I commend you for taking an active part in this effort, John, and feel the collective, community joy coming through in your words. The closest I've been to that kind of organizing is my years of work with the farmers market and, a bit later, the community garden.
We live in a relatively small town that attracts retirees from DC, Philly, and NYC--folks with big bank accounts and egos. That has proved advantageous for the funding of many community amenities. We have "our own" YMCA (with a pool), library, community pool, community center, and obviously, community garden and farmers market. All this in a town (incorporated and beyond) of under 4K people, and replicated eight miles away in the next town over. These people don't want to have to drive "that far!"
Thanks, Elizabeth. We have some of that too with Microsoft, Nordstrom, Costco, Amazon folks with at least second homes here. It helps with fundraising, for sure, but the vote is mostly regular locals.
Reminds me of a story about Scott Nearing, loudmouth professor banned in the 1930’s as NY Sociologist. Died in his Maine bed at age 100. In his 80’s, he was no longer safe swimming in the ocean, so he dug a pond. Himself. 14,000 wheelbarrow trips. He helped invent “back to the land” and modernize organic gardening.
Just looked him up. Sounds like a great guy! There was a popular sitcom in the 70s called “The Good LIfe” in the UK, “Good Neighbors” here, about a couple going back to the land in their suburban back yard. Now I know where the (UK) title came from. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_the_Good_Life
I commend you for taking an active part in this effort, John, and feel the collective, community joy coming through in your words. The closest I've been to that kind of organizing is my years of work with the farmers market and, a bit later, the community garden.
We live in a relatively small town that attracts retirees from DC, Philly, and NYC--folks with big bank accounts and egos. That has proved advantageous for the funding of many community amenities. We have "our own" YMCA (with a pool), library, community pool, community center, and obviously, community garden and farmers market. All this in a town (incorporated and beyond) of under 4K people, and replicated eight miles away in the next town over. These people don't want to have to drive "that far!"
Thanks, Elizabeth. We have some of that too with Microsoft, Nordstrom, Costco, Amazon folks with at least second homes here. It helps with fundraising, for sure, but the vote is mostly regular locals.
That is so cool, John. Impressive community work, and I especially love the detail about kiddos all learning to swim!
Thank you so much, Mary Beth.
It is lovely to read about community coming together, John, both for your open water swims and the aquatic centre they’re helping to fund.
Always great to see you John, huge thanks to you & Brenda for pushing me to do the swim this year! You both are rockstars!
Aww, thank you Emily! And thanks for swimming!
Reminds me of a story about Scott Nearing, loudmouth professor banned in the 1930’s as NY Sociologist. Died in his Maine bed at age 100. In his 80’s, he was no longer safe swimming in the ocean, so he dug a pond. Himself. 14,000 wheelbarrow trips. He helped invent “back to the land” and modernize organic gardening.
Just looked him up. Sounds like a great guy! There was a popular sitcom in the 70s called “The Good LIfe” in the UK, “Good Neighbors” here, about a couple going back to the land in their suburban back yard. Now I know where the (UK) title came from. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_the_Good_Life