Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • June 8, 2011 Ramsey After crowning five successive female Ramsey DARE Idol contest winners, Matthew Fowler has emerged as the winner of the sixth season. Months of exhaustive preparation recently culminated in one of the most inspirational DARE Idol events in history. Another sellout crowd was on hand to watch the sixth season of this regional sensation – and the audience expected entertainment. They also expected a show of pride, but no one expected the thrilling series of events that Ramsey DARE’s dream team had in store this year. Live audience voting was accompanied by live audience texting this year. For the Matthew Fowler becomes first male DARE Idol first time in RDI history, anyone with a cell phone could text a message that would appear center-stage on the huge DAREVISION screen. Audience members used the new technology to send supportive messages to the young singers. Laser lighting and illumination special effects bathed the audience, as bubbles fell from the catwalk above. Over 3,000 Watts of sound filled the room as the 130 proud contestants made their entrance into the auditorium. Amongst this incredible backdrop came the most heart-swelling opening act ever DARED. A bright-eyed, wide-smiling, 11 year old Gracie Brogowski took to the (continued on page 15) This year’s DARE Idol participants. The Ramsey Farmers Market will kick off its second season on Sunday, June 12 with a Strawberry Festival at the Main Street train station from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees may enjoy complimentary strawberry shortcake. The festival will be hosted by the Ramsey Woman’s Club and sponsored by Inserra Supermarkets. Music will be provided by Carolyn Messina. Over 25 vendors with organic and traditional farm products, artisanal breads and cheeses, gluten-free baked goods, freshly cut flowers, fresh fish, New Jersey fish, and other items will be featured. The market will be open every Sunday from June 12 through Nov. 20, rain or shine. Visitors to the market are encouraged to join the Pay it Forward program by dropping off non-perishable food items at a designated market table. Along with donated produce Farmers Market returns with Strawberry Festival and products from the vendors, all donations will go to the Center for Food Action. A schedule of special events, children’s activities, and musician performances may be found at www.ramseyfarmersmarket. org, where visitors may also sign up for a weekly e-mail about market specials. Organic Gardening magazine has chosen Ramsey’s market for its Farmers Market Tour. Featured will be live cooking demonstrations, tips for eating seasonally and locally, a gardening workshop, a model green demonstration kitchen, green living information, and more. For over 70 years, Organic Gardening has celebrated the natural goodness of food that goes straight from farm to table. The Ramsey Farmers Market is sponsored by the Ramsey Historical Association.