Susie and I have found many benefits for attending the Pendleton Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. The Market begins in early May and runs through early October, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to noon. Locally grown, produced, processed and/or crafted products may be sold by vendors at this gathering.

But, we have found other reasons for making this trip on Saturday mornings.

First, even if there were no other reasons to go, we enjoy a slow walk through the park. We park in the lot on the east end of the event and walk along Fall Creek watching the water go by, and looking at the ducks and geese, (little ones there now), until we get to the museum.

Then we cut through and start checking out all of the vendor exhibits.

Even if we visit the area on days other than Saturday, we still walk along the street or follow the fence around the pond watching the youngsters fishing. When we arrive at the playground at the west end of the park, we turn around and head back toward the car.

Of course, when the vendors are set up, it takes us a lot longer because we look at all the displays and talk to the exhibitors.

While the event is set up for selling various items, we have made several new friends while visiting.

Last year, we were looking at some tables displaying bowls made from various types of wood. They were different colors, grains and sizes. There were other wooden items including rings, pens, salt and pepper shakers, and more.

We spent a long time at this booth because I was very interested in his products.

I had learned to use a wood lather in shop class in high school and had made many bowls, lamps, pens, and other items on my lathe. I learned the vendor’s name was Jason. Every week we would stop here and look at his products and talk some more.

We met his wife, Ladonna, and found she had graduated from Pendleton High School just a year ahead of our daughter. Talking to her brought back memories of many of the kids, teachers and events we knew from years ago. Now, we get together at least once a week to go out for dinner at one of the local restaurants.

As we continue walking along the booths, we met Brenda. She was at a display selling baked goods. I had met her many years ago when she was working at a pizza place in town. Some of us local workers would visit there for our lunch break several times a week. Susie talked to her and was able to obtain some sourdough starter from her to take home. We have been making delicious bread ever since.

At another table, we met a young couple named Amy and Frank. She makes homemade, aromatic candles. While she was selling, I began talking to Frank and found he had just acquired a wood lathe and was trying to learn how to use it. I offered to give him some free instructions. Then, I don’t know how, but metal detecting was brought into the conversation. I told him we had been doing that for more than 40 years and we would be glad to take them out detecting with us. Hopefully, we will be able to add them to our list of new friends.

At another booth, we always stop and talk to an older couple. We met them last year at the Market and enjoy talking gardening and other subjects with them. I don’t know their name, but we still talk to them every time we see them. The lady in the booth beside them makes needlecraft, and Susie enjoys talking to her about those topics. As we wander through the street, we speak to many other vendors and a lot of the other shoppers who we know from times past.

There is a wide variety of products to look at while strolling through the park. A young girl who has displayed at the event for several years makes beautiful jewelry. A lot of different baked goods, coffee, and other food products are offered. Many plants, vegetable starts, and flower arrangements are available in various booths.

As the produce from the local farms and gardens becomes available, corn, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and many other vegetables will be offered by local growers.

If you would like to talk to me about any of my Times-Post stories, visit the farmers market. I do not have a booth there every weekend because of my busy travel schedule, but I sometimes have a booth selling exotic wooden pens made on my wood lathe. Stop in and let’s talk a while.