Ellicott City farmers celebrate the season at Wednesday market | MOSTLY MAIN STREET
A large farmer's market opens weekly on Wednesdays at the Miller Branch Library parking lot in Ellicott City.
The rhododendrons and azaleas are blooming, as are our irises, and the peonies are not far behind. Just as exciting is the return of our herb garden, a Mother’s Day gift to me about 20 years ago. I enjoy it more every year. My Master Gardener husband, Tom, does a great job keeping up with it, and miraculously the deer don’t seem particularly interested. So it was a real joy to make a pasta dish the other day, enhanced with fresh-from-the-garden chives, parsley, mint and thyme. The garden has its own calendar, so I wait patiently for the basil to arrive.
Another sure sign of spring is the reopening of our local farmers’ markets. There is a large one in Ellicott City, at the Miller Branch Library parking lot on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 30. The list of vendors and their products is impressive. Among them are Blue Gables, with seasonal arrangements and cut flowers, Boordy Vineyards, with local wines, Dimitri’s with olive oil and olive oil products, such as tapenade; Penn Farm and TLV Tree Farm will have seasonal vegetables, while One Rock Farm features fruit, greens, vegetables and herbs. Mike’s Gelato and Great Harvest Bread will sell what you might expect while the Tenth Ward Distilling Company will have spirits and cocktails and Sharrah Orchards sells fruit grown on their fifth-generation farm. Stone House Cakery & Café will bring sweets and Fairy Greens will have microgreens as well as edible flowers, non-edible plants and seedlings. Be sure to bring a tote bag because you won’t be going home empty-handed.
If you are in need of fresh produce and it isn’t Wednesday, the Breezy Willow Farm country market at the corner of Frederick Road and St. John’s Lane is open Thursdays through Sundays and offers a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as gourmet ice cream, baked goods, eggs, pickles and crafts. Also, the stand at Clark’s Elioak Farm opens next week, right on the land where most of the produce is grown. It’s open daily.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions and influence of AAPI Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.
We have a vibrant Asian community in Ellicott City and the shops and restaurants are happy to help educate people to their food and customs. It’s never too late to learn. I am honing my chopsticks skills by visiting the marvelous Niko Japanese Restaurant, on Frederick Road at St. John’s Lane. They have an amazing array of made-to-order sushi, as well as beginner friendly dishes such as chicken teriyaki and shrimp tempura. An added incentive to visiting is the opportunity to stop in next door at Elli Mochi Dessert Shop for one of their addictive Korean doughnuts.
Remember a few months ago when the four recently demolished buildings on Main Street were still standing and local artist Mark Russo honored them by painting colorful murals that brightened the otherwise sad structures? Well, the buildings are gone but the murals are still around for us to enjoy. They are currently on display in The Phoenix Upper Main, 8308 Main St. So, the next time you visit the restaurant, check them out while enjoying your burger and beer.
Ellicott City shows its pride in our diverse and vibrant community with Pridefest, set for June 1 in the historic district, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This event celebrates the LGBTQIA+ culture with music, a dance party, artists and games. At 1 p.m. there will be a Mascara Run pub crawl and at 2:30 p.m. you can participate in a water balloon fight in Lot F. The Baltimore Men’s Chorus will perform as well. For more information, go to https://visitoldellicottcity.com/events/oec-pride.
The Wine Bin, at 8390 Main St., is launching its latest season of free outdoor movies on Saturday nights. The offering on May 25 is “Barbie” and the show starts at 9 p.m. During Pridefest on June 1 they are showing “Tootsie.”
Send information about upcoming Ellicott City events at least two weeks in advance to janetkusterer21042@gmail.com.