The Kuna Farmers Market will hold the 2008 season kickoff meeting Saturday, April 26 from 10:30 until noon at the Kuna Fire Station, 150 West Boise Avenue.

The public is invited. Coffee and sweet rolls will be provided. New vendors, not-for-profit organizations who would like to hold fundraisers, entertainers, shoppers, volunteers, and anyone interested in the market are welcome.

The Kuna Farmers Market specializes in locally grown produce, meats, eggs, and plants, baked goods, an select, vendor-made crafts.

Come and learn more about our new vendors, our expanding list of produce and meats, planned demonstrations, and events. The new vendor mentor program will be introduced. New vendors team up with experienced vendors to share information and best practices.

The Market opens Saturday, May 10. For more information contact Cheryl McCord at 922-5113 or visit the webstie at www.KunaFarmersMarket.com.

We at Kuna Chronicle thank Ms. McCord for providing us with Kuna Farmers Market information. Past Market articles can be accessed in Kuna Chronicle’s Community pages.

We are happy to publish community announcements and happenings. Website members may send us their community announcements via news@kunachronicle.com.

Lily Virginia was born at St. Luke’s hospital in Meridian on March 18 at 2:26 p.m. to Ginny and Kevin Eggleston.

She weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz and was 20 inches long.

Lily joins siblings Robert Eugene 7, and Mina Rose 2.
Paternal grandparents are Mel and Jan Eggleston of Boise. Maternal grandparents are Teddi and Skip Hyde of Nampa, and Robert and  Patricia Kier of Firestone, CO.

Great Grandparents are Gloria and Bob Eggleston of Buhl, ID and Bettie Perkins of Boise.

The poster contest is open to all school districts in the Boise
Valley. Home schooled students can enter through their local assigned school districts.

The age categories are as follows:

The grand prize winner will be recognized in conjuntion with the promotion of the Boise Aquarium and on the web site and the winner’s name will be on a plaque in the aquarium. The grand prize winner will also recieve a $2,500 scholarship, a three year family pass to the aquarium, a special “behind-the-scenes” tour of the aquarium including one-on-one time with the animal trainers, and a Boise Aquarium t-shirt.

Second prize winners (one from each age category) will receive a two year family pass, a special “behind-the-scenes” tour of the aquarium as well as one-on-one time with the animal trainers, a Boise Aquarium t-shirt, and recognition on the Boise Aquarium web site.

Third prize winners (one from each age category) will receive a two year season pass to the Boise Aquarium, a Boise Aquarium t-shirt, a “behind-the-scenes” tour of the aquarium as well as one-on-one time with the animal trainers, and recognition on the Boise Aquarium web site.

The entry deadline is May 9 and winners will be announced by May 28. For more information visit www.BoiseAquarium.net.

The other day I was driving on Deer Flat at around 3 p.m. The 3 o’clock school traffic was terrible and as usual, I was in a big hurry to get home.

I stopped at the four-way intersection at Deer Flat and Linder and waited for my turn to go. In such heavy traffic I always find negotiating four-way stops tricky at best. Near as I could tell it was my turn to go and I made a left turn onto Linder road heading back into the Kuna downtown area.

In my concern for the other cars I totally did not notice the poor crossing guard trying to stop traffic for a student crossing Linder. I am terribly embarrased to admit I did not stop for her. She gave me a look and shouted at me as I drove past–both which I richly deserved.

I pulled over immediately and got out of my car to apologize to her for my terrible oversight. She forgave me and I went on my way.

I felt terrible for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. But, the event made me think about the crossing guard and her job out in the weather keeping our Kuna kids safe and I felt tremendously grateful to her.

I want to thank that Linder and Deer Flat crossing guard and by extension all our local crossing guards who come out daily in all kinds of weather and all kinds of traffic to keep our children safe from drivers who are not always paying attention. Thank you sincerely for all you do in our community!

The Kuna Farmers Market ended the season on a wonderful Indian summer morning. The autumn scene filled with pumpkins, winter squash, onions, pinto beans, and late season tomatoes was a great way to end the season.

Colorful wreathes, baskets, and handcrafted items hinted of the approaching Christmas season. Shoppers found treats for all tastes at the Kuna Methodist Women bake sale and visited with candidates for the upcoming city election.

Thanks to all of the customers who support the Farmers Market. Thanks also to the Sandstone Plaza businesses for hosting the Market and for participating in Market activities. Thanks also go to the Kuna Melba News and the Kuna Chronicle for their support.

Finally, a big thank you goes to Sara Brosier for volunteering at the Market. Sara has great ideas, wrote several articles for the paper, and filled in as Market manager.

Although the Farmers Market is closed for the season, several vendors are still open at their farms. For example, Cabalo’s has winter squash, Vogel Farms has beef, pork, and gifts. Vogel Farms is expanding its operation to include a shopping village and petting zoo.

As always if you have suggestions for the Farmers Market, please let us know. For more information contact Cheryl McCord at 922-5113 or visit the website at www.KunaFarmersMarket.com.

We at Kuna Chronicle thank Ms. McCord for providing us with Kuna Farmers Market information.

The Market will celebrate the end of the season this Saturday with activities for everyone.

Choose a Pumpkin. Pumpkins of all sizes and shapes are available for Halloween carving and decorating. Stock up on pie pumpkins and a variety of winter squashes with rich, full flavors perfectly developed from the recent frosty nights.

Meet the Candidates. The candidates for mayor and city council will attend the Market on Saturday for informal one-on-one discussions with the citizens of Kuna. The election is November 6.

Donate Eyeglasses. Alisa Hedden of the local New York Life office is collecting old eyewear for donation to the Lions Club. The Lions Club will clean, repair, and deliver the glasses to those in need.

