Though the vendors have long packed up and the tents have come down, the inaugural Starbuck Vintage & Artisan Market is still bringing the community together, this time in support of the market’s first nonprofit donation award that was given to Lowry’s Discovery Days Preschool. The hope for the market is to sponsor a different local nonprofit each year with the profits made at the event. Donating their time this past August, parents and preschoolers were scooting in and out of shops, offering to carry newfound treasure to shoppers’ cars, checking in to confirm any questions visitors might have and manning the Starbuck Chamber table. 

  The market co-founder Rita Larson, event organizer Joyce Blair and chamber president Karen Tharaldson recently presented Ashley Bennett and Carla Lundblad with a check from the market’s proceeds. “We had so much fun seeing our incredible vintage folks, artisans and food vendors come together to create the beautiful spread that was the Market,” Larson shared, “and when the families volunteered to help out it was another layer of the can-do, community spirit that we see so often in Pope County.”

The children at Discovery Days are quite accustomed to being an active part of the community. The unique preschool education focuses on outdoor learning and community partnerships. The small class sizes allow for regular field trips with recent visits to the Rainbow Rider garage, Stivland Gardens, Glacial Lakes State Park and Kensington Runestone Park.

The focus on outdoor education means students are incorporating learning into their play. “The kids are outside everyday—unless there is a blizzard,” says parent and board member Katie Nichtern. “The emphasis on learning outside and learning by doing teaches the students critical thinking skills and there is a strong emphasis on problem solving.” Readers can learn more about experiential education at Discovery Days Preschool at lowrydiscoverydayspreschool.com.

The Starbuck Vintage & Artisan Market will be back for its second year in 2023. The unique showcase for vintage dealers, artisans and food vendors drew sellers and shoppers from every corner of West Central Minnesota and plans to return to the western shores of Lake Minnewaska the first weekend in August.