Eyeing the market . . . You think that all farmers do this time of year is sit around the stove sharpening their hoes and picking hayseeds out of their beards? Heck no! They'll be trucking on up to Shaker Square soon to give city slickers a few final tastes of the homegrown, homemade products that we savored during the summer run of the North Union Farmers' Market. Co-founder and board president Mary Holmes says she expects between 8 and 10 area producers to take part in the special Holiday Markets (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 27, and December 4 and 11, on the patios of Yours Truly and Arabica, on the southeast corner of the square). Goods will include farm-fresh maple syrup, goat cheese, eggs, honey, apples, preserves, and salsa, as well as dried flowers, wreaths, and crafts. Are you thinking "Christmas shopping" yet? (And remember to mark your calendars: The North Union Farmers' Market will begin its sixth summer season on the square on the first Saturday of May 2000.)
High tea in Twinsburg . . . Twinsburg's new Hilton Garden Inn (Route 82 at I-480, 330-405-4488) has started serving High Tea each Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the hotel's elegant lobby. To sip, guests can choose from a selection of herbal and caffeinated Tazo teas. And to sup, there's a nice assortment of dainty tea sandwiches, savory cheese pastries, crunchy nut breads, scones with thick preserves and jams, and sweeties like lemon tarts, mousse cups, and a variety of chocolates. Seating is at white-linen-dressed tables scattered throughout the airy marble-and-wood reception area or in plush sofas and armchairs pulled up to the fireplace. Tariff is a modest $5.99 per person; reservations are suggested for parties of eight or more. Plans call for continuing the weekly teas throughout the holiday season. But who knows? If the response is positive, the veddy, veddy civilized custom may be here to stay.
Elaine T. Cicora can be reached at [email protected].
