Guest Opinion - Preserving History, Preserving Community
Preserving History, Preserving Community
By Elisha Greeley Smith, elishas@cfra.org
... editor's note, remember, on April 9th we will finalize moving the Blog for Rural America to the Center for Rural Affairs website - www.cfra.org
The Center for Rural Affairs often emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship in rural communities. For one rural community, entrepreneurship has kept the small town alive.
St. James, Nebraska was once a thriving farm community, but like many rural towns, found itself quickly dwindling. The town was struggling, and after the church was closed and the remaining building burned to the ground in 2000, the old school house and a few other establishments were about the only signs that a town existed.
Fearing that the loss of the church would destroy the community, five entrepreneurs -- Mary Rose Pinkelman, Vicky Koch, Jeanette Pinkelman, Violet Pinkelman and Louise Guy -- came together and purchased the old school house. With entrepreneurial spirit, hard work and determination the ladies renovated the school house and created St. James Marketplace. The marketplace now houses a farmer’s market, craft room, tea room, and a historical room.
The Marketplace provides a place for local vendors to sell their products and draws hundreds of visitors each year. Guests get a taste of local goods and learn about the history of early pioneers.
Not only did the ladies preserve the school house, but they preserved the rich history of that area, and they preserved their community.
Recently Readers Digest recognized the success of St. James and chose to do a piece featuring the marketplace.
The Marketplace will open its doors for the season on May 5. For more information on St. James and a schedule of events visit: http://www.stjamesmarketplace.com/ .
Agree? Disagree? Post a comment here or contact John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org
Center for Rural Affairs
Values. Worth. Action.
By Elisha Greeley Smith, elishas@cfra.org
... editor's note, remember, on April 9th we will finalize moving the Blog for Rural America to the Center for Rural Affairs website - www.cfra.org
The Center for Rural Affairs often emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship in rural communities. For one rural community, entrepreneurship has kept the small town alive.
St. James, Nebraska was once a thriving farm community, but like many rural towns, found itself quickly dwindling. The town was struggling, and after the church was closed and the remaining building burned to the ground in 2000, the old school house and a few other establishments were about the only signs that a town existed.
Fearing that the loss of the church would destroy the community, five entrepreneurs -- Mary Rose Pinkelman, Vicky Koch, Jeanette Pinkelman, Violet Pinkelman and Louise Guy -- came together and purchased the old school house. With entrepreneurial spirit, hard work and determination the ladies renovated the school house and created St. James Marketplace. The marketplace now houses a farmer’s market, craft room, tea room, and a historical room.
The Marketplace provides a place for local vendors to sell their products and draws hundreds of visitors each year. Guests get a taste of local goods and learn about the history of early pioneers.
Not only did the ladies preserve the school house, but they preserved the rich history of that area, and they preserved their community.
Recently Readers Digest recognized the success of St. James and chose to do a piece featuring the marketplace.
The Marketplace will open its doors for the season on May 5. For more information on St. James and a schedule of events visit: http://www.stjamesmarketplace.com/ .
Agree? Disagree? Post a comment here or contact John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org
Center for Rural Affairs
Values. Worth. Action.
Labels: entrepreneurship
posted by Center for Rural Affairs @ 10:26 PM
2 Comments:
At 2:32 PM,
Anonymous said…
Seeking million dollar loan for a dairy operation in Vermont. Victor
At 8:00 PM,
hello said…
We sell ray ban 2132 wayfarer Sunglasses Resin-tortoise/green hzxmwic into uk area, abusolutely high quality glasses online. Shop in our ray ban sunglasses store,Flaunting on each eye of the followers of fashion can be found with at least one
pair of ray ban wayfarer 2151 . They offer both sturdy and We are selling ray ban 3025 aviator Sunglasses Glass-gold/dark brown here.
Choose the Ray Ban you like for free.The cool and trendy ray ban aviator 3026 made by famous designer companies make up your personality. Nowadays, sunglasses with UV ray protection are Shop for ray ban 3183 polarized. Find the best deals on ray ban 3183 polarized , ray ban
and more on iOffer.com.Buy ray ban rb 3194 sunglasses. We carry a huge selection of all Ray Ban sunglasses. 100% free US shipping and easy returns!
Post a Comment
<< Home