Penny For Your Thoughts
By: Nancy Whitaker
As I think of my grandma and grandpa, I just wonder what they would think of the world today. The streets where they lived and walked, the houses they lived in and everyone they may have known are gone. Would they embrace cell phones, computers, Netflix and cable TV?
I know they would be surprised at the price of gas, a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread. They would be amazed at the new high schools, the technicality of the ways of farming and the informality of what people wear to church.
I don’t think they could even fathom what big changes have taken place on our “downtown” or should I say “uptown” streets. They would in no doubt be looking for the corner drugstore, a dime store, restaurants, shoe stores, dress shops and oh yes a movie theater.
Instead they would find offices, banks, and a few restaurants to get a cup of coffee or a piece of pie. We all know there are not too many of the Mom and Pop stores left in which to shop. This has encouraged people to go to bigger cities to get what they need.
My ancestors would all be surprised at the so-called Super Centers where you can buy everything you need under one roof. I do believe in shopping locally and try and do that, but we all know it sure isn’t like even 25 years ago. Big corporations have moved in and while they offer employment and perhaps better prices, the friendly corner grocer who knew everyone by name is no more.
Kudos to the remaining small businesses that keep their doors open. Thank you to the small independently owned restaurants which still serve home cooked meals.
While we cannot stop change and progress, we can all still get on the same page and have the common goal of making our downtown a place we can be proud of and where people can see and visit their neighbors from the surrounding area
We live in a world where things are constantly changing. We have always been a country of change, some good and some bad. But, you know, we still live in America and can support our local businesses. We can all begin to build and work on our own town. Leaders, citizens, clubs, businesses and hard workers could accomplish a lot by working together. There is an old saying, “There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” Is this the problem? Well as for me I want to help but I just want to be an Indian. Remember shop local and we will all benefit.
