Tiffany Pinkham (left to right), owner Kathy Abbott, Michelle Smith, McKenzie Searles and Stacy Martin, work at the Country Bumpkin Farm Market on located just outside of Phillips on Route 4. The women all volunteer their time to help Abbott as she works to establish her business. (Laura Dunham photo) AVON — Owner of the Country Bumpkin Farm Market in Avon and her volunteer help have a company mission, "Here at the Country Bumpkin Farm Market we will strive to provide the local community and its visitors with a combination of fresh, quality products and excellent service in the friendly warmth of an old fashion styled country store."

"We believe," added owner Kathy Abbott, "everything in life should taste this good, and we hope you agree."

The most amazing part of this store is the volunteers who come almost every day to help Abbott. "The amount of help from my friends and family is overwhelming," said Abbott.

Abbott said that her mother, who past away five years ago at 59 years old, told her four daughters as she died, "If you girls stick together, you can do anything, so make sure you stay close." Abbott said that her sister, Lori Farris, came all the way from Rhode Island to help with her opening and baked pies over the weekend. Another sister, Heidi, comes from New Hampshire whenever she can to give a helping hand. Although none of us were perfect said Abbott my mother always thought with four of us we were "perfect."

Stacy Martin, from Harrison, the other sister, travels some four hours to help out. "She's my chocolate maker," turning out every kind of chocolate candy you can name, along with chocolate-covered caramel apples. Martin is a blue ribbon fudge maker and has from four to 10 flavors on sale at the store everyday.

Then there is McKenzie Searles and her 14-year-old sister, Kennedy. "What would I have done without Kennedy who helped me after school every day to clean and get the store open," Abbott commented.

Tiffany Pinkham and Michelle Smith also pitched in, volunteering not only to clean but to make homemade bread, pies, cakes and even potato salads from the garden, which Abbott grows for all her own homemade pickles, salsa, jams and jellies. Many of these items are made up into beautiful gift baskets.

"My husband just loves all these new yummy things I come home and bake after learning at a new recipe at the store," Smith said.

Pinkham said she loves learning how to come up with different kinds of pies and was taking a peppermint one out of the oven that day and then covered it with whipped cream.

The restaurant is open each morning for a full breakfast for about $5 there is even the Lumberman Fuel breakfast that "features everything," for $7.95. At lunch there are always homemade soups, sandwiches and a good selection of "Heat And Eat Meals" to go.

There is also seafood on sale, including clams and lobsters. Abbott said that Mary Dunham had been very helpful in setting her up with a lobster tank. There are also rib eye steaks and pork loins for sale along with coffee, apple cider and sodas.

"We feature Longfellow Dairy Second Chance Farm products such as organic milk, cheeses and organic meats," said Abbott.

McKenzie said she was thrilled to learn how to can vegetables. "It's a lost art," said Abbott, as she looked at the wall full of homemade pickles, jams, syrups, apple butter, salsa and beets.

Not only are there meals to go, but Abbott also offers take-out orders of pies and other desserts for the holidays and will do hostess trays with an assortment of chocolates, cookies and the like for those who are going to a dinner party.

The Country Bumpkin Market is closed on Mondays and is open during the week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.