South Royalton Market

A reminder that this Friday–and every 3rd Friday of every month–the Market celebrates Member Appreciation Day.  We have two levels of membership, both involving a one-time, life-long investment in our local business. Blue level members pay $50; gold level pay $200. In return they get a 5% or 15% discount (respectively) twice a month–once on MAD and once on the day of your choice. You can become a member at any time. Ask your cashier for an application form.

Currently on display in the Market’s art space: “Art and the Journey of the Soul,” drawings and paintings by  students (early childhood-grade 8) at the Wellspring Waldorf School in Tunbridge.

According to Waldorf philosophy, children ages 7-14 operate primarily out of the feeling side of life which is most readily accessed through movement, music, and visual arts. For this reason, art is the medium for teaching academic subjects, rather than as a subject by itself.

This exhibit shows a range of work and illustrates how their artistic work mirrors their spiritual and personal development. It is up through the end of May. This watercolor painting of a Viking ship is by Hunter Dutton.

THIS AFTERNOON: What’s Good for My Pet? Cat and Dog Nutrition, a free talk by local veterinarian Dr. Anne Carroll on Thursday, May 9 at 3:00 at the Market. Topics include: wet vs. dry food, unprocessed diets (homemade, raw & dehydrated), and how to read labels to evaluate the product’s nutritional quality and value for the price. Handouts and samples included. Registration appreciated but not required. Email or call us or sign up near the pet food. Look forward to seeing you!

Good  news: the leaves are opening on the trees. Bad news: black flies come out soon after. Get your bug repellent now! We have a variety of effective brands, including some that are locally made. Check them out in the HABA department near the registers.

Things are fishy at the Market on Wednesdays–as in fresh fish and homemade sushi.

Dave, our sushi and sandwich maker, has it ready to go around 11:00.

Fresh fish goes out after lunch. We put it on ice for four days; after that, it goes to the freezer (well ahead of the accepted guideline of seven days. We want it to taste great).

This week’s offerings: haddock, scallops, salmon, and catfish.

Pussywillows, collected by local children, in a vase will bring a Spring to your desk or kitchen table. Find them on display at the front of the grocery aisles.

Whether you are participating in the Eco-Challenge actively or from the sidelines, you can check out the blog at catamountecochallenge.wordpress.com.

Be part of the on-line community to share your experience and learn from others. As an incentive, bloggers will be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate to King Arthur Flour. Be well and do good!

Want to make a positive change for yourself, the Earth, and quite possibly your wallet, too? Then consider giving yourself an eco-challenge. The challenge starts today (or whenever you read this) and runs through Earth Day, April 22. More information is posted below and under the Education tab on this website. One person asked, “Does turning off the water when you brush your teeth count as an Eco-Challenge? I’ve trying to start doing that.” The answer is yes! Any habit that you’d like to change to be more earth-friendly is valid. Choose something that interests you and go for it. Use the structure of the eco-challenge (a set time, a place to register and blog, knowing that others are doing it, too) to support you in meeting a goal. Register on-line at CatamountEcoChallenge.wordpress.com or in-person at the Market (poster in Aisle 2). Here’s to Spring and to change.

SoRo Market invites you to a two-week Eco-Challenge, Monday April 8 to Earth Day, April 22. What’s an Eco-Challenge? It’s an opportunity to change a routine habit to make it more environmentally friendly. Here’s how it works: Set a challenge for yourself. Practice it for two weeks. Talk with co-workers and friends about your experience. It’s all about learning about actions, big and small, that  we can take to make life more sustainable.

More info and ideas to get you started are at http://catamountecochallenge.wordpress.com. Register your challenge at that site and at the Market (poster in Aisle 2). Celebrate Earth Day with action!

Chocolate for Easter! South Royalton-based Chocolate Moose is back in production with chocolate ducks, frogs, and bunnies on tractors, speedboats, and motor cycles. We’re also well stocked with Champlain Chocolates, seasonal greeting cards (including some by cashier Kristen Johnson), and caramel, mint, and chocolate eggs in the Bulk Department. Dark, milk, and white chocolate, conventional, organic, free-trade–we have an assortment of everything! Not a fan of chocolate? Look for fresh organic pears, strawberries, and Gala apples, kiwi fruit, or dried organic mango slices. And remember–we’re closed on Easter Day!