LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Container ships wait weeks in harbors to be unloaded and unstable supply chains struggle with broken links. During a season of gift giving, this can cause stress. Will presents ordered online arrive in time? Will beleaguered department stores have mostly empty shelves?
Turning our eyes to alternative local sources can alleviate these uncertainties.
Even in rural Lake County, shopping options abound, whether a family-owned storefront, farm, winery, craft fair or artist studio.
Farmers’ markets are another, perhaps surprising, resource. We currently have two in the county, and in addition to seasonal produce, both offer opportunities to find creative and unique gifts.
I spent last Saturday morning perusing stalls at the farmers’ market near Kelseyville, and I can be found most Friday evenings at the farmers’ market in Middletown. Both offer a variety of handcrafted items, from jewelry, birdhouses and works of art to soaps, candles, baskets and jams.
Local honey, baked goods and oils (both olive and walnut) are among the foodstuffs offered and make appealing gifts, especially because they’re handcrafted or harvested locally.
Cornelia Sieber-Davis is the market manager for the Lake County Farmers’ Finest market, and she tells me that this Saturday, Dec. 18, will be a special one themed for the holidays.
The Saturday morning market is now year-round and is back at the old Steele Wines facility on Thomas Lane at the corner of Highway 29 between Kelseyville and Lakeport.
The property has been purchased by Shannon Wines, and a major remodeling of the tasting room, dubbed The Mercantile, is now finished and also offers gifts.
The market is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is located at the winery’s side lot.
The DeJulius family, with a farm near Middletown, spearheaded the creation of Middletown’s Friday night farmers’ market, which opened in the spring of this year.
As a resident of Middletown, it has been a thrill to see the market thrive. It’s held on the massive lawn in front of the library-senior center complex on Highway 29.
I’ve so often reveled in the energy there, with kids running around, music, dinner options and the large number of vendors lining walkways under the oaks. With darker days upon us now, the time for the market has shifted an hour earlier, from 4 to 7 p.m.
This Friday, Dec. 17, is the last market of this season, but I look forward to its reopening next year.
What follows is a pictorial essay of the farmers’ market in Kelseyville to showcase the variety of gift items that were on offer there last Saturday. Some of the vendors are a constant presence, while others pop in on occasion.
The Middletown market offers equally creative options, and a few of the vendors appear at both markets.
Esther Oertel is a writer and passionate home cook from a family of chefs. She grew up in a restaurant, where she began creating recipes from a young age. She’s taught culinary classes in a variety of venues in Lake County and previously wrote “The Veggie Girl” column for Lake County News. Most recently she’s taught culinary classes at Sur La Table in Santa Rosa. She lives in Middletown, California.
Lake County Farmers' Market (2)
Ferrigno's
Denise Ferrigno Flaig of Ferrigno's Italian Baked Goods offers biscotti, cookies and granola at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville. She hopes to open an Italian bakery in downtown Lakeport with grab and go Italian food and is currently on the hunt for the perfect spot. Photo by Esther Oertel.
The Vollelunga family
Beard oil and hair serum made from Lake County walnuts is sold by the Vollelunga family of Lakeport's Valley Long Farms. Photo by Esther Oertel.
David Burger
David Burger sells handcrafted whistles, bird houses and jewelry at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville. The 1955 Buick Special accompanies him but is not for sale. Photo by Esther Oertel.
David Burger
David Burger's handcrafted pottery whistles are on display at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Kelly's Designs
Kelly Moe of Kelly's Designs talks with customers at her booth at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. She sells handcrafted jewelry and other gifts. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Kelly's Designs
Wine bottle gnomes are among the handcrafted items sold at the Kelly's Designs booth at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Kelly's Beading
Kelly Sullins of Kelly's Beading creates intricately crafted beaded insects and wine charms. Photo by Esther Oertel at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Kelly's Beading
This beaded dragonfly was crafted by Kelly Sullins of Kelly's Beading. She creates spiders, wasps and all manner of insects from beads, as well as wine charms. Photo by Esther Oertel at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Brooke's Creative Cards
Brooke of Brooke's Creative Cards is with her trusty assistant at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Photo by Esther Oertel.
The Woodpecker Bird and Bat Houses
John Hathaway of Upper Lake's The Woodpecker Bird and Bat Houses crafts charmingly rustic homes for flying creatures. Photo by Esther Oertel at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Photo by Esther Oertel.
The Woodpecker Bird and Bat Houses
These rustic bird houses were created by John Hathaway of The Woodpecker Bird and Bat Houses and were on display at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Aromatherapy & Me
Soaps, bath bombs, salves and creams were on display at the Aromatherapy & Me booth at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Photo by Esther Oertel.
The Pepper Portal
Travis Rinker of The Pepper Portal specializes in products made from the wide variety of hot peppers he grows; however, his booth at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., offers a variety of other gifts, from wood carvings to CDs of his music. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Yasmine, Ellie and Annika
Enterprising girls Yasmine, Ellie and Annika sell mistletoe, earrings and other gifts at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Edenberry Farms
Handcrafted balsamic vinegars infused with farm-grown fruits are available at the Edenberry Farms booth at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Yasmine, Ellie and Annika
Handcrafted earrings are sold by Yasmine, Ellie and Annika at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Art Delmar
Freelance artist John Tyler of Art Delmar sells a variety of creations at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., including jewelry, original photography, and acrylic sculptures filled with pebbles combed on Mendocino beaches. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Pendeza Creations
Carolyne Lwenya of Pendeza Creations talks with a customer at her booth at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Lwenya sells baskets and other handcrafted items imported from Africa. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Pendeza Creations
Baskets, purses, toys, and other items imported from Africa are sold at the Pendeza Creations booth at the farmers' markets in Middletown and Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Pepper Portal
Hot sauces and dried peppers are sold by Travis Rinker of The Pepper Portal at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Lavender Bliss
A wide variety of products made from lavender are sold at the Lavender Bliss booth at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Lavender Bliss
Kathy Harrell of Lavender Bliss poses for a photo along with her grandchildren at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Harrell creates a wide variety of products using the lavender she grows in her front yard, including lotions, balms, shampoo, bath bombs, laundry soap, and sachets. Photo by Esther Oertel.
Lake County Farmers' Finest
Real maple syrup from Massachusetts is sold at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., thanks to a vendor's family. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Dollar Mountain Apiaries
Honey from Dollar Mountain Apiaries is sold at the Lake County Farmers' Finest booth at the farmers' market in Kelseyville, Calif. Local honey from the No Bull Ranch is sold at the Middletown, Calif. farmers' market. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Lake County Farmers' Finest
Local products are sold at the Lake County Farmers' Finest booth at the farmers' market in Kelseyville, Calif., including Heidi's Hella Hot Sauce. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Eleanor and Michaela
Eleanor and Michaela assist at the Lake County Farmers' Market information booth at the farmers' market in Kelseyville, Calif., where local farm products are sold and a variety of information is available, including how to double EBT benefits at the market. Photo by Esther Oertel on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Edenberry Farm
Pauline Biron of Lakeport's Edenberry Farm presides over a wide selection of her handcrafted jams and balsamic vinegars at the Lakeport Farmers' Finest market in Kelseyville, Calif., on Saturday, December 4, 2021. The products are made from fruits grown on the farm. Photo by Esther Oertel.