July 5, 2023 4:48 PM
PLUMP PEA PODS PILED. Juicy red and golden tomatoes gathered. Leafy lettuce layered. Bulky orange beets positioned beside purple ones. Bundles of radishes, beets and carrots bursting brilliant hues on a vendor’s table.
This is the bounty of summer in southern Minnesota.
A recent mid-morning Friday walk at Northfield’s Riverside Lions Park took me past Northfield Farmers Market vendors pulling vegetables, baked and canned goods, and more from their vehicles. As they set up shop, I lingered, admiring the fresh vegetables that appeared so visually pleasing and, I’m sure, are equally as tasty.
I was early. The market starts at 11:45 am, runs til 1 pm, Tuesdays and Fridays, and from 9-11 am Saturdays through October.
I left the local marketers to their display work, continuing into the park, which hugs the Cannon River. Water draws me. I paused along river’s edge to frame the distant 5th Street West bridge with my Canon camera. Lush baskets of petunias splashed pink into the greenery and the brown hardscape of buildings. Below ducks swam in the placid river while a red car crossed the bridge.
If not for the constant thrum of traffic on busy Minnesota State Highway 3, this would prove a peaceful setting. Yet I still enjoy this park, appreciating the flower gardens, florals spilling from balconies on the apartment building across the street, the ping of balls and the hum of conversation from the nearby pickleball courts.
I still had one more place to stop—the spot along the riverbank where the ducks hang out. I was hoping to see the pure white ducks I’ve previously seen here. They were there along with the mallards, the iridescent green of the drakes’ heads shimmering in the late morning light.
With time to spare while waiting for Randy, I joined a man sitting at a picnic table. Either he would welcome conversation or he wouldn’t. He did. We talked about the market—he awaited its opening with cloth bags at the ready—and health and the care he gave his wife before she passed and family and the model railroad spread over eight sheets of plywood in his basement. And he told me about the new museum opening in Randolph across from the fire hall. The Randolph Area Historical Society is constructing a building that will cover the history of six Dakota and Goodhue County townships, house a family history research library and serve as a community gathering spot.
Randolph is a town rich in railroad history. I’d been there many years ago for Randolph Railroad Days, I shared with my new friend. Given his interest in trains, he has, too, and gave me the dates, October 21 and 22, for the 2023 event. I promptly added the celebration, which includes model railroad and railroad displays, a swap meet and more, to my smartphone calendar.
Soon my phone beeped with a text from Randy that he was nearly done with his appointment. I thanked the guy at the picnic table for the conversation, then aimed back toward the farmers market. I stopped to photograph the colorful produce and the goodies at McKenna’s Sweet Treats stand, my eyes focusing on the cookies, the mini fruit crisps, the sweet breads… And at the end of the table, quart and pint jars brimmed with spaghetti sauce and salsa in the loveliest shade of rich red, seasonings and onions floating in all that homemade goodness.
While I felt tempted to buy a treat made from raspberry preserves, I didn’t. But I left feeling appreciative for the gardeners and bakers and cooks who share their produce and goods at farmers’ markets like the one in Northfield. I felt appreciative, too, for conversation with a stranger and ducks along the river and the Cannon which winds through southern Minnesota on a lovely summer day.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Posted by Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: baked goods, Cannon River, city park, farmers' market, food, garden produce, McKenna's Sweet Treats, Minnesota, model railroad, museum, nature, Northfield, Northfield Farmers Market, Randolph Historical Society, Randolph Railroad Days, river, Riverside Lions Park, summer, vegetables
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It’s lovely when those opportunities arise for casual conversation. The produce is so lovely now.
By Beth Ann on July 5, 2023 at 7:38 PM
I’m never one to shy away from conversations with strangers. And, yes, the produce is lovely, fresh from the farm.
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 5, 2023 at 9:06 PM
Thank you for the Farmers Market visit; your photos and post made me hungry for all those veggies and goodies.
By Bernadette Hondl Thomasy on July 5, 2023 at 8:13 PM
Makes you miss the farm, doesn’t it?
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 5, 2023 at 9:06 PM
Yes please to all the foods above – nothing better than fresh from the garden and homemade sweet treats. I packed some pear and cherry tomatoes from my garden in my lunch bag to have today – YUM! Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
By cravesadventure on July 6, 2023 at 8:40 AM
Nothing like garden fresh tomatoes.
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 13, 2023 at 10:04 AM
So nice to hear that a good conversation with a stranger was enjoyable. I get into conversations like that all the time and find out the most interesting things. It also must mean that you are feeling a bit more like your old self? Wonderful pictures Audrey. Continue to shine your light on all that you meet.😊
By The Cedar Journal on July 7, 2023 at 12:03 AM
You and I are alike in that way, in striking up conversations with strangers. I’m trying to take more photos, per my physical therapist’s request that I do so. Some days I feel fairly well, other days not so much.
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 13, 2023 at 10:07 AM
I can relate on all that you just mentioned. Just take it slow and try not to let frustration take the controls.😊🤗
By The Cedar Journal on July 14, 2023 at 11:59 AM
I’m trying Paula. There are days, though, when the frustration takes over.
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 14, 2023 at 3:35 PM
So glad you had a good experience in Northfield. 😉
By Valerie on July 7, 2023 at 9:18 AM
I enjoyed my time at Riverside Park.
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 13, 2023 at 10:07 AM
All of your photos invite me to taste the bounty. And those pies!!
By Ruth on July 8, 2023 at 6:25 AM
Thanks for appreciating my food shots. All of it is tempting, isn’t it? I should have bought one of those mini sweet treats. Next time.
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 13, 2023 at 10:10 AM
Yes I regret photographing something and not tasted it. Like all those candy bars!
By Ruth on July 13, 2023 at 12:08 PM
I should have gone with my impulse and purchased a sweet treat. 🙂
By Audrey Kletscher Helbling on July 13, 2023 at 4:13 PM