If we understand and accept the premise there are three sectors in our economy, a public, a private and a social sector it becomes obvious neighborhood institutions are the missing link in the development puzzle. The question then becomes how do we identify and recognize and engage these associations in the process? This critical first step involves a new vision. It requires a redefinition and a new understanding of the importance of neighboring and the neighborhood institutions supporting neighborhood values. It recognizes the need to reach out and support the neighborhood associations that build the community and foster neighboring.
My wife is Lorraine so why am I living in Mary’s Home?
Lorraine and I didn’t grow up in Mary’s Home, Missouri but we were lucky enough to have found it. Mary’s Home is one of the rare finds in Rural America that has survived the destruction the Industrial Age brought to our neighborhoods and their economies. Mary’s Home is an unincorporated village on a bend in the Osage River 30 miles south of Jefferson City. No one can say how many live in Mary’s Home. The number is not important. It only measures the human capital. It is the social capital which is most important and best predictor of the quality of a neighborhood and its organizations.
If you want to taste and experience what it feels like to live in a wealthy neighborhood community come to the Corner Market for breakfast some morning between 6:30 and 8:00. If you aren’t invited into the conversation listen in. If you can get a word in edgewise ask a question. Any one of the breakfast club members or Sandra, the owner, or one of her staff will be more than happy to answer your questions but be warned, you may be invited to join in and stay longer than you planned. Whatever happens, I know you will feel welcome. After breakfast walk around the 100 year old store. Be sure to go upstairs onto the balcony. Be warned again you might be tempted to spend more money than you had planned to spend for breakfast.
Before you jump in your car take a quick walk through downtown Mary’s Home. Judy, the manager of our credit union, will be happy to tell you about its 40 year history serving the community. Are you impressed there is a $2M credit union in a tiny place like this? Wait till you see our full service bank at the end of the block. On the way, pay a visit to our 100 year old church. The door is open. Before you reach the Bank of Mary’s Home at the end of the block you pass by our K to 8 school and the old community hall with a gymnasium and bowling alley. The new community center just opened to take care of the expanding number of students and just in time to accommodate you and many others at our parish picnic on September 2nd.
If you end your visit to Mary’s Home with a ten mile drive around Old Ten Mile Road, which begins at the Corner Market and ends at the Corner Market, you will pass more than 40 home based businesses. Some are visible like the farms and Benny Bax Auto Repair. Most hidden in and behind the homes along the road. All are the engines of our healthy economy.
Now you know why I am living in Mary’s Home and why I raised such a stink with the Jefferson City Council for inviting another destructive Wal*Mart into our local economy.
I wrote this on purpose
Of course you are invited to our parish picnic on September 2nd. It is a great event. Not only is it the mother of all parish picnics, it is a demonstration of the power a community has when its members work together. Of course you are invited. Come early and buy your dinner tickets before the hall opens at 11:00. But the purpose of this article is not to promote our picnic nor is it to sell real estate in Mary’s Home. My purpose is to show how important healthy neighborhood institutions are as the building blocks for a healthy neighborhood economy and community. If I have another purpose it is to encourage you to go back to building and rebuilding your own neighborhood community. You don’t have to move to live in a better neighborhood.
Lorraine and I didn’t grow up in Mary’s Home, Missouri but we were lucky enough to have found it. Mary’s Home is one of the rare finds in Rural America that has survived the destruction the Industrial Age brought to our neighborhoods and their economies. Mary’s Home is an unincorporated village on a bend in the Osage River 30 miles south of Jefferson City. No one can say how many live in Mary’s Home. The number is not important. It only measures the human capital. It is the social capital which is most important and best predictor of the quality of a neighborhood and its organizations.
If you want to taste and experience what it feels like to live in a wealthy neighborhood community come to the Corner Market for breakfast some morning between 6:30 and 8:00. If you aren’t invited into the conversation listen in. If you can get a word in edgewise ask a question. Any one of the breakfast club members or Sandra, the owner, or one of her staff will be more than happy to answer your questions but be warned, you may be invited to join in and stay longer than you planned. Whatever happens, I know you will feel welcome. After breakfast walk around the 100 year old store. Be sure to go upstairs onto the balcony. Be warned again you might be tempted to spend more money than you had planned to spend for breakfast.
Before you jump in your car take a quick walk through downtown Mary’s Home. Judy, the manager of our credit union, will be happy to tell you about its 40 year history serving the community. Are you impressed there is a $2M credit union in a tiny place like this? Wait till you see our full service bank at the end of the block. On the way, pay a visit to our 100 year old church. The door is open. Before you reach the Bank of Mary’s Home at the end of the block you pass by our K to 8 school and the old community hall with a gymnasium and bowling alley. The new community center just opened to take care of the expanding number of students and just in time to accommodate you and many others at our parish picnic on September 2nd.
If you end your visit to Mary’s Home with a ten mile drive around Old Ten Mile Road, which begins at the Corner Market and ends at the Corner Market, you will pass more than 40 home based businesses. Some are visible like the farms and Benny Bax Auto Repair. Most hidden in and behind the homes along the road. All are the engines of our healthy economy.
Now you know why I am living in Mary’s Home and why I raised such a stink with the Jefferson City Council for inviting another destructive Wal*Mart into our local economy.
I wrote this on purpose
Of course you are invited to our parish picnic on September 2nd. It is a great event. Not only is it the mother of all parish picnics, it is a demonstration of the power a community has when its members work together. Of course you are invited. Come early and buy your dinner tickets before the hall opens at 11:00. But the purpose of this article is not to promote our picnic nor is it to sell real estate in Mary’s Home. My purpose is to show how important healthy neighborhood institutions are as the building blocks for a healthy neighborhood economy and community. If I have another purpose it is to encourage you to go back to building and rebuilding your own neighborhood community. You don’t have to move to live in a better neighborhood.
No comments:
Post a Comment