By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

Jenny Chartier of Abigail's Bakery, right, helps a customer at her stand at the first New Boston Farmer's Market day on Saturday, July 2. The New Boston Farmer's Market is in operation Saturdays from 9am to noon at the town common. (J. Edgerton Photo)

The first New Boston Farmer 's Market of the year got off to a great start, thanks to its location and to the variety of products that it offered.

Melissa Harvey is a New Boston resident and director of the farmers. group.

"For the last two years, we had it at the 4-H youth facility," she said. "There was lots of marketing and advertising, but things never really picked up."

Now that the market has relocated to the New Boston Common at the center of town, the situation has improved.

"It's a beautiful location," said Harvey. "There's ample parking, and it's a more visible area of town."

Her husband, Richard Harvey, added, "The universe just welcomed it."

The Harveys sell homemade "energy cakes," called "Kizos," that are carefully crafted from all-natural ingredients.

"I love to cook, and I love to read," she said. "We found a great recipe. I organized the market, but I wanted to sell something of my own."

All of the merchants at the market sell their own products, including homespun skeins of wool, fresh fish and herbal soaps.

Jenny Chartier of Weare manned a table for Abigail's Bakery, a New Boston fixture for nearly 30 years.

"I love the new location of the market, and business has been great," she said. "I think it's wonderful being part of the community and supporting locally made products."

Abigail's Bakery has stands in six other markets.

"I started small, vending at several farmers. markets," said Chartier. "Now I.m working hard to provide several wholesale accounts with quality baked products."

Just a few booths away stood Allyn Way-Daly, who had stayed up until midnight and risen at 5 a.m. to make sure that all her products were in order. Her top ingredients are fresh berries and currants.

"Everything here is homemade," she said. "I make all of my own cookies, jellies and pastries, but my specialty is decorating cakes. "

Initially a painter with a fine arts degree from Manchester's Notre Dame College, Way-Daly has since shifted her creative energies to baking.

Like her fellow vendors, she agreed the new location is a huge help.

"It's just so great to see such a turnout," she said. "Last year it was easy to be passed by, and a lot of baked goods found their way to the Manchester Soup Kitchen instead."

Sierra and Chas Brookes are relatively new to the scene, but like all of the other merchants handcraft their own products and enjoy their own niche.

"We started last year," said the Wilton native. "We sort of honed our skills in Hawaii, where farmers . markets are an all day thing, then we came back."

The Brookeses sell soap and other herbal products for body, bath and home, and appreciate being able to market their products in the middle of town.

"The time frame, day and location are all wonderful," said Brookes. "Business has been terrific, and we've seen a lot of people."

Jeannine Kilbride is another merchant who appreciates the social aspect of the market in addition to the commercial side.

"I love seeing everyone and talking to people, and I love that we have such a great gathering of local producers," she said.

Kilbride perfected her recipe for organic soaps over the course of two years, and sells them alongside homemade cookies.

Susan Woodward of New Boston is a one-woman show, alternating between playing the guitar and spinning wool gathered from her own sheep.

"Spinning your own wool is very meditational and very social at the same time," she said. "It's quiet and enjoyable, yet it involves people. Kids love to see how everything works."

Woodward has spun her own wool for six years, and knits sweaters and puppets.

One of the favorite vendors was a truck from Sanders Olde Mill Fish Market, based in Portsmouth.

Diane Drake waited patiently in line for steamers and stuffed mushrooms.

"It's about time they put the market where everyone can see it," she said. "I.d much rather support local vendors, and this makes it much easier."

The New Boston Farmer's Market runs each Saturday for three hours from 9 a.m. to noon.