Of peaches and pottery

Shoppers of all ages emerged from the Farmers Market, Wednesday, with bags in hand. Mothers held their toddlers' hands or brought their own mothers with them, and teenagers, now out of school, walked in groups.

From its opening four weeks ago, the Lampe Park Farmers Market has increased the number of fruit stands and merchandise booths from about 15 to 25. There are several fruit stands to choose from, and a Hawaiian Shave Ice stand is serving its icy drinks, now that the hot summer weather is here.

Gail Bonesteel of Minden brought her mother, Billie Binning, who was visiting from Orangevale, Calif. Bonesteel said she was looking for "anything.

"This is our first time (coming this year)," said Bonesteel. "I've been wanting to get out here. I've been here in previous years."

Coming from Sanger, Calif., 12 miles south of Fresno, was fruit from the R. Schletewitz Family Farms. They brought apricots, peaches and plums, and usually carry grapes, oranges and pomegranates, according to Ed Vargas, who was selling the fruit for $3 a pound.

The stand offered juicy samples of the apricots and peaches.

"Oh yeah," said Vargas. "We don't use any spray on our fruit. We use sulphur (that, he said, is washed off before it is sold)."

Lorraine Felix of Felix Pottery brings her wares out every Wednesday. She has a potter's wheel at home and makes items like pots, bowls, unique vases and "flower pillows," small ceramic "pillows" with holes in them where flowers are inserted.

"I've been here everytime since the second week," said Felix. "I'll be here until September."

Since Felix began working at home three years ago when she closed her Gardnerville shop, she has come up with specialties like special orders, offering birthday parties where children make their own pottery and selling children's personalized foot and hand prints at fundraisers, giving 15 percent to the cause.

"I'm just now finding my niche," said Felix. "I miss the people that would come into my store. Now I get to come out one day a week with my little studio and mingle."

The market runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays through September, in Lampe Park on Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville.

n Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.