Historical marker dedication and first farmer's market of season held today
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

The square surrounding the Wharton County Courthouse will be filled with a host of activities this morning including a historical marker dedication ceremony for the restored courthouse and the first farmer's market of the year.

The market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon while the dedication ceremony is set for a 10 a.m. start time.

One of the highlights of the dedication will be a request for items to be included in a time capsule that will be buried later this year. The Wharton Historical Commission is asking for donations of pictures, papers and other items to fill the time capsule, which will be opened in 2058.

"I've been to the chamber of commerce and the schools and WCJC (Wharton County Junior College) requesting contributions," Historical Commissioner Member A.C. Shelton told the commissioners during their meeting Monday. "We can store so much material now on compact discs and DVDs, we'll have a lot of the photos and items from the restoration itself included. We're also planning on including newspapers to give people in the future an idea about the cost of things now."

Shelton said the time capsule, which will be about the size of a coffee can in diameter, will be vacuum sealed to protect the contents while buried.

The courthouse will be open for tours during the morning.

The Wharton County Farmers Market managers expect between eight and a dozen vendors to be selling on the square during this first week. Several will be offering fresh produce from various gardens across the county. In addition, there will be craft vendors featuring local produced items such as herbal soaps and lotions along with plants.

While filling the growing desire for fresh produce sought by cooks and homemakers, the farmer's market has become a social activity as well. In addition to the vendors, there will be live entertainment, a cooking demonstration and a "Children's Corner" with activities specifically for younger market patrons.

A seasonal activity, the market runs through July and then again in November and December.

The market managers maintain a market Web site that posts what produce and crafts will be available on a weekly basis. For more information, or to become a vendor, visit the site at www.whartoncountyfarmersmarket. com.