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Don and Sharon Stewart, who run Rustic Wood Stuff, sell their creations at the VFWÕs Tuesday market. They have been at the market for two summers and enjoy talking to people and seeing friends, as well as making a little extra money. All the wood they use is scavenged from what they find during their nightly walks.
Star Photo by Jill Fankhauser
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The sign at the Veterans of Foreign Wars market on Tuesday promised cherries and peaches, but there were none. Instead there were lavender-infused brownies, glass birdfeeders, handmade woodworks and a few herbs and vegetables from Wasilla and Palmer — all sprawled out in booths and tables in the gravel parking lot.
The market is in its eighth summer. It's been in the VFW parking lot for the past five years. The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce used to be in charge of the weekly event at Chief Alex Park, but it got to be too congested and confusing with all the traffic, so the VFW was asked to take it over.
The size of the VFW market changes week-to-week, depending on the weather and the goods vendors have available to sell.
Last week was the VFW's biggest of the summer so far with 17 vendors. Each vendor pays $15 per week for a spot and the money goes to the VFW's Ladies Auxiliary's charity fund.
“The money goes to scholarships, to sponsor the Bear Paw Teddy Bear Picnic and relief funds for veterans and families,” said the market's coordinator Lynn Mattison. “Last year we made almost $3,000, and that goes right back into the community.”
Vendors said they show up for reasons other than money.
Rema Cacino is a chef by trade, a new mom and a new resident. She moved up here from Las Vegas because of her husband's job transfer. She comes out to meet new people. She's come out four times since the market started in early June and brings her 10-month-old daughter with her on the warm days.
“I'm a new mom and I do a lot of baking,” Cacino said. “I like to get to know people and form new friendships.”
Her table is full of tasty treats, including butterscotch Rice Krispy treats, homemade chocolate chunk cookies, scones and more. She always has lavender brownies, her signature goodie.
Don and Sharon Stewart sell tables, benches and planters made from salvaged wood. Don is a recently retired engineer. He comes to make a little extra money to pay for new woodworking tools. The Stewarts lived in Eagle River years ago and now live in the Valley. They come to see old friends and to make a few dollars.
“If we pay for the gas and get a mocha,” Sharon said, “Then we've had a good day.”
Kirk Winter, who owns Alaska Coffee Roasters and the Wooden Nickel espresso stand in Eagle River, gives out free samples of his locally roasted coffee. He also sells coffee in 1-pound bags.
“This is the best marketing for my business,” Winter said.
Mattison said all sorts of vendors are welcome, but the auxiliary won't let vendors sell garage sale items. Mattison said she's impressed with the creativity and quality of the items that are sold.
There are several craft vendors — one makes birdfeeders out of different types of glass pieced together; another makes jewelry. There was also a hot-food vendor, a first for the market.
The number of vendors fluctuates and this summer there aren't as many farmers as in the past. One herb vendor said produce is a little behind this year, but farmers will probably start coming in the next few weeks as more vegetables are ready to harvest.
The market is every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. It will end on the last Tuesday in September.
