BELD Celebrates at the Farmers Market

Andrea Taber from Ever So Humble Pie Co. gets help from volunteer Jim Regan.

  The calendar is rounding the bend into October this Saturday at the Braintree Farmers Market hosted by Sustainable Braintree.  This is one of the best months of the entire year with intensely blue skies, crisp air and vibrant yellow and red leaves.  Autumn is the season to stock up on winter squashes, onions, garlic and apples for the long haul.  It's also a good time to make hearty soups and stews made with fresh local ingredients from the market along with a loaf of freshly-baked, crusty bread and a good bottle of local wine.  The diversity and depth of locally grown and made products at the Braintree Farmers Market makes this all possible.  The market will continue every Saturday through October at the Braintree Town Hall Mall from 9 to 1, rain or shine.  Come on down and support this locally cherished venue.

   This Saturday our friends at the Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) will be under the events tent as they celebrate National Public Power Week and have the opportunity to say "thank you" to their customers.  Over 2,000 electric utilities that collectively provide electricity on a not-for-profit basis to 43 million Americans unite for this annual celebration.  During Public Power Week BELD honors the democratic tradition of community decision-making and participation that led to it's founding in 1892.  Remember Hurricane Irene back in August when many surrounding towns that depend on huge corporate electrical companies went without power for several days?  Chances are if you are Braintree resident and you lost power during this storm it was out for only a short period of time.  This is due to the quick response and efficiency from the folks at BELD.

   This week BELD employees will be on hand to answer questions.  Visit demonstration tables and find out about programs that are offered through BELD such as their broadband services.  Smart Strips, an energy saving device that turns off peripherals when they are not in use, will be available to purchase through a representative from Sustainable Life Solutions.  Kids can pick up a hard hat and explore the bucket truck.  Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.  There will be giveaways and drawings too.  They will be serving refreshments from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.  

   Got books to recycle?  This year BELD is partnering with the Friends of Thayer Public Library and will be collecting books that need a new home.  Bring your books on Saturday and BELD will take care of the rest.   They will also be providing a safe and secure recycling truck that will shred your personal papers while you watch from a special camera.  Bring your papers with you-the first box is free.  After that a $5 donation per box or bag is suggested with all of the proceeds going towards Sustainable Braintree.  Now that's a great deal.

   BELD's Municipal Light Board Vice Chairman, Jim Regan, is one on the most dedicated volunteers at the Braintree Farmers Market and has been with us since we opened in 2009.  Jim arrives at the market location every Saturday to help us out by putting up tents and banners for Sustainable Braintree and our Community Tent along with assisting many of the market vendors with their setups.  When the market is getting ready to close Jim is the first one to arrive and assist with our tear downs.  Last week he stayed late after the market closed and completely organized and neatly arranged all of our tents and supplies in the storage area.  We can't thank Jim enough for the service that he has done to make the market a success.  We'd like to dedicate this Saturday's market to Jim and declare that October 1st, 2011 is Jim Regan Day at the Braintree Farmers Market. Thank you Jim.

   So stop by and check out all the goodies at the market and see what BELD is up to these days.  The season seems to be flying by so don't miss out on this fleeting opportunity.  See you on Saturday.