Summer at the Market

By Maia Cullen

Every Saturday a fun group of people with a common interest and somewhat diverse talent get together at the corner of Menzies and Superior. It's the James Bay Market Society with their handmade, homemade and homegrown products.

The James Bay Market is fired and up and running smoothly so far. With the exception of the weather we have endured lately, all the vendors are having a great time every Saturday meeting with both locals and tourists, and of course mingling with each other. All the vendors are local; some are closer than others. There are even a few James Bay natives.

Sheila Adams has been at the market consistently for the past five years. She has served as the Chair of the Board for the market in the past, and has also been a member at large. As an active market participator, one would think the time she spends on her product would be limited. The opposite is true. Sheila takes pride in her Wisdom's Essential Elements body product line and boasts 25 "flavours" or soaps, 15 scents for lotions, as well as 17 different types of lip balms. The scents range from mocha to oatmeal, milk and honey.

Sheila's background is as a medicinal herbalist and for the past fifteen years has been interested in the healing powers and holistic remedies of different types of herbs. When faced with a market-goer with sunburn, Sheila is quick to offer her advice: "Lavender oil is a great treatment for sunburn. It helps to soothe the skin." Not to mention it smells great as well. That's one thing about Sheila's display; it draws the people in with all the delicious smells and beautiful colour combinations.

The Wisdom's Essential Elements line is in constant evolution. Sheila likes to develop new products and improve on the older ones. To see the full product line, check out her website www.wisdomee.com, or better yet, find her at the market every Saturday.

Another James Bay native who is found every Saturday at the market is Brian Scullion, honey producer. The James Bay Honey Company has been at the James Bay Market for the past five years. All the bees are kept in James Bay because Brian finds that the community has a great environment: "I am especially thankful for the very diverse plants, trees, and shrubs that we tend to in James Bay, it has proven over and over again to be very good source for pollen and nectar. James Bay residents have also ceased using herbicides and pesticides that kill all pollinating and foraging insects." Brian hopes to keep this company family-based. His son Joe has taken up a keen interest in the bees and the honey business, and Brian is pleased to think that the business and the bees will be kept in the family.

The James Bay Honey Company doesn't just produce different varieties of honey; it also produces pollen, wax and candles, and honey mead.

Brian finds bees to be a really good judge of character: "If you go into the beehive with a bad attitude, the bees will know. But, if you go in in a calm state, you can go about your business easily." Brian likes to sit and watch his bees sometimes. He says "so much can be understood from observation only." Brian attributes most of his success to the locals of James Bay and is very thankful for it: "I can't thank the community enough for its support for local producers. Local agriculture really does rock."

The 2007 market season is up and running and boasts many unique and one-of-a-kind producers and artisans. Not only are their products amazing, but the people who produce the products are just as unique. Join us every Saturday until the first weekend in October. For those who don't know where we are, you will find us at the corner of Menzies and Superior. There is always something for everyone, including special events once a month. Local is the new organic, so why not support your neighbours at the James Bay Market.