Pumpkin Project

Eight-year-old Lexi Wehrle, back, learned a lesson about running a business this summer.

With the help of her parents, Eric and Lisa Wehrle, and her grandfather, Von Duggins, she planted, raised and harvested about 70 hills of pumpkins – which has resulted in about 1,250 of the orange vegetables. "It was a lot of work," Lexi said, "but I learned a lot. I learned how to grow them, and also how to make change when we sell them." The pumpkins are for sale in front of their house, which is located across U.S. Route 51 from the Vandalia Correctional Center. Pictured with Lexi is her 4-year-old sister, Livi.