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10/28/2009 3:34 AM

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The weather actually might cooperate for the season finale of the Main Street Farmers' Market.

That's a change of pace from most of the summer, when it seemed like every Thursday was rain day. But if the little sun icons on AccuWeather are any indicator, tomorrow looks like a nice one in downtown Washington.

We can hope the forecast holds true for many reasons, but perhaps the main one is a tribute that's scheduled to take place just prior to the market's opening.

The weekly event in the municipal parking lot off South Main Street owes its success to the efforts of volunteers. And a volunteer who really has gone above and beyond is East Washington resident Steve Dettinger.

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If you've been to the market, you probably have seen Steve doing everything from setting up (and tearing down) the sound system to making sure the needs of vendors are addressed. And that's just on Thursdays. Plenty of other market-related activity goes on behind the scenes throughout the rest of the week.

And the market is just one of his many community-oriented endeavors. He also has helped organize the city's First Thursday events, and he also has been involved with making the historic David Bradford House run smoothly.

To top it off, he's a heck of a nice guy.

So his many friends and associates are gathering at 2:45 Thursday at the Rotary's Patriots Pavilion to, in the words of farmers' market co-founder Suzanne Ewing, "honor Steve's powerful, positive impact on our town."

The tribute will include some songs he enjoys performed by mandolinist Lee Young, singer (and the other market co-founder) Kim Lucchini, and some guy who writes a newspaper column trying to play guitar.

Actually, I'm really looking forward to helping pay tribute to Steve. Anyone who can take on a project the scope of the farmers' market and make it work needs a tip of the hat.

Plus, he's one of the most personable fellows in town. I guess that's been a key to his success when it comes to coordinating and motivating volunteers.

He's done a great job, too, in bringing in talented musicians to entertain the market crowd each week, some traveling quite a distance to participate in the festivities.

Unfortunately, Steve has been under the weather, and other volunteers have been taking the reins in guiding this year's market season to its conclusion.

If you're planning to check out the final farmers' market, please stop by a bit early to help celebrate the efforts of a man who's all about community.

At a time when so many others are content to sit back and watch, Steve Dettinger has made a difference. And that deserves recognition, particularly for such a good guy.

Online editor Harry Funk can be reached at hfunk@observer-reporter.com.

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