Sugar Grove using carrots to draw crowd to open house
Sugar Grove officials said they are hoping attendance at their seventh annual open house Saturday is better than in recent years when only a few people dropped in. Their strategy just may pay off.
The village holds its open house from 8 a.m. to noon at the village hall, 10 Municipal Drive, in conjunction with the first Sugar Grove farmers market of the season.
The farmers market will be right outside -- held for the first time in the village hall parking lot -- and will offer not only an abundance of fresh fruit but also fruit of the vine. Representatives of Waterman Winery of Waterman, Ill., will be on hand to sell wines and offer samples.
One can stop by to learn more about the Municipal Drive extension and then find a lovely chardonnay for dinner.
The village holds its open house to provide a forum for residents to learn about what the village is up to in an informal setting. The village president, village trustees and representatives of all departments will be there to answer questions.
"We want people to know we're not a scary bunch of government people," said Village Clerk Cindy Welsch. "And we want to encourage them to come and see the board every other Tuesday."
The board meets the first and third Tuesday of the month.
If fresh blueberries and a wine sampling aren't enough to entice residents, the village is giving away energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Village officials are also handing out information on the best way to recycle, how to build a rain barrel and coupons for $1 off on farmers market items.
"We're very excited about our first farmers market," said Pat Graceffa, volunteer coordinator. "We have a new farmer coming from Michigan with blueberries and strawberries."
Graceffa said 30 vendors will be on hand, about 20 of which will be weekly regulars. The other 10 will come occasionally, maybe once a month.
Honeydo Rentals of Sugar Grove will be there to sharpen garden tools. Shoppers can buy coffee, a breakfast item or other snacks.
The farmers market will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through October.