Over the years, my favorite reads have been those musings of Editor Steve Bouser whenever he writes so lovingly of Southern Pines. I remember when Steve and his wife, Brenda, moved to town with their young daughter Kate. They loved everything about the place, and especially our beloved neighborhood of Weymouth, where we were neighbors for many years.

Last Saturday, I was overcome with emotion when I visited our newly opened farmers market in downtown Southern Pines. On a gorgeous spring morning, hundreds of people, some with children, some with dogs, were buying the season's first locally grown strawberries and the first crop of perfect geraniums, wonderful fresh herbs and fresh brown eggs, and lots of other local treats.

It was only the market's second week, and so many people had already found it! So, there we were on the East side of Broad Street, forming the perfect picture of small-town America.

You're right on, Steve! And I love it as much as you do.

Jackie Garris

Pinehurst