It’s looking like July 4th is going to be a glorious day of sunshine. With that bit of good news, I bring you this week’s market update from Steve Stycos:

CARROTS, POTATOES AND BEETS

The Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market will be open Saturday July 4 from 9 AM to 12 PM. Summer vegetables are arriving. Last week, Pak Express had new potatoes, Moosup River Farm had new potatoes and hot house tomatoes, and Zephyr Farm had zucchini and summer squash. This week, farmers will have beets and carrots for the first time, in addition to lots of healthy swiss chard, lettuce and other vegetables. Consider grilling some onions and beets over the weekend, in addition to making a great green salad.

BOOK SALE SUCCESS

Last week’s book sale made $667. Thanks to our crew of Sam and Penelope Hough, Joan, Crystal, Alisson Walsh, Addison, Steve Stycos, Michele Kozloski, Tim Lehnert and Amery Fleming. Special thanks to Tammy Eaton for bringing tables and good spirits. And congratulations to Tim on the publication of his new primer on our state, entitled “Rhode Island 101.”

Thanks also to all those who donated books. The extra children’s books will go to the Rhodes Elementary School book sale and all the adult books went to Pawtucket Public Library for their next sale.

We always have a debate over prices, seesawing between encouraging sales and making money for the market. Please tell us your thoughts on our prices by responding to this email.
The profits, average for our sales, will pay for our berry box recycling program and more tree planting at the market.

FIREFLIES IN GREAT FORM

Fireflies are putting on their annual mating ritual every night just down the Pawtuxet River trail in the big grassy field. (The trail starts at the lower Rhodes on the Pawtuxet parking lot and the field is about 500 feet into the woods.) The fireflies start around 8:45 PM. Fireflies are actually several different species, each with its own characteristic blinking pattern. The female bug sits on the grass and waits until she sees a male with an attractive blink. Then she responds, revealing her position and starting the mating process.

For more information read the article in the June 30 NY Times science section.

If you go to see the fireflies, remember to bring a flash light for the dark walk home. Long sleeves, long pants and some insect repellent will help with the mosquitoes. The night we went, the mosquitoes were present but not bad, but they were bad other nights.

See you at the market.