Community
We live a couple of miles from a small town--a nice town, and we're happy here.
This town has a small local grocery store, a post office with limited services, a bank branch, a small restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch, and a farm museum that opened a few months ago. The only service station closed more than a year ago; we heard the owner died, and I guess no one has wanted to take it over. Oh, yes--a few churches, too. There is also a small building with a sign over the door that says "City Hall." I'm not sure if this building is ever used. All of these businesses are more or less on "the square" that surrounds a green area that has a gazebo in the center of it. This Saturday, Santa will be in the gazebo, with free pictures being taken, and a couple of the good local folks will have carriages hooked up giving free rides.
We've not had a lot to do with the town since moving in 14 months ago, except going to the restaurant--not often, although the food is generally good, and it's nice to at least have met the folks who cook the food. We also go to very small church in town, sometimes doubling the attendance. My parents have been better about becoming part of the community; they opened a bank account here pretty quickly; my father takes extra tomatoes in the summer to the restaurant; they occasionally patronize the grocery store; etc.
Yesterday, the kids got academics finished very quickly and we let all but the critical chores (critters and laundry) slide while we baked. We made two types of cookies, a batch of milk chocolate/mint fudge, and homemade turtle brownies, all from scratch. We had a good time and were weary by evening.
Today, the kids and I loaded up around 10:30 and delivered these goodies with Christmas wishes to the four downtown businesses (the museum is not open all the time; only upon request and on special occasions); a neighboring nursery--they've been very neighborly; and our closest neighbors, who are great mentors and friends. Each of these received the treats with genuine warmth and seemed truly touched (not tetched!) at the gesture.
It feels good to be neighborly.
Mary Susan
This town has a small local grocery store, a post office with limited services, a bank branch, a small restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch, and a farm museum that opened a few months ago. The only service station closed more than a year ago; we heard the owner died, and I guess no one has wanted to take it over. Oh, yes--a few churches, too. There is also a small building with a sign over the door that says "City Hall." I'm not sure if this building is ever used. All of these businesses are more or less on "the square" that surrounds a green area that has a gazebo in the center of it. This Saturday, Santa will be in the gazebo, with free pictures being taken, and a couple of the good local folks will have carriages hooked up giving free rides.
We've not had a lot to do with the town since moving in 14 months ago, except going to the restaurant--not often, although the food is generally good, and it's nice to at least have met the folks who cook the food. We also go to very small church in town, sometimes doubling the attendance. My parents have been better about becoming part of the community; they opened a bank account here pretty quickly; my father takes extra tomatoes in the summer to the restaurant; they occasionally patronize the grocery store; etc.
Yesterday, the kids got academics finished very quickly and we let all but the critical chores (critters and laundry) slide while we baked. We made two types of cookies, a batch of milk chocolate/mint fudge, and homemade turtle brownies, all from scratch. We had a good time and were weary by evening.
Today, the kids and I loaded up around 10:30 and delivered these goodies with Christmas wishes to the four downtown businesses (the museum is not open all the time; only upon request and on special occasions); a neighboring nursery--they've been very neighborly; and our closest neighbors, who are great mentors and friends. Each of these received the treats with genuine warmth and seemed truly touched (not tetched!) at the gesture.
It feels good to be neighborly.
Mary Susan
posted by The Bradshaws at 1:51 PM
2 Comments:
I liked your story of taking the cookies around and the Santa and photos and wagon rides. Sounds like our near town, Barre which is about 10 miles from us. We just took our young daughter Hope on a wagon ride in town. There were horses which she is enarmoured with. The difference is there are about a dozen banks and a dozen gasoline/garages in Barre. I don't understand how this little town and surrounding area can support so many. What they lack is a good bookstore. :( It is about 100 miles to the nearest extensive books store although there are two small ones about 20 miles away. What is the population of your near town? Barre is under 10,000 people.
Sorry Walter. I just noticed the question. I'm not real sure of the population but it is in the 300-500 range if you include the entire metro area. ;) keith
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