In case you were busy last Friday and Saturday enjoying our beautiful weekend — well at least Saturday was one of those spring days that everyone remembers when days like Sunday show up, you missed a great 2012 Brainerd Lakes Marketplace.

Our Dispatch staff rotated in and out of our booth, meeting you, our readers. It was one of our rare opportunities to meet and listen to what you had to say about your Dispatch.

I picked up a suggestion from one of our readers to start a column that focuses on you — the average resident of our community. I’m thinking of: “Our Neighbor.” Others indicated they were pleased that we pulled Vox Pop. Their pleasure was countered with those who were upset that we pulled the popular, no-holds-barred voice of the people from the print edition. (It remains a popular item on the Dispatch website, something we were quick to point out to fans.)

Saturday’s 70-degree weather was perfect for the throngs of families who brought their children out to enjoy kids’-oriented games. The chatter and voices of excitement were heard throughout the Brainerd Area Civic Center.

Parents of the children and grandparents joined in viewing the various booths, as well as food preparation demonstrations. It was awesome.

This two-day event was a tremendous display of community pride, support and, something that has been slowly gaining momentum, signs of recovery from the deepest recession since the Great Depression. Folks were talking positively whether they had their eye on a new trail bike or a leaf blower, or any of the other items that were there to inform the Marketplace crowd.

It was a pleasure seeing many of you and I hope to hear from you.

—Keith Hansen