06/18/2026
🌿💚 A "Little" Update From On The Banks Refillery 💚🌿
First, some good news! 🎉
After running 3 full days on our temporary electrical source without any issues, we're comfortable returning to our regular summer hours!
🕘 Tuesday – Saturday
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thank you all for your patience while we've worked through the electrical challenges. It has certainly been a journey, and your continued support has meant more than you know. ❤️
Now I'd like to share something a little more personal.
As many of you know, my heart is with my love, Ken. ❤️ Earlier this spring, during maple syrup season, he had a quad accident that left him with a broken collarbone and every rib broken on the one side. It was one of the scariest moments ever but like a cowboy….he rode through the pain, but……during the testing that followed, doctors discovered something we did not expect—early-stage 3 small cell lung carcinoma.
As frightening as those words are, we're choosing to see God's hand even in this. Had the accident never happened, we may not have found it this early.
We are standing shoulder to shoulder, rooted firmly in our faith, believing that God is bigger than IT. 🙏❤️ We know this will be a battle, but we also believe healing is coming. We are headed to Minnesota to see some of the best doctors in the country, we are also working with U of M, and continuing to make our changes at home to live an even cleaner non toxic life. Please pray for their guidance and wisdom in Ken's case. We appreciate every prayer, every encouraging word, and every bit of love you've already shown us.
Because of this, my time and energy will be focused where it belongs—for however long it takes—helping Ken fight this battle.
With all that being said.......I have an idea. 😊
You know the saying, "It takes a village?"
Well...what if we built an On The Banks Village? 🌿🐝🌱
I'm not exactly sure what it could look like but I'm excited enough to throw it out there.
This wouldn't be a traditional job or volunteer position. Instead, I'm thinking about creating a barter team—people who want to learn, grow, share skills, and help keep On The Banks moving forward while earning products, herbs, classes, or other OTB goodies in return.
No experience is necessary...just a willingness to learn, work, and have a passion for what we're building together.
Some of the things OTB could use help with ATM include:
🌿 Foraging
🌾 Harvesting herbs
💧 Washing & hanging herbs to dry
🪴 Garden maintenance & harvesting
🏡 Organizing the new dry shop and greenhouse (finally...we're pouring the concrete tomorrow! 🙌)
🔧 A handy person who can change the pull cord on my rototiller...😂 Seriously...ugh!
📚 Someone interested in helping organize future classes, workshops, events.....marketing ideas, social media content.
🐝 And honestly... things I haven't even thought of yet I am sure!
This little place has grown into something so much bigger than I ever imagined. Seeing so many people learning, growing healthier, and benefiting from locally grown medicinal herbs and clean products makes it incredibly hard to think about slowing everything down.
The entire reason I opened On The Banks Refillery was to create a local source of clean, affordable herbs, produce, and natural products for my family, my neighbors, and this amazing community.
I'd love to find a way to keep that mission alive.
So...if you have a few extra hours a week, energy, passion, or simply want to learn, send me a message. 💚 Tell me what interests you, what skills you have, or what you'd love to learn. Maybe together we can build something really special.
And before I finish...
I have to mention Whitney. ❤️
I never would have started this adventure without her. It's been one wild ride with all the mud, construction, electrical headaches, and unexpected bumps in the road. 😂 But I wouldn't trade this journey for anything...well...except maybe the mud and electrical problems!
Through all of this, watching her dream continue to come together has been such a bright light during some very heavy days. I couldn't be happier or more proud of everything she's accomplishing. She has some exciting things in the works, but I'll let her share those when she's ready. Trust me...it's worth staying tuned for! ✨
From the bottom of my heart...
Thank you for believing in us.
Thank you for supporting local small businesses.
Thank you for praying for Ken.
Thank you for walking beside us through every season.
We love and appreciate every one of you more than words can say.
Here's to faith over fear, community over hardship, and believing that even during life's toughest storms, beautiful things can still grow. 🌿❤️🙏
– Marta, & my love.... Ken
On The Banks 💚
