<b>By Lanier Laney</b>

<b>Earth Day fun at the Port Royal Farmers Market</b>

[caption id="attachment_16225" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_1680.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-16225" alt="Kit Bruce, at right, heads up the weekly Port Royal Farmers Market on Saturday at Naval Heritage Park." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_1680-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a> Kit Bruce, at right, heads up the weekly Port Royal Farmers Market on Saturday at Naval Heritage Park.[/caption]

One of the few places you can see half the people you know on a consistent basis is at the Port Royal Farmers Market, which has just started its new summer hours from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Naval Heritage Park off Ribaut Road.  The summer favorites are starting to roll in: strawberries, then blueberries, melons, and peaches. Also squash, peppers, okra and especially organic heirloom tomatoes! Yum. Also the barbecue is great (and he also sells beer can chickens). And the Indian food is superb and can be purchased frozen “to go” to be rewarmed at home.

You can find many more organic options this year in <b>Kit Bruce’s </b>continuing campaign to provide the most Earth

[caption id="attachment_16226" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_1682.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-16226" alt="Selling plants and veggies at the farmers market." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_1682-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Selling plants and veggies at the farmers market.[/caption]

friendly (and best tasting) food that the market can find.  Also, the plants are great from half a dozen stalls including one that sells heirloom tomato starter plants for your garden.

See you there!

<b>Port Royal Soft Shell Crab Fest</b><b> </b>

I also attended the 11th annual Port Royal Soft Shell Crab Festival which was mobbed

[caption id="attachment_16227" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Soft-Shell-Crab-photo.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-16227" alt="Honika Plowdeniz sent this photo of her daughter Amanda Inez Ranger, 7, tasting a soft shell crab for the first time." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Soft-Shell-Crab-photo-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" /></a> Honika Plowdeniz sent this photo of her daughter Amanda Inez Ranger, 7, tasting a soft shell crab for the first time.[/caption]

this year in spite of the sky looking like it was going to open up and drench everybody any second.

The hardworking crews at vendors like Sea Eagle and Plums kept the lines moving as they dished up fried soft shell crab treats for everyone.

<b>L.T.’s Restaurant A Local Tradition</b>

Speaking of local traditions, I had a great fried shrimp lunch at L.T.’s on Lady’s Island the other day.  Tourists never find this place, which is consistently one of the most popular restaurants for lunch with the locals.

Each day L.T. (Larry Taylor) features a Lowcountry special, on Wednesday

[caption id="attachment_16228" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Larry-Taylor-of-LTs.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-16228" alt="Larry Taylor of LT's" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Larry-Taylor-of-LTs-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a> Larry Taylor of LT's[/caption]

it’s his famous fried chicken and fried shrimp on Fridays is a favorite. His burgers are known as “the best hangover food in town.” It’s no frills eating at its finest — just good food. The restaurant is located next to Buds and Blooms soon after you come over the swing bridge.