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MARCH 2024
VOL. 36 NO. 39
Winter market held at Vincent United By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent Shoppers crowded into Vincent United Methodist Church, filling their bags with vegetables and other goods. As the 15th season of the Nutley Farmers Market approaches with opening day in mid-June, this special Winter Market was held on Feb. 18. In addition to farmers, food companies, jewelry, dog treats, soaps, candles, and community organization Nutley Music Boosters Association, there was musical entertainment by CJ Live. “The Winter Market is one of our most popular,” Mayor Joseph Scarpelli said. “It comes when no football is on. People are looking for something to do.” Meredith Blank, coordinator and market manager of Winter Market, said organizers specifically picked the Sunday after Super Bowl Sunday for the event. “It’s worked out very well,” Blank said. “We have the best vendors and best patrons. It’s a good vibe. We always try to get live music. We like community engagement.” While the Farmer’s Market is in its 15th season, the Winter Market happened just four times, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024—pausing in between due to the pandemic. Jim Herman, of Nutley, came with his family. “We like to get the kids out so they can learn the importance of vegetables,” Herman said, adding he also enjoys the diversity of vendors. Teresa Bonilla, treasurer of Nutley Music Boosters Association and band parent, explained the purpose of her community organization. They sell apparel to fundraise and support all music programs in Nutley schools for all grades. Braden Somers, of Somers 27 Soap Co., is a 17-year-old who started her business as a senior in high school. She was in TREPS, an entrepreneur program for kids, which helps students figure out what they want to do. Her body care products— lip balm, shampoo, soap, and beard oil—
Photo By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Braden Somers, 17, who started her own soap company, had a stand at the Nutley Winter Market at Vincent United Methodist Church. are all natural. She doesn’t use plastic containers either. Monica Suarez and Karina Madera are partners in Iberica, a Nutley-based Spanish potato chip company. They’ve been working together for more than a year selling the chips which are imported from Spain. Wendy Priolo, her daughter Nicole Priolo, and granddaughter, Giavonna Priolo, have a family run bakery. “I learned from my husband’s grandmother,” said Wendy. She’s been a home baker for 35 years, specializing in cheesecake. Katie Mellody, of Nutley, makes handmade candles and soap, which began as a hobby for her during high school. She’s
also an interior painter. Eric Dawson founded Grandma Emmas cobblers when he was battling stage III stomach cancer. He said emotionally, baking helped his anxiety and depression. “Baking my grandmother’s cobbler gave me a place to escape,” he said. Joan Czirbik of Bloomfield makes handmade jewelry with all natural gemstones. She loves the Winter Market. “The people are so friendly and so nice,” she said. “Everybody is upbeat.” Ginger Kesler, one of the owners of Tree-Licious Orchards, made baked goods from their own apples. Based in Port Murray, they have 10 varieties of apples, plus See POST, Page 2