McHenry County News FRE
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Volume 6 Issue 25
June 16, 2016
WOODSTOCK CAR WASH N O W O P E N
• 3 Heated Bays • Brand New Vacuums • Automatic Wash Now Open • 7’ High and Large Enough for Dually Pickup Trucks
218 Fair Street, Woodstock, IL (Behind McDonalds)
239731
Crystal Lake Market Opens
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTOS McHenry County News
Harms Farm is chock-full of greenery and family crafted jams, mustard, and other delicious condiments.
By Anne Eickstadt CORRESPONDENT
Depot Park by the train station in Crystal Lake is a hotbed of activity on Saturday, June 4. Canopies line the meandering walkways, each with fresh goodies to check out. It is the opening day of Crystal Lake’s Farmers’ market. My first stop is at ‘Firefly Confections’ with Sandy Aravalo and Julie Allaway. “I started the business five years ago with decorated cookies for parties, special orders and online,” says owner Aravalo. “From there, I started making caramels and wrote a book, then came back to cookies. I won the 2015 Barnes & Noble Bake Off.” Aravalo’s book “Artisan Caramels: Classic and Inspired Confections” contains recipes with step-bystep instructions. It is available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon as well as at Aravalo’s website www.FireflyConfections.com. “I’m here for looks and charm,” Allaway tells me. ‘The Aspiring Kitchen’ booth is my next stop. Bob De Palma is the owner of
this business which makes “Food for the soul.” Today, they are offering Sushi grade tuna and Great Lakes whitefish, both smoked and fresh. “I like to be creative in the kitchen with sauces. Our fish comes from all over the world. We do all natural things, make veggie burgers, change it up from week to week,” he says. Their newest creation is “Gotta Have It Sauce.” It is vegan, dairy free and gluten free. The sauce is created with fresh vegetables and is good for dips and mixes. www. theaspiringkitchen.com From there, I visit Dawn’s Bread. “Dawn’s Bread began as a one-woman bakery which sold bread and baked goods at local farmers’ markets and fairs.” The business has grown and has become Le Petit Marche at 19 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake. Fans of Dawn’s Bread make Le Petit Marche a regular visit to continue to enjoy the deliciousness of her baked goods. www.petitmarche.biz Harms Farm catches my eye next with its tables of plants, flowering, fruiting
See MARKET, Page 2
Julie Allaway and Sandy Aravalo greet visitors to the Firefly Confections booth at the Crystal Lake Farmers Market.