Peters Creek farmers’ market offers something for everyone

CHUGIAK — Everyone likes something different. Jason Brown of Chugiak is sweet on Seldovitsch Family Farm’s sweet turnips.

Brown stopped at Peter's Creek Farmers Market and Crafts for a handful of the large round vegetables, supplied by the Palmer farm.

Otherwise known as snow apples, Brown planned on eating the white turnips with pickled sausage.

For those not partial to root vegetables, the farmers market, held in the parking lot of Chugiak’s American Legion Post 33 every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., had other options.

Catherine Yang of Catherine’s Cupcakes lined her shelves with cream-filled delights. The Palmer resident, who sells gourmet cupcakes out of her pastry trailer, offers a new flavor each week. She uses local ingredients when possible, including purple carrots for a colorful carrot cake.

“We’re famous for our minis,” Yang said as she sold her most popular flavor, salted caramel.

Susan Boarland was peddling dandelion and fireweed jellies, quail eggs and doll-sized kuspuks. Her tables were covered with stacks of thick, bright pot holders. After getting burned with store bought holders, Boarland decided to take matters into her own hands. (Pun intended.)

“I thought, I’ve been a seamstress all my life. I can do better,” she said.

Cynthia Darosett of Cynthia’s Inspirations, displayed two tiers of handmade jewelry, including rosaries.

“I do a lot of custom earrings,” Darosett said. “It’s a blast. I love to be creative.”

The “Angry Hippy,” Steve Tracy of Chugiak, was all smiles as customers sampled his salsas. He perfected his salsa recipes after years of office potlucks. Tracy, who works most of the local farmers markets, is in the process of outfitting a food truck.

“We’re all family,” he said gesturing to the other vendors as Sue Lee of the neighboring restaurant, Fried Rice Express, passed out crab rangoons.

Next to the salsa aficionado was the fossil man. Michael McMartin, a fourth generation fossil hunter, recently retired and started to sell his collection at the markets.

“You only need so many crocodile skulls,” he explained.

Kenneth McKenzie, retired bus driver and minister of 30 years, sat by his long-time friend, McMartin. McKenzie was doling out balloons - and personality.

“The entertainment is free,” he joked.

Rebekah Gomez, a Young Living distributor, demonstrated all-natural herbal products.

She recommended an essential oil mix meant to calm babies. Her own baby, 3-month-old Rhett, will be starting daycare soon when Gomez returns to work. Gomez was apprehensive.

“They’ll use bleach!” she lamented.

Melinda Munson is a co-conspirator at Alaska Family Fun. Follow Alaska Family Fun online at alaskafamilyfun.com.