Celebrate Halloween. Dress up and join the fun. Kids can decorate their own pumpkin at the Market and seek out early trick r’ treats.

Guess the weight of the “Great Pie Pumpkin.” The winner will get to take it home. It should keep anyone in pies for the whole year!

Treat Yourself at the Bake Sale. Kuna United Methodist Women will have homemade baked goods for sale as a fundraiser for local community projects.

Shop for Christmas Gifts. Innovative crafters join us for our season wrap-up. Select unique gifts and decor such as Christmas wreaths, ornaments, and bows, toy barns, jewelry, beautiful woodwork turned on a lathe, fleece wear, tote bags, and baby blankets.

Market hours are from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October 27. The Market is located in the Sandstone Plaza parking lot at the west end of Main Street in downtown Kuna.

For more information contact Cheryl McCord at 922-5113 or visit www.KunaFarmersMarket.com.

We at Kuna Chronicle thank Ms. McCord for providing us with Kuna Farmers Market information.

This week’s Kuna Farmers Market article is coming to you from Sindelfingen, Germany. I am on a business trip with HP in the city my husband Bill and I lived in five years ago. This visit brings back many fond memories of the city we consier our international sister city to Kuna.

Sindelfingen, population 60,000, holds a small-town appeal with its quaint neighborhoods, small shops, and gathering places. Homes constructed of concrete and red-tile roofs are decorated with window boxes of blooming geraniums.

Most homes are apartments with three or four stories providing living space for a family on each floor. Homes are close together with very small yards. Streets are quite narrow. The density of the city is intentional as fields and forests are protected open spaces for agriculture and public enjoyment. Pedestrian and biking areas are prominently designated throughout the city. Bicycle paths wind through fields and forests to hidden places such as Esselmuhle, a small farm, restaurant, and shop that specializes in fresh produce from the garden and bread made from th eflour ground at its old water-powered mill.

Much of our inspiration for the Kuna Farmers Market stems from the weekly Markt on the MarktPlatz in old downtown Sindelfingen. Each Saturday we gathered our shopping bags and rode our bikes a few kilometers to the bustling market that began at 7 a.m. Vendors specialized in local fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish, eggs, herbs and spices, and fresh cut flowers. Other vendors filled in with citrus and produce not available locally or in the off-season. We looked forward to the friendly greetings from the vendors who were always patient with our elementary German communications.

Small-town Sindelfingen co-exists with modern industry in the area and benefits greatly from major international businesses. Daimler-Chrysler is a Mercedes car factory that builds hundreds of cars per day starting from huge rolls of sheet metal. High tech businesses such as HP, Phillips, IBM, and Siemens also provide employment in the area.

The signs of fall are appearing around the city. The leaves are just beginning to show hues of yellow, red, and orange. Pumpkins and squashes are piled near the pathway next to a corn field. The circus is set up on the corner of an empty field. Two large tents are surrounded by many wooden wagons that provide transportation and living space for entourage including the staff, clowns, acrobats, and other performers such as the double-hump camels, elephants, and well-trained goats that climb stairs.

At the Kuna Farmers Market this week fall produce is arriving. Neal Durham will have a good selection of apples, peaches, and concord grapes that are great for juice and jelly.

Next week on Sept. 29, the market will celebrate a bit of Germany with Oktoberfest at the Market. Watch for more information next week.

Upcoming Market Events:
Sept. 29 - Oktoberfest at the Market with Edelweiss Dancers and Wood’n Hearts Square Dancers (extended hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Oct. 6 - Heatherwood Swingers
Oct. 13 Christmas in October and Elvis
Oct. 20 - Christmas in October
Oct. 27 - Meet the Candidates, Halloween

Market hours are from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October 27. The Market is located in the Sandstone Plaza parking lot at the west end of Main Street in downtown Kuna.

For more information contact Cheryl McCord at 922-5113 or visit www.KunaFarmersMarket.com.

We at Kuna Chronicle thank Ms. McCord for providing us with Kuna Farmers Market information.

Rachelle Roberson (pictured left) graduated high school and has been accepted to the Vineyard College of Mission this fall. She will receive academic and leadership training, participate in work of the local church, and serve a mission in Zambia. Roberson and her mother, Dian, were regular vendors at last year’s market.

In order to raise funds for tuition and mission travel Roberson is working two jobs and helping her mother, Dian Roberson, with Hometown Harvest which provides weekly vegetables to 20 families who subscribe for the service. Stop by the Market, say hello to Rachelle and learn more about her exciting adventure.

Fresh produce at the Market this week includes: peaches, nectarines, green beans, blackberries, Bodacious and Ambrosia sweet corn, tomatoes, pickling cucumbers, peppers, zucchinis, pattypan squashes, watermelon, and cantaloupe.

Market hours are from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October 27. The Market is located in the Sandstone Plaza parking lot at the west end of Main Street in downtown Kuna.

For more information, contact Cheryl McCord at 922-5113 or visit www.KunaFarmersMarket.com.

We at Kuna Chronicle thank Ms. McCord for providing us with Kuna Farmers Market information.

The public is cordially invited to attend the next meting on the proposed Kuna Community Swimming Pool Project. You don’t have to be an adult to get involved. We welcome everyone! If you would like to see Kuna get a community swimming pool, we need your voice. This project is for a swimming pool for you, the members of our community. This project requires a team effort. If you want it to happen, your involvement is paramount. Please join us at the Kuna Library, in the large meeting room, on Wednesday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Thank you,
Lucy Lueddeke
lucylue@ihot.com

For more info on the Kuna pool project go here.

Please join us at the Kuna Library large meeting room on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please call Mike at 208-631-8990, Betty Hill at 208-890-9292, or Lucy at 208-631-4062.

Read more about the Kuna Community Pool project here.

If you have community stories, happenings or events please submit them via news@kunachronicle.com.