Visit us this Wednesday for fresh produce, prepared foods and baked goods, as well as local cheeses, pickled items and pasture-raised meat. The Chamber of Commerce will have a booth as well, so please stop by and say hello!

This week we host Kyle Hancharick at the music tent

Wouldn’t it be great if you could have an elegantly prepared meal of small bites from all of your favorite vendors, perhaps at a lovely garden party with soft music and all of your friends? 

Lucky for us… we’ll be doing just that this summer! Keep reading to learn more about our Harvest Gala and how you can get your ticket.
See you at market!

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

Clyde’s Italian Ice & Ice Cream

Top of the Mountain Honey

Original Jewelry Design by Melinda 

Orlando's Bakers

Pesto Joe

Muino Bakery

Empanada Lady

Pickle Licious

Hope Cress Farms

The Cheese Guy

Pie-Eyed Pizza

JT&T / Charcuterie

Lunch Lady Foods

Shorte and Sweet

Flounder Brewing

NCWM HARVEST GALA

The Nature Connection of West Milford brings together resources like our weekly Farmer’s Market that help people connect to nature and their communities. Without NCWM, we would not be here! That’s why we are excited to announce that many of our vendors will be joining us for the first ever NCWM Harvest Gala this August 18th. 

The event will be an opportunity to support the Market and learn about other ways NCWM supports the connection to nature while mingling with friends, neighbors and visionaries in the beautiful Wallisch Homestead barn and gardens. Enjoy an elegant garden-party style dinner made from local foods and prepared by many of our vendors.  
We are excited to open this event up to you—our dedicated market supporters—before they go on sale to the general public.

Visit the Gala homepage to learn more about this very special event and to secure your ticket today.

MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: Kyle Hancharick

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.

​Most recently, Kyle has begun work on his second full-length studio album, which is set to be released in 2023.

Kyle takes in the world, processes it and turns it into song with his own special touch. He continues to grow as an artist, sharing his story and messages of love and peace.

MEET KYLE

Thank you to everyone who turned out last week for opening day!  It was wonderful to be able to see everyone and visit with our new and returning vendors. Below are some photos of opening day.

Visit us this week for fresh produce, prepared foods and baked goods, as well as local beer, cheeses, pickled items and pasture-raised meat. Passaic County Health will have a booth as well, so please stop by and say hello!

This week we host Peter Sando at the music tent

Many thanks to those of you who visited and donated at our Ample Harvest tent last week. With your help we were able to raise $40. Half of that was used to purchase 13lbs of fresh produce for the Strengthen Our Sisters Women’s Shelter. The remaining $20 will be used toward next week’s donation. Thank you Courtney, for representing Ample Harvest, and for sharing information about local food and our market to visitors!

See you at market!

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

Clyde's Italian Ice & Ice Cream

Top of the Mountain Honey

Orlando's Bakers

Pesto Joe

Muino Bakery

Empanada Lady

Pickle Licious

Hope Cress Farms

The Cheese Guy

Pie-Eyed Pizza

Lunch Lady Foods

Flounder Brewing

Giovanna's Skincare

MEET THE VENDORS

MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: Peter Sando

This week we welcome guitarist, singer and songwriter, Peter Sando, to the music tent. Peter has been writing music since the 60s with his acclaimed album, “Gandalf.” Expect to hear sixties-inspired rock and folk at market this week, including favorites from Bob Dylan, Tim Hardin and The Beatles. You’ll even hear some originals peppered in, and possibly a psychedelic rock song from his Gandalf album. 

Opening Day Photos:

Songwriter, Peter Sando came of age in the 50s and 60s, a time when music was very diverse. Back when the Billboard top 40 included everything from country and R&B to novelty instrumental and foreign tunes, that time period has deeply influenced his musical career. His repertoire includes original country tunes, political songs as well as folk and rock. 

Ragu: A strong start

Peter’s first album, Gandalf, was recorded in the mid-sixties under the band Ragu, but still has a cult following today. At the time, Peter and his bandmates often played on the New York side of Greenwood Lake, where the drinking age was still 18 and where the clubs were hopping. They had wanted to play in Greenwich Village, but realized that cover songs just weren’t going to cut it. Peter began studying the craft of songwriting, and before long, Ragu got a contract with Capitol Records and recorded Gandalf, a psychedelic rock album. 

Influences include The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Steve Miller Band, to name a few. They were in good company in the Village alongside bands such as The Loving Spoonful, and Sly and the Family Stone. Peter calls this a very creative period for him and for music in general.

Creation of the Three-Minute-Dream

The concept of a three-minute dream (aka: a song that draws you in) is still something that attracts Peter to songwriting today. He records albums in his home studio, and some of his songs have been in film. He’s still influenced by his folk-rock and sixties-rock favorites, and also finds inspiration in contemporary songwriter Ron Sexton. 

He believes a personal understanding of what a song is about is what makes it powerful. His approach to writing is to get solid on a title or an idea, and let the lyrics flow/follow.

“My favorite part of playing is… the brand new child,” Peter said. “I get a thrill out of performing a new song when I finish it and record it.” 

Although he’s studied classical guitar and has been a rock-and-roll guitarist for many years, Peter finds guitar is basically the accompaniment to the melody and lyrics he writes. In addition to songwriting and playing guitar, Peter also sings and dabbles with the piano and harmonica. His daughter often accompanies him with background vocals in his recordings. 

Discover Peter at the market and beyond

At market this week, Peter will play both cover songs, and some of his originals (including something from his Gandalf album). Expect to hear sixties favorites by Tim Hardin, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, maybe a Beatles song or two.

Those looking to hear more of his originals, can check out his website to listen online, or come to his showcase at Noble Coffee Roasters near Goshen, NY this October where he will play all originals.

Discover Peter Sando and listen to his music online:

http://www.petersando.com

http://www.facebook.com/gandalf1969

http://petersando.bandcamp.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/peter-sando/id75746292#see-all/top-songs

This Wednesday is Opening Day!

We are so excited to see everyone again this season. We have a full roster of vendors—including many of your returning favorites, as well as some new faces. 

The Mayor will be joining us as we open at 3 p.m. to cut the ribbon… Join us and don’t miss out on fresh fruits and veggies, pasture raised meat and dairy, fresh cheese, hot food, baked goods, ice cream and so much more.

This week we host Bob Nicholson at the music tent

See you at market!

NOTE: Flowers by Donna will be joining us at market this July.

THIS WEEK’S VENDORS:

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

Clydes Italian Ice & Ice Cream

Top of the Mountain Honey

Orlando's Bakers

Pesto Joe

Muino Bakery

Empanada Lady

Pickle Licious

Hope Cress Farms

Pie-Eyed Pizza

Lunch Lady Foods

Jersey Roots

Shorte and Sweet

Flounder Brewing

MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: Bob Nicholson

“A musician has to be true to himself.” 

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. 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 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.