Howdy! My name is Crystal and I'm a '28 from 1899.2 miles away in Fulshear, Texas hoping to study Biology on the pre-health track. Outside of being on the grind in my classes at Dartmouth, I enjoy dancing (poorly and with dance groups on campus), cooking (microwave oatmeal), and taking Buzzfeed quizzes to find out what breakfast food I am. While I'll miss Bucc-ee's and brisket from my native state, I'm beyond excited to explore all that the woods have to offer! Hopefully I'll see y'all around!
Week three of the fall quarter brings new friends, experiences, and memories! Unfortunately, it also brings around midterms, and after a week of studying that felt like it would never end, I knew I needed a pick-me-up!
A short 6-minute shuttle ride away on the Advance Transit shuttle that ferries between Dartmouth and local spots in New Hampshire and Vermont, (or a serene 45 minute walk), I first heard of the Norwich Farmers' Market through a blog post by Joanna '26. Back at home in Texas, I had been to a few farmers' markets with my family and friends, but I was intrigued by the regional differences (specifically Vermont maple syrup), so I found myself making the trek to the market on a beautiful Saturday morning.
My incredible view of the Connecticut River while walking over to the market!
Every morning for me starts with coffee and there was no shortage of incredible options. After strolling around and scoping out the scene, I ended up ordering a classic Horchattie, an incredible cold brew-based oat milk latte with cinnamon vanilla-infused maple syrup, from Abracadabra Coffee, a coffee shop located in nearby Woodstock, Vermont.
This coffee completed me. 10/10 would recommend. #goldenhour
A key component of the farmers market is its collection of local businesses and small farms that sell everything from herbal salves to goat cheeses and everything in between. Needless to say, I was over the moon and spent a good half hour looking at every stand, admiring handmade artisan jewelry and perusing the menu of an intriguing grilled cheese stall. Since it was my first time visiting, I had no clue what to get, but I did have a general list of things I wanted to pick up, including fresh berries for my dorm and gifts for my family.
And now, a breakdown of everything I bought (#haul):
Blueberry and cream cheese danish: Breakfast for the day, I made my way over to Umpleby's Bakery & Café, where I experienced minor decision paralysis as I scanned an assortment of croissants, scones, and savory pastries. The tanginess of the blueberries was perfectly complemented by the creaminess of the cream cheese, which all paired extremely well with the flakiness of the danish crust.
Handmade mug: A gift for my mom, I found the perfect mug for her morning tea at Susan Leader Pottery, where I was blown away by the attention to detail in each and every handcrafted good. It features a painted duck; I knew I had to get it as soon as I laid eyes on it.
Just a small sample of all of the whimsical pieces on sale, I was so tempted to bring back a mug for my dorm.
Black Raspberry + Ginger Jam: For my family, I picked up a jar of black raspberry ginger jam fromFour Springs Farm. I was tempted to pick up another jar of crabapple jelly for my dorm, but I'm sure that I'll be back next week for another chance to get my hands on it. (Also, by this point, my bag was starting to get heavy)
Fresh strawberries + raspberries: I have been craving raspberries for the past two weeks, so when I saw that 4 Corners Farmwas selling them, I immediately jumped in line. Right now, I have them stored in my minifridge, but they'll be gone by the end of the day.
My roommate and I are tomato lovers. This was euphoric for me.
So, that was how I spent my Saturday morning! The farmers' market has now become a key highlight of my weekends, and I can't wait to go with friends again next week!
As a second-year at Dartmouth, I've embraced leadership roles that foster community, creativity, and support! Here's a look at how each role has shaped my journey.
