LEDGER MAIN STREET

(Editor's Note: The following article is the first in a series that will give readers of the Ledger a first hand view of local businesses. The article was written by Copper K Barn owner Lacee Kountz.)

The Copper K Barn officially has one full year of events under its belt. Although if this 120-year-old barn could talk I'm sure it would have many stories to tell you of fun, laughter and "events" that took place inside its big beautiful timbered frame long before it became a wedding venue.

By my standards the first season at the barn was a huge success. Not only for me, but for our community as a whole, which is exactly what I had hoped for when I started this project! It's incredible to see how many people, that come from all over the state and country, choose to use local vendors not only for its convenience but also because they want to be supportive to our small town.

Even though the barn is primarily used for weddings, it has also been used for birthday parties, graduation parties, family reunions and even a celebration of a very beautiful life.

Something new to be held at the barn this summer will be the first ever Copper K Fiber Festival. Organized and sponsored by Ranching Tradition Fiber (Kami Noyes) and Snowdrift Alpaca (Betty Kujawa). The festival will have vendors from all over the country gathering together to support the continued growth of fiber arts and will be offering classes such as knitting, spinning and felting. It's shaping up to be a pretty big event and I'm excited to see how it all comes together and what kind of business it brings to Whitehall.

I always have people ask me if I am still happy with my decision to fix up the barn and the answer is absolutely yes! I still look up at this great building with amazement and admiration to all of those men who worked so hard building such an amazing place over 120 years ago. I like to think they are all smiling down, happy to see all of their hard work being put to good use. It has also been a great reminder of how supportive our small community can be... The kindness and support I've felt from everyone in the surrounding area has been incredible, and I'd just like to say thank you! Thank you for being excited and supportive of the Copper K Barn. Thank you for offering your home, loft or apartment as a vacation rental. Thank you for telling clients and friends about the barn when you hear their daughter or son just got engaged. Thank you for being tolerant of the extra traffic on the road and thank you to all the local businesses that offer such great customer service to your customers. I am so very proud to call Whitehall my hometown because of the community that supports it!

Life is about spending time with the ones you love, and just as this old barn has always brought me and my family together, it is now bringing other families together in many different ways and that has been so incredible to watch!

~Lacee Kountz