Belville Farmers' Market, Ribbon Cutting and Llama Kissing

Have you ever been kissed by a llama? If not, you missed your chance this morning at the Belville Farmers' Market. SunMist Pastures had two very sweet llamas in attendance and if you were nice, and didn't do the dog thing and stick your hand out for them to smell (I forget why, exactly, but recall llamas don't like that), but instead speak softly and get close, they'll kiss you. At least it happened to me, and I saw a few other folks get bussed as well.

SundMist Pasture's llamas and llama wool products were just one of the features at the Belville Farmers' Market. Other booths had produce, flowers, meat, chocolate (!), hand made dog treats, herbs and seasonings, wooden porch swings, and all manner of great stuff.

The Belville Farmers' Market is one of many programs supported and promoted by the Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program (SENCFS). Check out their website at www.feastsoutheastnc.org. UNCW's Leslie Hossfeld is the Program Director and Jane Stiegerwald is the Assistant Program Director. Both were on hand for the ribbon-cutting this morning on the open field just to the south of the Olde Waterford Shops.

Joan Winkler and Jeff Chalfant's Choco Geo booth was a favorite. (Guess what they produce?)

Look at the size of these pumpkins by one of the booths.
Here's Tony Vlach checking out the dog treats for his beloved dog at My Porch Dawg.

Chef Skip Laskody, author of "Cape Fear Cookery" was in a tent with his "Gourmet spice blends for everyday cookery".


Jimmie Cooper's Paradise Swings are colorful and inviting.

It was early but we had music to dance by, or at least tap our feet.


The ribbon-cutting went without a hitch. From the left end of the ribbon to the right , below, are Linda Mehner, Todd Godbey, Belville Mayor Chuck Thurlow, Waterford developer Bert Exum, NBCC Executive Director Terry Grillo, NBCC President George Murray, Leslie Hossfeld, Jane Stiegerwalk, Franklin Rouse, Brenda Bozeman, Roy Lettieri, and Ken Schiess.

Mayor Thurlow is bullish on Belville.

Frank Williams, Todd Godbey, and Jeff Harvell.

Franklin Rouse and Frank Williams.

Gina and Ken Schiess.


Jane Stiegerwald, Terry Grillo, and WWAY TV3's Shontrelle Robinson.
There was one other booth with an interesting story. Ron Koster's Tarheel Beef Co. has prime locally raised angus beef. Unfortunately my photo didn't come out, but you can reach Ron at (910) 256-3234 or visit his store at 2107 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington.

So come out any Thursday morning to Belville's Farmers' Market. This is a great time of year to get out in the early morning and pick up some fresh produce and meet some great people. And, if you're good, you might just get kissed by a llama.