Community Corner

Farmers Offer Vegetables for Return of Stolen Banner

Sandywoods Farmers Market is trying to convince the thief that stole its $250 banner to bring it back - in exchange for some locally grown, organic veggies.

Written by Erin Tiernan

Sandywoods Farmers Market is looking to strike a deal with the thief that took off with its roadside banner last Thursday night. 

Sandywoods is offering the thief vegetables in exchange for the return of its 11-foot tall double-sided banner. The banner disappeared sometime Thursday night from the entrance of the Sandywoods compound at the intersection of Roosevelt Street and Bulgarmarsh Road.

Taking a somewhat tongue-in-cheek response to the theft, Sandywoods Program Coordinator Russ Smith propositioned the vegetable-for-banner trade to the thief via his Facebook page on Monday afternoon.

"To whoever stole the $249.40 Sandywoods Farmers Market 11' tall banner from the corner of Roosevelt & Bulgarmarsh, well, that wasn't very nice," said Smith in his message. "If you'd like to bring it back on Thursday and trade it in for some fresh veggies, that would be cool. Otherwise, please at least make good use of it."

"It's double-sided, white on one side, blue on the other," Smith continued in a later post. "It is probably very frightened and confused. Whoever returns it to us will get a big hug and a bunch of fresh organic veggies." 

The teardrop-style banner was purchased a little more than a month ago to help advertise Sandywoods' budding farmers market. The banner was important to the market, which is still enduring its inaugural season, explained Smith. The market started in January and the banner offered continuous advertising on busy Bulgarmarsh Road and also served as a landmark for patrons unfamiliar with the Sandywoods complex. 

"Sandywoods invested in it to help advertise the market," said Smith in an interview on Monday afternoon. "For us, it's a lot of money. For people coming for the first time, we could tell them to look for the banner."

The farmers market, which takes place every Thursday from 4 - 7 p.m. offers a space for local farmers, artisans and bakers to sell their merchandise and Smith said it is a valuable asset for local businesses. Anyone who would like to help Sandywoods raise the funds for a new banner can donate money at Thursday's market.

"The market is a chance for the community to gather together and to have a central location where people can relax on the porch and meet friends," said Smith. "It's really got a great feel to it so we're going to keep plugging away."

Sandywoods is an environmentally conscious affordable housing community in Tiverton composed mostly of artists and agrarians. Sandywoods community room plays host to variety of arts-friendly activities and performances and serves as a meeting space for residents in the larger community.


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