Grateful for the Season event was held the last weekend of October at Millcreek Common. This was to celebrate a successful outdoor market that will close for the winter. Produce was on display and for sale from local farmers. Makers were set up at the booths selling arts and crafts along with food plus there was a free concert from a Grateful Dead tribute band, The Pranksters.

The Pranksters play only Grateful Dead songs which was quite apropos that they performed on Oct. 25, the day that Phil Lesh, one of the original members of the Grateful Dead band passed away at age 84.

They started off with “Touch of Grey” followed by ”Alabama Getaway" and they played very tight. The Pranksters continued playing until 9 p.m. and their set included a tribute to Lesh.

“We are a local band and we are from all over the area. Only one of us is from Millcreek,” said Millcreek resident Mike Lookinland who plays keyboards and is on vocals with The Pranksters. Other members of the band are Doug Worthin on bass, Ron Reich drums and vocals, Rich Melton lead guitar and Kevin Gillars rhythm guitar. “We do one or two gigs per month and often at ski resorts,” Lookinland added.

There were lots of booths set up at the Millcreek Common area selling merchandise and food during the Grateful for the Season event.

Yuji Clay Studio occupied a booth with owner Sarah Rosser helping customers. “I got my degree in fine art and used to do portraiture and then started making jewelry for fun. It sparked this new joy in me and I was able to break away from the fine art mind set and make something that makes me really happy. Yuji is an homage to me and maintaining my creative side,” said Rosser. “Yuji is the Korean word for maintenance.”

With the weather changing, Bonnie Mackay, the owner of Bon Bon Black Sheep keeps busy as she hand crochets hats, scarfs, beanies and items to keep you warm. “I have been in business for seven years and I use merino wool,” MacKay said. She was working at her booth and had hand crocheted wool items for sale for just about everyone in the family including some adorable plushies along with wool cat toys.

“I adopted a cat a few years ago and I grow catnip in my garden and I was trying to think of a fun use for my catnip so I dried it then I made these little wool mice and stuffed them with catnip,” MacKay said. ”People love to tell me about their cats and they say their cats just love these mice.”

Lots of produce was for sale at the event. Chad’s Produce had a spread of fruits and vegetables to choose from which included strawberries, pears, apples and more. Kathy Torres has been working for Chad for three years now and said, “Chad has been growing produce for the last 30 years. He has orchards, greenhouses and he farms all of his land and even teaches people how to farm.” λ