WHO: Dawn High
WHAT: Baker at Down Home Bakery
LIVES: Unity, WI
IN UNITY FOR: 7 years

Dawn is a fixture of the downtown farmers market in Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park. You’ll find her there every week, dishing out baked goods like they were hot cakes. (Some of them might be hot cakes, actually.)

Why did you decide to bring your bakery items to Eau Claire’s farmers market?  As a university town, it’s bigger and there are more opportunities for things like the farmers market. Also, I believe strongly in the idea of eating local and think it’s important that people know where their food comes from and support local businesses and farmers.

If you had to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?  Ambitious, love people, happy, outgoing, and bubbly.

What place in town considers you a regular? Mom’s Kitchen (on Hastings). It’s a nice hometown café.

What frustrates you about the Valley? To be honest, I haven’t found anything I haven’t liked. I’m rather happy with it.

What was the best cultural experience you’ve had here? At the farmers market I have the chance to interact with many members of the Hmong community, and I love learning about their culture. 

What book would you recommend to the members of our city council? The Bible.

Death bed, one meal from a local restaurant, what would it be?  The orange chicken at Old Country Buffet, which is my second favorite restaurant here.

If you could magically add one store, restaurant, or shop to the area, what would it be? I would love to see a Bob Evans here. It’s a nice, family restaurant, and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of those around here.

Is Wisconsin your favorite state? Yes, I grew up here and I love all the agriculture.

What sort of economic development would you like to see in our area? They really need to add toilets to the farmers market pavilion.

If you could rename Eau Claire a different French name, what would it be? River City, for obvious reasons.