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Cutler Flea comes to Broome County Farmer’s Market
Founder and seller Mimi Sprage said the market is all about connecting people with the past, sometimes even their own. Sprage said the Cutler Flea will return on the second Sunday of each month and will be following all New York State guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Organizers say the flea market draws sellers from as far away as Albany and includes everything from silverware to antique doors and sports memorabilia. “The younger people aren’t as interested in antiques, but then somebody will come in and say, ‘Oh my grandmother had this,’ or ‘I remember this from my kitchen,’ or, ‘I loved this’ and they put it into their homes,” she said. TOWN OF DICKINSON (WBNG) — The Cutler Flea took over the Broome County Regional Farmer’s Market Sunday, and instead of fresh fruits and veggies, antiques were on sale. 
Russell says he hopes to see that trend continue all the way through the fall. Russell operates the farm with his family. He says this weekend so far has been much busier than usual. “We were in the city and during the pandemic it’s hard to get outside and do things. But here, there’s a lot more space and it’s perfect because you can do it social distance style,” he says. “These trees were basically encapsulated in about two inches of ice, that lasted for almost forty-eight hours, and I didn’t think we were going to have any apples,” he says. Russell says this apple picking season almost didn’t happen, and not because of the pandemic. A late season frost in mid-May had him worried the season was doomed. “We’ve got a lot of fruit so I think we can keep the U-pickers going,” he says. BRACKNEY, PA (WBNG) — Normally, Labor Day Weekend is a ‘soft opening’ for Russell Farms in Brackney, but this year owner Michael Russell says it was anything but soft. “My wife and I started it, my kids are now actively involved,” he says. “We have about a dozen varieties here. We started out with ginger golds, macs, honey crisps.”
If you plan to head out to the orchard, Russell says the family just asks that you wear a mask and practice social distancing. He says with all of the land at the orchard, spreading out should be no problem. One of those people looking for something to do was Alon Shaiber. He came with his wife and children to pick some apples after just recently moving to the area from New York City. “We wound up with a fabulous crop, I’m not sure how it happened but it happened and we’re blessed, and I’m thankful for that,” he said. “I think people just want to get out and are looking for something to do, especially at the close of summer when you almost feel cheated out of going to do what you wanted to do,” he says. He says much to his surprise and much to his relief, it turned out to be quite the opposite. Optimum weather conditions in the spring and summer made all the difference. Russell says it’s not just the apples that are more plentiful this year, but the customers too. He says orchards like his are rarely this busy this early. That part, he says, may have something to do with the impact of the pandemic. 
Bradford County election officials say if a ballot is not in that envelope, it won’t be counted. Miller says they are doing all they can to make sure it’s a safe and secure election. After filling out the ballot, residents can send their ballot through the mail or deliver it to the elections office. TOWANDA, Pa. (WBNG) — The Bradford County Office of Elections is sharing advice on how to make sure your vote is counted following a state Supreme Court ruling. The court ruled ballots have to be rejected if they are not enclosed in a proper secrecy envelope. Darryl Miller, the election board chairman, says the county’s polling places will be open for people who feel comfortable voting in person. “If you choose to do an absentee ballot or a mail in ballot, to get that request in as early as possible,” Miller said. “Fill out the ballot and return it as early as possible.” 
BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier is hosting their 19th Annual Village of Gingerbread exhibit. Interim Executive Director Cheryl Dutko says there are a few houses representing Santa Claus’ castle. The organization says they are expecting more houses to come soon. The exhibit has about 30 gingerbread houses that were made from local families and students. “So what does Santa’s castle look like when he’s done delivering gifts,” Dutko said regarding one gingerbread house. “There’s a spa and a getaway cabin.”
Winners will be announced on the Discovery Center’s Facebook page. This year’s theme is ‘Your Home is your Castle’. Participants had to imagine how their home became their kingdom during the quarantine. The exhibit will be up until the end of the year. You can visit the exhibit and cast your vote for your favorite gingerbread house. 