Local Businesses host after dark cannabis education event
By Darlene Mae O’Connor
On Saturday April 23rd “Jamestown Public Market”, in cooperation with Brigiotta’s Market and “the resource center” revived the “grow Jamestown Garden Fair and Earth Day Celebration”. With support from the Jamestown renaissance program, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church and sponsorship by: the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and the Audubon community nature center, 30 area vendors were available to share their locally sourced: produce, dairy and meat items, organically and hydroponically grown plants for indoor / outdoor décor, as well as, starter plants for growing your own herb and vegetable gardens. There were vendors whose offerings included informative materials about local educational and support programs and autism awareness. The cannabis industry was well represented; the early investors sharing educational and entrepreneurial literature. I found exciting clothing and luxury items made from plants and alpaca fleece in addition to organic and vegan items from teas and oils to elixirs and herbal remedies that were available for purchase. Even restorative and sustainable plants and their extracts could be found including tips for their best growing and harvesting. I even came home with a free bag of very healthy compost. My irises, hyacinths and daisies will be pleased.
Everything about the day was fabulous! I made new friends and met the host with the most, Linnea Carlson. Linnea, belied by her gentle demeanor, is quite the power house and the impetus behind the return of this year’s garden day celebration. As the director of GROW Jamestown/ Jamestown Public Market, the old is new in 2022! Having been the brain-child of the Jamestown renaissance committee, this year marks its first return since 2019 and the implementation of covid restrictions. I am so glad Linnea, not only initiated the garden fair revival, but she brought together the sponsors, the hosting establishment and the panel members for the “After Dark” Cannabis Education and Entrepreneurial Awareness Experience, held at the Beer Snob later that evening. What a great combination of people, places and promise! We, the people of this beautiful and brilliant city are keepers of the cultural light. We, together, own a prosperous future. What makes us unique to anywhere else recovering from the economic effects if the pandemic, you might ask…tree spirit!
We are a historically resilient and innovative community that has always been well served by our observance of the rich pool of talent and natural beauty we have been bequeathed. Our roots grow deep and they are often interwoven. When the canopy widens more are covered and a community flourishes. Our Mayor “Eddie” Sundquist, who said i could call him “coach”, is as determined to see our economy grow as he is to protecting our natural and human resources. He is coaching a team of leaders into the future, mindful of the importance of long-term ecological and economic sustainability and access to the development and benefit to the greatest number of citizens as possible. When we win as a community the “w” is that much bigger and sweeter! He’ll be cluing us in more in a promised future article or two!
I want to say a giant thank you to all volunteers, sponsors, vendors and attendees, some as far away as Arkansas, Denver, Massachusetts and of course Buffalo and a stray or two from the north country across the qew! The word is out, from the beer snob himself, “audience” will be playing this weekend in the beer snob’s new venue where our cannabis panels illuminated our understanding of the growing cannabis industry, pun intended.
In conclusion… I am glad to be home again and having been a few places i can easily see that the future of our “tree city” is in very capable executive and entrepreneurial hands.