PIZZA, CRAFTS AND LOCAL GOODIES

Vendors from around the region gathered in Clarence-Rockland on Sunday, March 26, to hawk their local products, crafts and food, and raise money in support of local sports.

The Live, Love, Shop Local filled the conference room of the RiverRock Inn with tables replete with local goodies. From beer to handmade crafts, health products, and clothing, the talent of more than 50 local producers was on full display.

Out front, Ferme Thuya was cooking up wood-fired pizzas using the produce and meat grown on Anne-Marie Laplante’s farm, feeding the hungry shoppers. The event, however, wasn’t just for the sake of supporting small and local entrepreneurs. A few hundred dollars was raised for the Rockland Martial Arts Academy through their basket draw.

Josée Courchaine and Chantel Cleroux run multiple Live, Love, Shop Local events each year in support of different local causes. In the past they have raised money for LGBTQ2S+ organizations, the food bank and less fortunate families.

“Everyone needs help once in a while and if we can do it and put a smile on people’s face then it makes us happy. I feel the community needs to know that there’s always someone somewhere that can help out,” said Courchaine.

Another market, the Spring Fling in the Inn, is planned for April 30 and vendors are still welcome to sign up for a table by contacting Courchaine on Facebook and joining the Live, Love, Shop Local Facebook group.

Marie Claude Charron from Fermette Voila had her wide range of honey on sale. - photo Joseph Coppolino

René Charron, propriétaire d’Edge Lumber, s’occupait des fours pendant qu’Anne-Marie Laplante, de la Ferme Thuya, rassemblait les ingrédients de sa ferme pour préparer sa pizza fraîchement cuite. - photo Joseph Coppolino

Plus de 50 vendeurs ont rempli la salle de conférence du RiverRock Inn, le dimanche 26 mars. Les organisateurs prévoient un autre marché à la fin du mois d’avril. - Joseph Coppolino