Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:58:19 -0400
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: The Big Cookie Lady at Pittsboro Farmer’s Market . .
The cookies are big . . . not the lady that bakes them. She is Joan Thompson. I have been setting up booth at the farmer’s market next to Joan now for maybe seven years. She is always a tiny bit late pulling into her parking space- because she stays home and bakes right up to the last minute. Some of her goodies are still warm when she unpacks. I always look forward to the unpacking of the big peanut butter cookies! The aroma is almost overpowering. And they are so pretty- Always with the crisscross marks on top. All the cookies at one end of a table, breads at the other end.
It is really nice to see small children walk up with their money in hand and politely point the the cookie(s) they want. And to see a grownup standing behind the child, obviously letting them find their way in the world of buying and selling. Once they have decided on the cookie and point to it, Joan uses her metal tongs to pick up the cookie and gently place it in a small old fashioned paper bag. Rewarding to watch. The child usually acts as if they have been handed a treasure and they leave smiling.
In addition to peanut butter cookies Joan makes chocolate chip with or without nuts. They always sell out fast. Last week she had some hot cross buns for the Easter weekend.
In addition to the wide variety of baked goods, Joan has homemade pickles and preserves, all neatly displayed on table and shelves for easy picking.
The Pittsboro Farmer’s market is every Thursday afternoon 3:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of ‘The Station’ on highway 64 East (East Street) beside Kerr Drug. East of the courthouse circle.
N.A. Booko