By Glenn Rolfe

MILLSBORO — Amid governmental signs the pandemic is subsiding, Millsboro Farmers Market’s season opener Saturday had direct COVID-19 connections.

Face masks, homemade by a Frankford woman adept in sewing, and sign-up for an upcoming mobile vaccination clinic were among the market offerings that augmented the other opening day offerings.

The market was the first of 20 to be held in the main parking lot at the Millsboro Town Center on Wilson Highway. The season is slated to run from mid-may through September.

Town of Millsboro Mayor Michelle Truitt is back as the market master.

“We have 20 confirmed vendors and more that are in the process of becoming vendors,” said Mayor Truitt.

A dozen of those vendors were selling their wares at the opener. There were 329 patrons.

“I thought it was a nice showing,” said Mayor Truitt. “It’s a good program.”

Additional vendors are expected to join this coming Saturday or in June.

Back for a second year was Lois Mumford with husband Henry Mumford. The retired couple from Frankford manned Alaya’s Homemade Face Masks booth, which offered Ms. Mumford’s variety of tailored face masks, including sports selections — NASCAR, baseball’s Orioles and NFL’s Giants, Cowboys, Eagles and Ravens.

“What started this was COVID-19, which I thought would be over by now. But I think it’s really starting to come to a halt. I know there are still certain places where they still have to wear a mask,” said Ms. Mumford. “I feel certain by the end of June or July there will not be a need for face masks.”

Thus far there has been demand.

“I took up sewing in school. I’ve always known how to sew different things — clothing, coats, whatever,” said Ms. Mumford. “When the need came for masks I hesitated. And then a friend of mine said, ‘Why don’t you try selling face masks?’ So I did, and did very well. People from Beebe Hospital wanted them, schools and sports teams wanted them.”

Ms. Mumford estimates she has made about 3,000 masks dating to last year.

“I’ll be there until there is no longer a need,” she said.

Mayor Truitt also extended invitations to the mobile vaccination clinic at Millsboro’s Cupola Park scheduled for Tuesday, May 25.
The clinic is through a partnership between Beebe Healthcare and Sussex County and its Library and Emergency Medical Services departments.

Millsboro Farmers Market’s vendor list includes Adkins Produce, Becca Payne (diabetic, keto pastries), Little Hill Flower Farm (fresh cut flowers), Millsboro Garden Club (membership drive, giveaways), Barbara Aro (candles), Lois Mumford/Alaya’s Homemade Face Masks, Lenora Berger (handmade cards), Reinke Farms (lavender), Little Biddy Acres (crafts), Jenna Zanetti (pottery), Shawn Ferrell (wine corks jewelry), Melody Bobbitt (baby supplies), George Rust (woodworking), A Taste of Jazz (prepared/catered food) and Kit Jaracy (yard ornaments, dog treats).

On deck, possibly soon or in June, are Rieley Brothers Meats, Honey Bee Lake Apiary (honey), VanAuken Fudge and Paparazzi Jewelry. There also may be another woodworker and vendors dealing in eggs, chocolate strawberries/cupcakes, nutritional shakes and dog grooming, training and pet sitting.

The market is looking for one more produce vendor and one dealing in specialty food items such as pasta sauces, jams and jellies.
Mayor Truitt said she’d like to keep market vendors “around 30 and under if we get that big.”