STAFF NOTE: My Basil Plants Are Making Me Sappy
some of the best things about Eau Claire can be found at the Phoenix Park pavilion's summer farmers markets
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been moving and settling into a new rental in the Randall Park area of Eau Claire. One of the things I’ve been most excited about is my newfound proximity to the Saturday morning farmers markets at the Phoenix Park pavilion.
After all these years, walking up to the market and hearing live music, the chatter of families and friends and solo market goers, and the vibrant sights and smells of locally-grown produce still does it for me.
It feels so quintessentially Eau Claire. The best parts of this place, coalescing downtown; drawing locals of all ages and backgrounds in through fresh-cut flowers, pails of peppers at absurdly low prices, and the aroma of herbs – grown and sold by neighbors, with a genuine smile.
A couple weeks ago, my man and I followed that herby aroma, right up to Suncrest Farms’ booth – and left with one dill and three basil plants (plus a bouquet from Maiv Flower Farm, bread from Bohemian Ovens, and bundles of rhubarb), ready to be re-potted at our new home. Almost every day since, we check in on those plants, eager to see how much they've grown and to get another whiff of that basily goodness.
When you flip to page 40, you’ll find our annual “Farm Fresh” special section, complete with a mini schedule of local farmers markets and stories about local producers, CSA providers and more. If I could, I’d give each of you a bundle of herbs from my quickly-growing plants, but for now, please accept another (free!) issue of V1 – something we, too, hope feels quintessentially Chippewa Vallian.
