SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Elks Lodge No. 6’s brand-new Exalted Ruler, Rob Moore, kicked off his first weekend in charge of the lodge’s social calendar as the ringmaster of a three-ring circus of events, all happening on Sunday, April 6.

The GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market (GHP) launched its fourth season with a 9 a.m. grand opening ceremony featuring Councilman Rick Jennings. At the same time, the Elks No. 6 Spring Fling Craft Fair showcased vendors offering Easter gift ideas. Additionally, Elks No. 6’s Sunday breakfast was served from 8:30 to 11 a.m. for $16 per person.

Robert “Rob” Moore, the lodge’s new president as of April 1, said, “Besides enjoying a great breakfast, it’s a great time to take a tour of the lodge and learn about the benefits of being a member.”

Moore, a 1991 graduate of Kennedy High, was in the Marine Corps junior ROTC at Kennedy. Growing up here, he was surprised that many community members were unaware that the Elks lodge had a full athletic department, including handball courts and an indoor swimming pool.

His experience as the captain of the Kennedy High junior ROTC drill team probably helped him as the ringmaster of this Sunday’s three events.

Moore was busy but he was happy he got a chance to thank City Councilman Jennings for supporting the GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market. 

“In 2022, as a City Council member, Jennings worked with Vic Cima and an Elk committee to establish a farmers’ market aimed at strengthening the community,” Moore said.

Cima expressed gratitude for the support received from the beginning, particularly from Councilman Jennings and his Chief of Staff, Dennis Rogers. Cima said, “Their efforts were instrumental in securing funding to launch the market.”

The farmers market opened its fourth season on Sunday, April 6, with a special ceremony featuring Sacramento City Councilman Richard ‘Rick’ Jennings. 

After his NFL career, Jennings served as a Sacramento City Unified School District Board Member. First elected in 1996, he spent 12 years advocating for better schools and quality education for all students.

Jennings’ assistance helped the GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market strengthen the community, Cima said. “The GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market believes the value of a life is determined by the lives it touches. If we desire to live purposefully and successfully, then we must contribute to enhancing the lives of others.”

As part of that philosophy, the GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market, as a community service, provided a booth to the 4-H Club.  Karena Crowley is the president of the local club in the Greenhaven-Pocket area.  She and her mother Mona were talking to visitors at the April 6 grand opening.

For the farmers market grand opening Susan Riddell arranged for the Celtic Charms Band to perform. The Celtic Charms Band is a local trio founded by Christina Newport in 2023. They play Irish and Scottish music.

The GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market switched from Saturdays to Sundays to offer a better experience for customers. 

The Nuno Family Farms in Los Banos could offer a better product to their customers on Sundays. The Nuno Family Farms could provide a larger quantity of their “very sweet” items on Sunday mornings, doubling the amount of fresh-picked fruits and vegetables available for the market’s fourth season.

Another vendor that had been at the market since the beginning was Sweetbriar’s Bakery. Owner Daniel Gomez started at GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market with just a table. Gomez was recently at the Elks No. 6 parking lot showing off his new painted van to Exalted Ruler Moore and market General Manager Vic Cima.

The GHP board of directors also believed Sundays were more convenient for families, allowing them more time to visit the market. Additionally, the new schedule aligned with the Elks’ Sunday breakfast, creating a complementary experience for attendees.

Elks Lodge No. 6’s Glen Smith, chair of the Elks’ Sunday Breakfast, boasted, “It’s the best value in town: omelets made to order, pancakes, French toast, waffles, toast, fried rice, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, and two pieces of bacon or sausage.”

He added that customers also received one glass of orange or tomato juice and unlimited coffee.

Exalted Ruler Rob Moore chimed in, “And I know it’s hard to believe, but all of that, with tax and gratuity included, was only $16.00!” The breakfast price went to $16 temporarily because of egg prices.

Moore had his wife and two children having breakfast with him before the GHP opening.

Moore noted that while the lodge frequently hosted multiple events, they were usually private rentals. He couldn’t recall the last time three major Elk events took place simultaneously.

Moore praised Pam Zanze, who had chaired Elks No. 6’s craft fairs for over five years, calling them “very popular and successful.”

“So successful,” Moore added, “that they were now both indoor and outdoor events to accommodate all the vendors who wanted to be a part of the Elks’ outstanding craft fairs.”

Zanze was especially excited about this Spring Fling Craft Fair as it took place just two weeks before Easter.

She had been working hard to coordinate the craft fair with the farmers’ market and Sunday breakfast.

“This was the perfect time for a spring craft fair,” Zanze said.

Zanze noted that they would, of course, have popular vendors like Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and Press-On Nails, but only one of each to ensure variety.

“These craft fairs,” Zanze emphasized, “featured some of the top crafters around.”