Stonewall’s Molly Smadylla has been sharing the flavours of the Interlake for more than three decades.
Through her business, Molly’s Creations, Smadylla sells a wide range of homemade goods including jams, jellies, pickles, perogies, perishky, cabbage rolls and kitchen towels.
The venture began in 1995 while Smadylla was still working as a school teacher in Ashern. At the time, organizers of local Christmas and spring craft sales were looking for vendors who could help attract more people from the surrounding community.
“Nobody was selling these products and I was already making them for myself, friends and family, so I decided I would put a table in,” she said.
What started as a small craft sale table eventually grew into a regular business. After retiring and moving to Stonewall, Smadylla continued producing her homemade foods and expanded to farmers markets and craft sales across several Interlake communities.
Today, Molly’s Creations features more than 35 flavours of jams and jellies along with a variety of pickles and traditional Ukrainian foods. Smadylla sources many of her ingredients locally and often picks berries herself in the Stonewall area.
Her jam selection ranges from classic flavours like strawberry and raspberry to more unique varieties including pumpkin, cranberry, pineapple and carrot, as well as creative combinations of fruits and vegetables.
Smadylla also offers both sweet and savoury perogies. With Ukrainian heritage of her own, she said she is proud to share traditional flavours with the community.
“I am glad I can do this and I am thankful for the communities who support me,” she said. “It gives me something to do and look forward to.”
Her recipes are a blend of family traditions and dishes discovered in recipe books over the years, each refined to her taste through decades of experience.
Production time varies depending on what she is making. A batch of jams or jellies can take a few hours, while preparing large quantities of perogies or cabbage rolls can turn into a full-day process.
While her production methods have largely remained the same, Smadylla has adapted her techniques over time to meet updated food production rules and regulations.
One of the biggest changes she has seen is the growth of her customer base. While many of her earliest supporters have since passed on, new generations continue to discover her products.
“I enjoy when parents or grandparents buy and share my things with their young people,” she said. “They know my products are better than what they would find in a store.”
Smadylla’s goods are made without artificial flavourings or additives, something she believes helps customers feel confident about what they are eating.
Customers can find Molly’s Creations at several upcoming markets. Smadylla will be in Ashern on Friday, May 1, in Fraserwood on Saturday, May 9, and Winnipeg Beach on Saturday, May 16. Beginning in July, she plans to alternate Fridays between the Stonewall and Teulon farmers markets and will also be at the Lockport market every Sunday.
Orders, including large quantities, can also be placed by calling Smadylla at 204-467-9798.
