A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     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 July 27, 2005 - Vesper's farmers market blooms By Deb Cleworth, Daily Tribune Staff VESPER - Lucy Yang peeled a fresh cucumber and enjoyed the sweet aroma Tuesday at Vesper's first farmers market. Lucy, an 11-year-old Stevens Point girl, and her family were among about a half-dozen vendors and 150 visitors at the community's inaugural market. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Tuesday into the fall, said Jennifer Pfefferkorn, a member of the Community Progress Initiative Vesper Team Committee, which organized the market. Vendors from Stevens Point and Auburndale participated, but organizers hope to draw more local vendors in the future. "We just want to help strengthen our local businesses and economy, and get more people to visit Vesper and see what the community is like," said Pfefferkorn, who hosted a table with information on Vesper and the Community Progress Initiative. "The morning was really pretty busy," said Pfefferkorn, 35, of Vesper. A booth featuring Amish baked goods and preserves sold out of its wares. In addition to produce and flower booths, there also were vendors selling craft items like bird houses. Angie Krueger, 22, of Wausau and her friend Teagan Nelson, 8, of Marshfield stopped by the market at the recommendation of Jo Jo Nelson, owner of Jo Jo's Bar in Vesper. "I bought some beans," Teagan said. "I might just eat them on the way home." "I think the corn looks good," he added. It was the corn that caught Flo Halverson's eye. "I volunteer to drive some elderly ladies to the lunch site in Pittsville," said Halverson, 58, of Vesper. She decided to visit the market on her way home. "I stopped to get some corn for supper," she said. Lucy, 11, kept busy as she bagged the corn for customers. Her family also participates in the Wisconsin Rapids Farmers Market on Thursdays and Saturday mornings in the Rapids Mall parking lot. "Jennifer told us about (this market) when we were in Wisconsin Rapids," said Lucy, who was at the market with her parents. "We do our own garden," she said. The family had a wealth of corn, cucumbers, onions, beans, peas and kohlrabi for sale. Beans were a big seller for Yia Xiong, 28, also of Stevens Point. "We will probably try (the Vesper market) again," she said, adding that the weather was perfect. "As long as it doesn't rain," she smiled. In addition to the market, the Vesper Team Committee also will launch a Web site - http:vesperwi.com - within the next few days, Pfefferkorn said. "New people in town are being hand-delivered welcome bags," she said. The bags include coupons and information about the Vesper community. "People can come and play in the park," Pfefferkorn said. The new recreation center has new tennis and basketball courts. "People could come and make a day of (going to the market), if they want to."
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome