On behalf of the Maple Valley Farmers Market (MVFM) Board of Directors, I would like to extend our deep appreciation and a huge thank you to all of our farmers, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, devoted customers and our community for an amazing second year! You are the reason that the MVFM is such a great place to be on Saturday mornings – three months out of the year. As our motto suggests, the MVFM is “The Saturday Morning Place to Be! ” We all look forward to our third year commencing Saturday June 19, 2011.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of those individuals, businesses, and organizations who continue to believe in our vision and who chose to be part of this wonderful grass roots effort of bringing a farmers’ market to our community. Without active community engagement, there would be no Farmers Market – so we are very thankful for the “many hands coming together” that makes our Farmers Market the best it can be. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize up front, if I have missed anyone.
Sponsors: The City of Maple Valley and the Maple Valley City Council, Tahoma School District Superintendent Mike Maryanski and the Tahoma School District; J & Brad Johnson (Johnson’s Home & Garden Do-It Center); Dr. Caviness (Wilderness Animal Hospital); Donna Hayes (Voice of the Valley Newspaper); Rotary Club of Maple Valley; Maple Valley/Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce; Ross Olive (State Farm Insurance 4-Corners Safeway Plaza); Amy Kuipers (Maple Valley Signs); Multi-Care/Maple Valley Clinic; Chris Nelson (Money Mailer); Rebecca Rohman (Just for Them Gift Baskets); Kelli Upton (The Screening Shop); Karen Haines Illustriddler, LLC; Joseph McKeown (George’s Bakery); Party Etc./Dollar Etc.; and Judy & Wade Bennett (Rockridge Orchards) .
Donors: Cheryl & Bob Castagna; Victoria and Scott Jonas; Sharon and Rick Pasko; and Dennis O’Shields ( Uncle Dennis’ Food).
Tahoma School District Staff: Jennifer Gosnell; Jacklyn Rupert; Marie Page; Kevin Patterson; Dave Ortell; Sheila Carriveau and Stacey Weedman.
Special Recognition: Madeline Minkema THS Student (2010 poster artist winner);
Debra Meade (webmaster and special event coordinator)’ Nicole Meade ( weekly chalkboard artist); Brooke Dillon (newspaper article writer); “Voice of the Valley” Newspaper (Donna Hipple); “Maple Valley/Covington Reporter” Newspaper (Dennis Box and Kris Hill); Jim Hanna (entertainment coordinator) and Larry Gholsten (chili cook-off coordinator).
Volunteers: HighPoint Church and Elsie Chaudoin; Johann and Larry Baumgart; Sean P. Kelly; Charlene Gerken; Jennifer Ranous Rodgers; Dottie and Maddie Garza; Bob, Cheryl, and Nick Castagna; Brett, Debra, Nicole and Alyson Meade; Scott Jonas; Jack, Alex and Austin Emmons; Layne and Claudia Barnes; Allison Scott; Rose Borden; Cathy and Michael Hilde; Renea Zosel and Juvenile Diabetes Association.
Non-Profit Organizations: Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra; Lake Wilderness Arboretum; Christian Friends of the Troops; Maple Valley/Black Diamond VFW Post 5052 (Richard Ludwig and honored veterans); Maple Valley Creative Arts Council; Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services; Maple Valley Library Guild; Girl Scout Troop #2520 and #41434; Greater Maple Valley Community Center; King County Master Recycle & Composting (Diana Pistol and Jessica Deer); King County Noxious Weeds; Maple Valley/Enumclaw Master Gardeners; Save Habitat And Diversity of Wetlands; South King County Spay & Neuter Assistance; South County Cats; Covington Quilt Guild; Boy Scout Troop #711 Star Wolves Patrol; Tahoma PTSA; Tahoma Bear’s Touchdown Boosters; Maple Valley Historical Society and Maple Trails Garden Club.
Community Booth Participants: Multi-Care/Maple Valley Clinic; Tahoma School District; Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety; Maple Valley Police Department; King County Sheriff’s Office; Kinder Swimmer; Dan Nichols (Tractor Factor); Karen Crowe & Breast Buddies; Diane Pringle & Bust Buddies; Kim & Jack Emmons/John L. Scott (Breast Cancer Awareness); Envirospect; Parkinson’s Disease Group; Emergency Preparedness Fair; Diana Pistoll & Jessica Deer (Master Recycler Composters); Maple Valley MOM’s Club; Maple Valley/Covington Area Moms; Pacific Martial Arts Academy; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Prime Time Business Expo (Maple Valley/Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce); Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy; Maple Trails Garden Club; Pacific Martial Arts Academy; James Beauchamp; and LA Fitness/Covington.
