A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News May 16, 2005 - Residents, visitors celebrate Vesper By Beth Burger, Daily Tribune Staff VESPER - The population of Vesper got a little larger over the weekend as the community held a celebration, which included garage sales, a kids play area and a brat fry. "Everyone said, 'You wouldn't believe the traffic,'" said Ruth Cline, an active member of the Community Progress Initiative, who helped organize the event. Cars lined Cameron Avenue on Saturday, as people picked up maps to garage sales or stopped for a brat at the Vesper Fire Department, where Lt. Todd Eckes, EMS director, was manning the grill. By 3 p.m. that day, Eckes said he had grilled 520 brats. The Vesper Fire Department has six brat fries each year. All the funds raised from Saturday's brat fry will support the Vesper Community Progress Initiative. "It's a chance for us to give back to the community that always gives to us," Eckes said. Eckes said he hoped the village would attract more businesses through the money, which was contributed to the initiative's endowment fund. Cline, who has lived in the community for 58 years, said there were good reasons to celebrate. "We're doing this for two reasons: to make money for the Vesper Community Progress Initiative and to bring the community together," Cline said. Nearly 30 garage sales were included in the event, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. "For an area of our size, it's really great," Cline said about the village, which has a population of just more than 500 people. "We always want to do things the community enjoys." People had their own reasons for attending the event. Mavis Layton, 74, of Wisconsin Rapids read about the event in the paper and came to hit the garage sales. "I met lots of people who I haven't seen in a while," she said. "It's good to be out." Michelle Neumann, 15, of Nekoosa went because her grandfather lives in Vesper, and she wanted to check out the deals at garage sales, too. Neumann said it was important to have community events like this one to "get to know people" and for the community to come together. Saratoga residents Jerry and Rose Nash took their great-granddaughter, Nichelle Siegler, 8, of Rudolph, so she could enjoy the play area, which featured face painting, games and kites. Jerry Nash, 72, said he also attended to support Vesper's community efforts. Meanwhile, Nichelle sat having her hair braided. "Communities have to do this. They have to go into partnership and work together," said Nash, who thought the event was important because it brought people to Vesper who wouldn't be there otherwise. "We'll never get industry here anymore," he said. "In order for central Wisconsin to survive, we have got to get technology and tourism to get people in the area."
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome