OTTAWA — The Franklin County Farmers Market begins its summer-long run today at 4 in the east side of the Orscheln’s parking lot, 2008 S. Princeton. As it has for 21 years, the market will offer fresh produce and farm items on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. However, there will be a huge change. Market manager Freone Hollinger, who was one of the founding members of the market and who managed it all 21 years, said now that’s she’s 91, she’s retired from managing the market. “It’s time for a younger person to take over,” Hollinger said. That means that tonight, she won’t ring her bell to start the market, as she has for the last 21 years. Since she’s announced her retirement, she said she’s been approached by several other people about the bell. But she’s hanging on to it; it’s an antique bell that’s been in her husband’s family. She said she intends to be a frequent visitor to the market. Since the Ottawa market started, farmers markets across the nation have become increasingly more common and more important, she said.
Wednesday, May 4, 6:30 a.m.