Guest Chef Demonstrations: Ginger Passarelli owner of Mama Passarelli’s Dinner House and Executive Chef Chaz Olsen and Pastry Chef Amelia Higgins of Lake Wilderness Grill Restaurant.
Entertainment: Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra; Jacklyn Rupert; Ryegrass; Wagon Wheels Square Dance; Ron Porzio; Stillwater; Gary Benson; Denim & Diamonds; Diane Thom; Skinny People Kissing; Uncle Phil; Tori Whitten; Bluegrass Renegades; Down the Road; Ensemble Ballet Theatre (EBT); Train Wreck; Rhythm Players; and RJ & Company.
Student Employees: Natalie Page; Sydney McBride; Emily Page; Ian Davis
Patrick Noy; Josh Holt; Madeline Minkema and Nick Castagna.
Vendors: Gradwohl’s Farm Beef; Westover Farm; Full Circle Firm; Outlook Farm; Oasis Soil Solutions; Ze Chang Farm; Calhoun Fruit Farm; Lavender Valley Farm; Sophia’s Blueberry Farm; Gone to Seed Farm; Alpaca at Morning Star Ranch; Silver Springs Creamery; Smith Brothers Farm; Shao Cha Gardens; Happy Cow Dairy; McSweet; Children’s Garden; Sweet As Can Be Honey Farm; Thistlewood Farm; Mai Houn Gardens; Yee Yanh Garden; Ze Chang Gardens; Sugar and Spice Alpaca Ranch; Isabella Grace Wine; Illusion Wine; Chelane’s Jam; Daily Bagel; Mama Rizzo’s Biscotti & More; George’s Bakery; EJ’s Custom Catering; Oh Fudge; Uncle Dennis’ Food; Mixed Blessings; Groves Gourmet Pasta; Cougar Mountain Kettle Corn Company; Frawg & Turtle BBQ/Apple Butter; Maple Valley Creative Arts Council; Corey Markus; Bob Schillereff Photography; Windy Hills Farm; Karie’s Over the Top Creations; Angela Ramsey; Pepo Park; Bella Beads; Doug Fox Handcrafted Turned Wood Products; 4 Ever Memories; Donna Stoufer Pottery; Zay Publishing; York Patty; Mrs. Magoo and Lou; Lara Lutrick& Lori Bergmann; Bug Alley Artisans; Alley Kat Creations; Shorty’s Stuff; Sandy Schwarz Recycled Art; Fletcher’s Furniture; Simply Luscious Natural Bath Products; Bags by Marilyn; Linda’s Custom Quilts & Gifts; Samba Daramy; Designs by Kim; Kelas Baby Boutique; Crystal Logsdon; Lady M Designs for You; Stork & Me; Chastain Bee-wax Products; My Little Pillow Store; Copper Star Designs; Timeless Impression; Dana Grimm & Lila Henderson Mosaic Stones; Mama’s Hats; Donna Lee’s Aprons and More and Wooltistic.
Youth Entrepreneurs: Kelin Doner; Alyssa Schnell; Riley Haacke; Bailey Pricco and Hollye Tufts.
And finally, I would like to thank my Board of Directors who have been so devoted in dedicating thousands of volunteer hours towards our continued efforts of sustaining a successful Farmers’ Market in Maple Valley. I occasionally catch myself thinking back, over the past three years now, of when we began working towards realizing our common dream. Collectively we have achieved our dream and we continue to be true to our mission: “to enhance the livability of all of our community members through the establishment of the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market. As a community gathering place, the Farmers’ Market will become a location to discover all of the uniqueness that a Farmers’ Market has to offer. And most importantly, weekly shopping at the Farmers’ Market will help financially support and sustain local/regional family farmers, vendors and local business owners.” It is an honor to have had the opportunity to work alongside such amazing community leaders. Our MVFM Board of Director’s includes: Mary Jane Glaser (Vice-President), Patty Davis (Treasurer), Cindy Svalstedt (Secretary), Kim Emmons, Cheryl Castagna, Marie Lindblom, David Casey, Marie Page, and Dottie Garza.
Victoria Laise Jonas
President
Maple Valley Farmers Market
