Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas from the Bradford Farmers’ Market!
The Dec. 1 indoor market had a Hanukkah theme, celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights — with blue and white sprinkles to decorate the cookies, a menorah, and traditional latkes, jelly donuts and challah (egg bread) at The Polish Baker, and an invitation to play the dreidel game, with the chance to win chocolate coins and candies.
The dreidel is a spinning top, marked with a different Hebrew letter on each of its four sides. ‘Nun’ stands for none, ‘Hay’ for half, “Gimel” for get, and “Shin” for share or put in, explained baker Ryszard Surdyk – although he admitted he wasn’t 100-per-cent sure of the meaning.
“My brother would play with me, and whatever came down, I would lose,” he said. “My mom would have to be there” to referee, he said.
Regular market vendors were joined by a number of crafters and artisans, offering gift ideas for the holidays, including Christmas decorations and stocking stuffers.
Cute ‘n Creepy Creations, by Celeste – daughter of craft guru Michelle De Gasperis – had brightly-colored polymer clay sculptures and jewellery, with subjects that ranged from pandas and Hello Kitties, to pizza slices, ramen noodles and knives.
“Anything that pops into my head to make,” she said. “They’re fun!”
In the foyer, Paige Walters dressed up - “Today I’m Santa’s Helper,” she said - to sell her unique crafts.
“These are called ‘Joyful Jars,’” Walters explained. “They are little Christmas lanterns… They look great at night.”
The final two holiday Bradford Farmer’s Market days will take place in the Zima Room at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library on Dec. 15 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will have a Christmas theme.
Surdyk can hardly wait: “I’m going to go crazy – green ‘grinch’ pretzels and bagels!” he promised.
