The Chamber’s most visible activity, the Alden Farmers Market, ended its seventh season on October 3.  It opened on May 9 and was our most successful yet.  Several new vendors introduced new products to Alden; leading to nearly one-stop shopping.  Craft shows and on-site “garage sales”  attracted many new shoppers and several crafters joined us on a near-weekly basis.  The Farmers Market is also known for a wide range of weekly events. 

Alden High School Jazz Band

The long-awaited arrival of Tractor Supply to the former Tops space in August shifted the Market to the center of the plaza; a wonderful problem to have to solve.  It worked out very well; especially since our customer base is so similar.  Through the Economic Development Committee, several Chamber members had been talking with Tractor Supply for years, so we are gratified by the store’s arrival.  While the change in the Market line-up created challenges for a few of the events, nearly all turned out at least as well as in past years.

Charlene Drogi with Felcor

We thank the vendors – and customers – who came rain or shine (mostly shine) every Saturday over the past nearly five months.  Many non-profit groups participated and added greatly to Market success.

Thanks also to our core group of Chamber volunteers for their valuable time, brains, creativity & muscle.  They include Gary Wagner, Earl Gillen, Bill Dabb, Donna Carbone, Barbara Hoskyns, and Skip Jablonski – who worked hard nearly every single week of our long season.  Many others also pitched in for one or more weeks and are greatly appreciated.  A special appreciation goes to the Chamber’s office staff – Barb Hoskyns and Lynda Tucker – for their great organizational and record-keeping skills.

The final thanks are directed to our several events sponsors:  Tops Friendly Markets of Alden, Alden State Bank, Carbone’s Pizzeria, Doritex Corporation, and Neill & Strong Attorneys.

2009 was our best season yet.   Let us know how we can improve in 2010!

Mayor Richard Kegler, Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst, Councilman Bill Weber, and Chamber President Nancy Hughes at the opening day ribbon cutting.

The Alden Farmers’ Market awarded an extraordinary raffle basket drawn on July 25. Through the generosity of local Alden merchants the Chamber was able to assemble this basket worth over $1200 which was won by Annette Forte of Alden. The winning ticket was drawn by Boy Scout Gregory Ernst. The sale of these raffle tickets helps fund the Farmers’ Market.

Though only one winner was drawn from the entries, all tickets were kept for a second chance drawing for an autographed Buffalo Bills football plus Bluetooth Headset and $35 gift card all generously donated by EA Wireless of Alden. That drawing will take place on October 3 at the same time the second amazing Farmers’ Market raffle basket will be drawn. Tickets for the second basket and the autographed football will go on sale at the Alden Pharmacy, Alden Advertiser, Carbone’s, Tan-fast-ic Dan’s, Alden Chamber of Commerce office and Farmer’s Market, on Saturday, August 1.

The Chamber would like to give a big “thank you” to the following Chamber members and area businesses for their generous donations to these baskets: A&N Automotive, Alden Automotive, Alden Bowling Center, Alden Pharmacy, Alden Pools & Play, BNH Auto Repair, Carbone’s Pizzeria, Cheryl Johengen (Mary Kay products), ChickenCoop Originals, Cooke & Steffan Attorneys, Country CrossRoads Florist, Country Living Store, Crittenden Presbyterian Church, Crystal Clear Pools, Debbie Specht-Gardon, PT, Darien Lake Theme Park, David Pajak Attorney, DeSpirt Mosaic & Marble, Doc’s Alden Liquor, Drogi & Sons Collision, Gillen’s Expert Auto, Greatbatch Medical, H&R Block, Henry’s Candy & Gifts, Hey Builders, James N. Foss Inc., JMS Design Interior Decorating, Joanie’s Chat & Chew, John & Mary’s (Alden), Kis-N-Greens Golf, Kotas & Kotas, CPA, LaPaloma Restaurant, Loren Hoskyns Bulldozing, Lumsden & McCormick, CPA, MaGavin’s Restaurant, NAPA (Alden), Neill & Strong Attorneys, Olsen’s Pet & Feed, On Broadway Styling Salon, Petschke Plumbing & Heating, Serenity Massage, Sitzman’s Maytag, Subway (Alden), Tan-Fast-Ic Dan’s Tanning Salon, Tops (Alden), Town Line Nursery School,  Town Line Pizza, Ulbrich’s Garden Center, Wagner’s Agway, Weber’s Grille, West Alden Kitchen, and Whistle Stop Inn.  

The Alden Farmers’ Market is located at the Alden Village Plaza next to the new Tractor Supply store and is open Saturdays from 8:30am – 1:00pm.

Call Market Manager Nancy Hughes at 937-0103 or nhughes@rochester.rr.com for more information.

Note:  Schedule of events may be subject to change during season

May 9            Mother’s Day Crafts show & Rose Society
May 16          Crafts Show/ Flea Market/Garage Sale
May 23          Crafts Show
May 30          Niagara Frontier Fiddle Club – 11:00 – 12:30
June 6            Alden High School & Middle School Jazz Ensembles -- 10:00 am – Noon
June 13          Cooking Demo – Health Systems of WNY
                      Daylily & Hosta Societies – Exhibits, Demos & Sales
June 20          Art Show & Exhibit -- Alden & Twin Village Art Clubs
                      Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest – on-site creative performance
June 27         “Silhouette” – original folk rock band – 11 - Noon
July 4             Crafts Show
July 11           “Stacey & the Sunshine band” – bluegrass oldies – 11:00 am – 1:00pm,
                      Alden Cub Scout Pack 160 - Bottle Drive
July 18           Magician, Ted Burzynski – Shows at 10, 11 & 12
                      Alpaca Play Pen (live alpaca animals & crafts)
July 25           Hot Country Liners - 11:00 – 11:30
                      First Raffle Drawing
Aug. 1           Village-Wide Garage Sale at the Market + sites throughout the Village.
Aug. 8           Health & Wellness Day (sponsored by Doritex Corp.)
                     Catholic Health System glucose & blood pressure screening + UNYTS – blood donor drive
                     And numerous related activities
Aug. 15         KIDS DAY (sponsored by Neill & Strong, Attorneys)
                     (kids’ booths, featuring crafts, lemonade, baked goods, music & more)
                     Perry Winkle (Perry’s ice cream mascot) – 10:30 – Noon
Aug. 22         Kickin’ Rhythm Cloggers - 11:00 – Noon
                     Pampered Chef cooking demo
Aug. 29         Emma & Carl Eddy (fiddle & guitar tunes) -- 11 - 1
                     Antique Appraisals by Randy Moyer - 9:30 – Noon
                     Meet the Candidates Day
Sept. 5          Crafts Show
Sept. 12        “Sheep to Shawl” -- Sheep Shearing 10 - noon
                     Spinning, Knitting & Other Fabric Arts
                     Alden Junior Girl Scout Troop 385 Can & Bottle Drive
Sept. 19        Community Organizations Day
                     Kutters Wine & Cheese
Sept. 26        Fire & Safety Day
Oct. 3           Craig Wilkins – country singer
                     Costume & Pet Parade @ 11
                     Raffle Drawing