The Meeting Place
Each Saturday morning in Peterborough, Ontario local people meet in an open Farmer’s Market. It is held outside during the summer weather and inside during the winter months. Local people congregate to buy from local farmers and artisans/crafters. People meet people. This happens not only for business but also for pleasure. The “streets” in between the venders are fairly wide allowing people to meet each other and talk. It provides a small town feeling for residents and their children. It is a Saturday morning ritual from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Mixed among the business folk of sellers there are a wide range ‘different people’ all trying to make a buck. One of the strangest was the dude holding the Canadian Flag and singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”. His odd shaped hat had many buttons from all over the place demonstrating that he was a world traveler of sorts. We saw him later in the day walking into a Tim Horton’s restaurant ordering coffee.
The ‘Buskers’ mix well with the stalls of farm producers. Three fellows shown in the photo were real good. The carved chicken dancing from the string held by the end of the one fellow’s guitar neck caught my attention first. The chicken was keeping step with the beat of the music played.
Old friends meet again at this Peterborough Farmer’s Market. Talk is as good as the produce. Easily exchanged and doesn’t cost much – except maybe time to stand and meet the old friends. It is amazing as well how many vendors know their friends walking by.
In one instance we were talking with a couple that sell beaded necklaces and bracelets. The man of the couple has just discovered that he has diabetes. As he and she were telling us the radical change in their lives another lady joined in the conversation about his diabetic conditions. She started telling her stories of how she has the same problems as well. No one in the small setting knew her – but that was okay. She was a market attendee and was welcome to share as well. That’s what we do there.
The most interesting meetings took place about knee high level. It was between the friendly dogs that came walking with their owners. All of them were on leashes and all of them were looking for each other. Almost every 10 feet or so you would see a dog straining at his or her leash to get to smell another dog. Nose to nose they would find each other and carry on a good sniff. Their tales would wag incessantly as they “talked” to each other.
This is the ‘rural setting’ that is making community more valuable. This is small town Canada. This the way it used to be. People stop and take time to give away their friendship. They spend what they need to and give away what they can. It is a marketable place.
Refelection…
I have thought often of this experience and wondered if the larger community can get back to this simple exchange as well. Is it possible for the whole city to do the same?
The street that I live on has been making an effort to do the same. We all make a point to talk with each other. There are no iron gates and security guards at the entrance to our properties. It is open and friendly. It is so different from other places that I have visited lately. It is not uncommon to see two neighbours talking in front of each other’s places.
When I spend time in my garage carving or even just watching TV – neighbours will drop by to talk. The open door policy that I have invites them to stop in. The other evening one man stopped in to share the problems that he has now. He is facing a cancer issue and is frightened at the prospects. Another person shared his fear of an upcoming heart procedure. In both cases that evening I encouraged them that I would pray with and for them. These are not religious men – they have deeper spiritual side than the religious. They need help and friendship at these crucial times.
How do you live on your street? Is your street like the Peterborough Farmer’s Market? What could you do to make it that way?
I have to run now. More things to straighten up in my garage today(day off). I have to get ready for more visits this afternoon and evening.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Mixed among the business folk of sellers there are a wide range ‘different people’ all trying to make a buck. One of the strangest was the dude holding the Canadian Flag and singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”. His odd shaped hat had many buttons from all over the place demonstrating that he was a world traveler of sorts. We saw him later in the day walking into a Tim Horton’s restaurant ordering coffee.
The ‘Buskers’ mix well with the stalls of farm producers. Three fellows shown in the photo were real good. The carved chicken dancing from the string held by the end of the one fellow’s guitar neck caught my attention first. The chicken was keeping step with the beat of the music played.Old friends meet again at this Peterborough Farmer’s Market. Talk is as good as the produce. Easily exchanged and doesn’t cost much – except maybe time to stand and meet the old friends. It is amazing as well how many vendors know their friends walking by.
In one instance we were talking with a couple that sell beaded necklaces and bracelets. The man of the couple has just discovered that he has diabetes. As he and she were telling us the radical change in their lives another lady joined in the conversation about his diabetic conditions. She started telling her stories of how she has the same problems as well. No one in the small setting knew her – but that was okay. She was a market attendee and was welcome to share as well. That’s what we do there.
The most interesting meetings took place about knee high level. It was between the friendly dogs that came walking with their owners. All of them were on leashes and all of them were looking for each other. Almost every 10 feet or so you would see a dog straining at his or her leash to get to smell another dog. Nose to nose they would find each other and carry on a good sniff. Their tales would wag incessantly as they “talked” to each other.
This is the ‘rural setting’ that is making community more valuable. This is small town Canada. This the way it used to be. People stop and take time to give away their friendship. They spend what they need to and give away what they can. It is a marketable place.
Refelection…
I have thought often of this experience and wondered if the larger community can get back to this simple exchange as well. Is it possible for the whole city to do the same?
The street that I live on has been making an effort to do the same. We all make a point to talk with each other. There are no iron gates and security guards at the entrance to our properties. It is open and friendly. It is so different from other places that I have visited lately. It is not uncommon to see two neighbours talking in front of each other’s places.
When I spend time in my garage carving or even just watching TV – neighbours will drop by to talk. The open door policy that I have invites them to stop in. The other evening one man stopped in to share the problems that he has now. He is facing a cancer issue and is frightened at the prospects. Another person shared his fear of an upcoming heart procedure. In both cases that evening I encouraged them that I would pray with and for them. These are not religious men – they have deeper spiritual side than the religious. They need help and friendship at these crucial times.
How do you live on your street? Is your street like the Peterborough Farmer’s Market? What could you do to make it that way?
I have to run now. More things to straighten up in my garage today(day off). I have to get ready for more visits this afternoon and evening.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Monday, May 14, 2007
2 Comments:
Hmmm... Is my street like that? No, and I live in a rural area. There are three homes on our street; we live about 500 feet from the other two homes. The other two are across from one another. I never see either of them. I wonder what it would be like to stroll past and talk, if they were outside. I haven't even met the one family. That would take me out of my comfort zone; cause me to get even more stretch marks! Hmmm… Something to think about.
By
Anonymous, at 6:15 PM
Our street is very casual. We visit each other quite often. We have been on the street since the beginning( 10 years) so we got to know our neighbors as they moved in. Some have gone on to other places and some have passed away. The new ones seem to know that we all get along well, so things have not changed. There has been parties for all and they have been well attended. I love our street. Thanks for sharing your thoughts because it made me realize my good fortune.
Blessings, Terry Manley
By
Unknown, at 8:42 PM
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