BRISTOL - Helen Munroe sits in a folded outdoor chair overlooking a small table peppered with colorful paper quilling creations, neatly framed and tucked away with inspirational quotes. A yellow-striped umbrella, fixed upright over the table to provide ample shade — and the hope of running into an old friend — gives her just enough comfort to make the hot, humid summer afternoon bearable.

Ms. Munroe is one of more than a dozen vendors who spend each Friday afternoon at Colt State Park selling vegetables, flowers, crafts or other oddities at the Farmers' Market.

Abby Voyer, 11, left, inspects an eggplant while her cousin, Emily Marino, 21 months, picks up a pepper, and her mother, Marykay Voyer, look for onions at the Oakdale Farm stand last Friday at the Farmer's Market in Colt State Park.

When Ms. Munroe isn't at the Visiting Nurses of Rhode Island, where she is a medical records clerk, she finds herself quilling. She uses the tip of a bird's feather to design and shape tiny colored strips of paper. Ms. Munroe then mounts beads and the quilled paper to frames, invitations and stationary. It's a hobby she picked up five years ago and she specializes in wedding invitations.

"I love doing it. It stops me from eating in front of the television [laughing]," Ms. Munroe said.

But it is more than her passion for quilling that brings this Bristol native to the market each Friday. She said it is the new friendships or the reinforcement of others that make it worth while.

"Two weeks ago, I met an old high school friend who I haven't seen in over 50 years. She turned one of my pieces over and she recognized the name. I had thought I recognized the voice," Ms. Munroe said. She has since moved to Warren and her friend now lives in Springfield, Mass.

"Since then, we've gotten together and renewed our old friendship," she said.

Pattie Marino returns to the market for the friendly faces and to spark a little excitement in her 21-month-old daughter, Emily.

"I have a little one. I like to come here to get her out of the house," said Ms. Marino, who doesn't know of any markets in her hometown of Seekonk. The Farmers' Market provides her with a uniquely warm atmosphere.

Emily immediately flocks to the chicken and rabbits, but Ms. Marino said she isn't here for a particular vendor. It's the acquaintances made and familiar faces that bring her to Colt State Park — despite a stifling summer day.

One of those familiar faces is Jennifer Brightman of Riverside. Each week, she arranges three tables in a horseshoe shape displaying an assortment of vegetables, potted herbs and perennials.

"We have our loyal customers that keep coming week after week, month after month and year after year. You form friendships with these people," Ms. Brightman said.

According to Ms. Brightman, eggplant and summer squashes are some of her biggest sellers and on a nice day more than 16 vendors may line up their tables for the Farmers' Market.

"I enjoy the camaraderie that exists between the vendors. We play nicely together — for the most part," Ms. Brightman said.

Sales not as hot as the weather

But business isn't booming for every vendor and some say not enough locals are aware of the public market.

Walter Papineau of Tiverton, is a retired third-shift supervisor at a wire and cable company. Now, he helps his wife, Barbara, with the family flower shop. This is his first summer at the Farmers' Market and his fourth trip to Colt State Park.

"You always hope you sell a lot, so that you don't have to load it all back up again," said Mr. Papineau, while shading himself under his van's trunk door and smoking a cigarette.

For Mr. Papineau, growing the plants is more of a hobby, but it is a 20-year-old business for his wife, who he does deliveries for. Mums are the hot seller now, but according to Mr. Papineau, not much else is selling at the market.

"You get a lot of lookers. They mainly come to look. They're looking to buy something for nothing or they're here to buy vegetables," Mr. Papineau said.

Spring is Mr. Papineau's busiest season, but will continue coming to the market through October. He just hopes that more locals turn out and business picks up.

The Farmers' Market is run by the Department of Environmental Management and is held in Colt State Park each Friday until October from 2 to 6 p.m.

Fridays with the farmers

There's something for everybody at the Farmers' Market, which features more than 12 vendors with varying delights. The market is more than a produce stand — it's a place where people come to support local business and meet new neighbors. Here is a sampling of what is sold at the market.

* Chickens and rabbits

* Squash, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers

* Dog bones and pet treats

* Paper-quilled crafts

* Jams and jellies

* Herbs and spices

* Flowers, house plants, cacti

by Jason Turcotte

jturcotte@eastbaynewspapers.com