The Newsy Neighbour Magazine
www.TheNewsyNeighbour.com
May Issue 115
Article Provided By:Kathryn Hartwell
SMALL TOWN LIVING
Have you ever driven through a
small town and wondered to yourself, “What do people DO here?” I know I
certainly have. I drive 2700 miles twice a year going and coming from my
southern home and I drive through hundreds of small towns. More than once, I
catch myself wondering just that. Small towns were once the lifeblood
of this country; they sprang up all along rail lines, as did Langdon, which was
incorporated in 1907. Even when I drive through Langdon, which I normally do at
least once a week, I get that small-town feeling, but it is a good feeling. I
like small towns, I like the feeling of a tighter-knit community, a stronger
sense of belonging and small town charm.
We at The Newsy have been
promoting “Shop Local” for years now and I was more than a little surprised
when driving home this year I noticed “Shop Local” signs in more than a few small-town
stores! But it made me realize this is a global effort for small towns.
It is about a sense of
community, supporting your community, caring about it and the businesses within
your community, having pride in saying your community is thriving. And it is
because we all “Shop Local” that we resist the temptation of driving into Calgary.
Isn’t that why you choose to live in a small town?
If you were ever given a choice between being a city dweller
or a small-town inhabitant, what would you choose? It is common that city
dwellers imagine life of small town people as dreary and monotonous; on the
other hand, small-town people often consider the city life as electrifying with
noise and never-ending pollution and crime. I would pick small town any day of
the week.
I think people decide to move to small towns for various
reasons—there seems to be psychological justifications that explain what it is that brings people
together. Small town people seem to have a feeling of belonging or of sharing a
sense of personal relatedness. They feel like they “fit in” and that this is “their
community”. They will contribute and support the businesses because this is
where they live, it is their responsibility to support “their town”. It is like
sharing a symbol like a sports team jersey. This is what creates a sense of
community.
And after
saying all that, I must tell you I get that exact feeling when I drive through Langdon.
It might have to do with all the small town quaint businesses along Main Street;
everywhere you will find the backbone of most small towns, yes, the small
business owners. Sandstone Pharmacy, Langdon Dental, Barks N Bubbles Pet Spa,
Langdon Auto, Indus Graphics, Amanda Beattie (Realtor), Eastside Accounting,
Gail Schmidt (Realtor), Buy-Low Grocery Store, the barber, the baker, and the
candlestick maker. You know where this is going—all the hard-working entrepreneurs
you will find in every small town—the Chinese restaurant, the book store, the pet
shop—they are all here.
Given the
choice I will pick small town living every time. Living in a small town certainly is not for everyone. But just like every
other choice in life, there are pros and cons to both sides. As for me, I love
living a quiet, simple life.
Kathryn Hartwell
References: thecommunitymanager.com and boundless.org
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