I’m not an old man, but I have lived long enough to see a good size chunk of America die. I’m sure you have seen it too on almost any main street in any town you might pass through. I see storefronts with locks on the doors and plywood over the windows. These same buildings used to be meat markets, dress shops, grocery stores, Western Autos, hardware stores, barber shops. Now they sit empty and sag, soon they will be an overgrown lot for sale. The man or woman behind the counter was often the owner. They raised a family on what that shop brought in. They knew your folks and you went to school with the kids. They went to your church and may have been your scout leader. Alan Jackson sings about him in “The Little Man.” I’m not trying to rage against the “Ultra Mart” stores of the world. They are here to stay and in many respects they have become a neccessity of life. More and more, my inner conscious has been pushing me toward better stewardship in the areas I choose to spend money. Specifically, I find myself working harder and harder to spend my money in the local economy. I have resolved to follow the following goals: Whenever possible or practical, I will: 1. …buy from local merchants even if it requires going to several stores instead of one "Big Box." 2. …eat at local restaurants 3. …in season, buy from local produce and farm stands 4. …give gifts that I have made myself or have been made by local/regional artist and craftsmen. I’m not getting any younger, but I hope to live long enough to see lights on Main Street burn bright again and plenty of “Open for Business” signs in the windows. Btw…I would encourage all of you to take a look at the website at www.the350project.net. |
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