Messenger photos by Dedra Cordle The Westgate Farmers Market hosted its last event of the year on Nov. 19. Although the temperatures were low and the wind was on the wrong side of pleasant, dozens of vendors and residents throughout the area made the trip to its location on West Broad Street to snap up some late season produce, browse for holiday gifts for family, friends, and themselves, and make conversation around a fire pit about how they could not wait to come back to the market for their next scheduled event on May 20, 2023. Here, David Queen warms up his hands by the fire pit. This year marked the first time a warming station had been placed on the grounds for the final market of the season. Members of the market’s board of directors said its popularity would make it an annual fixture at the event late in the year.Local resident Andrew Picklesimer and his dog, Ollie, came dressed for the cold temperatures.Members of the Westgate Farmers Market Board of Directors celebrate another successful season. Pictured from left to right are David Householder, Matt Smith, Molly Donavan, Brian Landers, and Kristina Rowson.The Cookie Monster and Santa Claus (aka Deb and Jim Hearns) showcase a few of the desserts at their booth, Deb’s Designer Cookies.Westside resident Alexandria Ottney uses fresh and dried flowers to make colorful arrangements for her new venture, Sweet Blossom Floral. She said she started the business nearly three years ago after she received an “unexpectedly positive” reception to the wreaths and other arrangements she made for a Mother’s Day Fundraiser. “I never thought I would ever do something like this but it has been very awesome and rewarding, to say the least.”Cricket enjoys a yummy chicken feet treat purchased by her human. The 12-year-old “pure mutt” was incredibly thankful for the snack.
