Jams, jellies and pickles at Bella Vista Farmers’ Market
Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008
BELLA VISTA - The youngest 93-year old you're likely to see, Helen Chenoweth, is displaying and selling her jams, jellies and pickles at the new Sugar Creek Farmers' Market on Benton County 40.
"I was at the Bentonville market on the square for about 20 years," Chenoweth explained. "I decided to come out here on Saturdays. This is just the second week for the market and the second time I've been here. I've sold a lot of jams and everything. Business is good here."
Her silver hair glistened in the sunlight as she mentioned driving down from her home in Cassville, Mo. Chenoweth, born and reared in Virginia, has lived in Missouri since 1958. Her husband died almost 20 years ago and she lost her only child, a daughter, several years ago, too. A staunch believer in staying busy, she gardens, cooks and keeps her own house.
"I'm alone," Chenoweth said," but I have a couple of nephews and a niece. I make it just fine. I've always loved to cook and I really like to make jams and jellies. I use fresh fruit. Peaches, apricots, apple butter, blackberry, blueberry and raspberry are popular. And strawberry, I forgot strawberry. I grow the cucumbers and make a big variety of pickles from bread and butter to lime pickles. People seem to like those lime pickles real well.
"Oh, I also make chow chow and corn relish. It's all fun to make and I'm glad people like it."
Sitting near Chenoweth and visiting with her was Tommi Carl. A Bella Vista resident, Carl said she became acquainted with Chenoweth about eight years ago when she frequented the Bentonville Farmers'Market.
"I met her on the square and fell in love with her and with Buttons, her little terrier," Carl said. "We've just become good friends. My whole family thinks the world of Helen (Chenoweth ). Holidays and Mother's Day I spent with her. She's a wonderful woman and she doesn't have any idea that she's 93. She's always working in her garden or in her house. Her house is immaculate. She just does everything. I think she's amazing."
The Sugar Creek Farmers' Market is just in front of From the Ground Up nursery. Lisa Young, owner of the nursery, said opening the market was in her original business plan.
"There are six acres here," Young said. "And it's a pretty, peaceful setting. I grew up in Oklahoma and remember going with my granddad to farmers'markets and feed stores where people would talk about their tomato plants and gardens. It was such a neat feeling and I wanted to offer people here a place where they could be comfortable and visit. Everyone seems to be selling plenty of goods. I'm glad we opened and we're looking forward to being here through October."
Sugar Creek Farmers' Market is open two days a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.
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