"We hope to see the world differently when you're done than we do now."
This was the charge that Karl, our boss, CEO and president of Danville Regional Foundaion, left with us as summer interns. I was fairly intimidated by the first day in general, but the laid-back attitudes of the staff immediately calmed me.
Upon arrival, I saw a beautiful, small city full of potential. The architecture and houses are gorgeous, and, lucky for me, I live in a historic district. I have two roomates, both interns as well. The ten interns are warming up to each other, and I am certain that by the end of our ten weeks together, we will laugh about our awkward first days.
As far as work is concerned, we are currently working as one group to improve the use of the walking trails in the area to increase exercise among members of the region's population. In the future, we will break into smaller groups to complete projects that are geared toward our interests, but this serves as an ice-breaker in a sense. The fascinatingly diverse backgrounds which we all bring to the table blend together to leave no facet of an issue untouched. It really is refreshing to be around such people.
This morning, my mother left to make the trip home. I will miss her ironing my clothes and cooking my meals, and mostly merely knowing that she's near, but I am ready to embrace the independence that comes with such wonderful opportunities in life. It is that thought that must remain with me: the fleeting nature of these two and a half months in front of me.
It is with these thoughts that I will today return to my cubicle as an intern. And in some way, there is nothing else I'd rather be.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
In my short time studying communities, I've become more and more convinced of the need for great meeting places that foster community and generate ideas with others. In Oxford, I've found that there are a host of such places on the Square, from the ever-popular morning meeting place that is Bottletree Bakery to the bookstore that will never be surpassed in my mind, Square Books.
In Louisville, we don't have these places so much, and our civic engagement suffers for it. Civic engagement is merely the participation of citizens in the decision making process, but is more than casting a vote, which is political engagement. Civic engagement was formerly at its peak with civic (hence, the name) clubs, but the increase in technology (according to Robert Putnam) has decreased the levels of social capital and engagement in America. Parents are also now more concerned with shuttling their children to every structured sport activity or ballet lesson, allowing themselves no personal time to join clubs and interact to better their communities and surroundings. There are pros and cons to everything, so I digress.
Recently, however, Lyle Grocery Cafe and White Dog Gallery have opened in the historic Lyle Grocery building in downtown Louisville. Through my stops there to eat or look at the unique art, I've had discussions with everyone from a promising mayoral candidate to kids who go to my former high school. The courage of the owners to open such a venture in a time of economic uncertainty has prompted discussion about the business, entrepreneurship, and the future of our small town. Last Friday night, as I was putting the final touches on my packing for Virginia, my mom and I sat at Lyle for two hours talking about Louisville, my summer, and everything in between with several people. It was a special occasion, for nightly openings are very much an experiment in downtown Louisville, and we knew we must support such a bold but needed effort. As we left, I kept saying, and still am, how glad I was that we went. It was refreshing to hear others' concerns about Louisville, as always happens when I am there. But what is more refreshing is that there are people who are proactively concerned, who can learn from the story of Lyle Grocery and see the positive aspects of our little town when the talk has for too long been negative. This business start up does not erase the saddening job losses that have hit industries located there, nor does it hold the potential to employ or impact a multitude of lives as those did. But it serves as an example of the ingenuity that comes out of such times. If it can make it now, if Louisville will support it, we can use this valley in our history to begin the long climb up the mountain and reverse our plight.
I was noting yesterday that towns with no extraordinary resources (state capital, university or college, interstate) can only be transformed from within. For Louisville, it will take an inward transformation, begun by those who have lived and laid roots in the community. We must learn to not feel sorry for ourselves and the hand we have been dealt, but to pull out the positives of our town and showcase them. In Danville, I'm learning more and more that this town needs a huge self-esteem boost. Louisville is on the same track: hanging our heads, ashamed of where we come from, proud of little in our area. I can't wait for the day that I will say I am from Louisville and faces will light up and the mention of it. Together, let's make that sooner rather than later-- get engaged in what is happening.
In Louisville, we don't have these places so much, and our civic engagement suffers for it. Civic engagement is merely the participation of citizens in the decision making process, but is more than casting a vote, which is political engagement. Civic engagement was formerly at its peak with civic (hence, the name) clubs, but the increase in technology (according to Robert Putnam) has decreased the levels of social capital and engagement in America. Parents are also now more concerned with shuttling their children to every structured sport activity or ballet lesson, allowing themselves no personal time to join clubs and interact to better their communities and surroundings. There are pros and cons to everything, so I digress.
Recently, however, Lyle Grocery Cafe and White Dog Gallery have opened in the historic Lyle Grocery building in downtown Louisville. Through my stops there to eat or look at the unique art, I've had discussions with everyone from a promising mayoral candidate to kids who go to my former high school. The courage of the owners to open such a venture in a time of economic uncertainty has prompted discussion about the business, entrepreneurship, and the future of our small town. Last Friday night, as I was putting the final touches on my packing for Virginia, my mom and I sat at Lyle for two hours talking about Louisville, my summer, and everything in between with several people. It was a special occasion, for nightly openings are very much an experiment in downtown Louisville, and we knew we must support such a bold but needed effort. As we left, I kept saying, and still am, how glad I was that we went. It was refreshing to hear others' concerns about Louisville, as always happens when I am there. But what is more refreshing is that there are people who are proactively concerned, who can learn from the story of Lyle Grocery and see the positive aspects of our little town when the talk has for too long been negative. This business start up does not erase the saddening job losses that have hit industries located there, nor does it hold the potential to employ or impact a multitude of lives as those did. But it serves as an example of the ingenuity that comes out of such times. If it can make it now, if Louisville will support it, we can use this valley in our history to begin the long climb up the mountain and reverse our plight.
I was noting yesterday that towns with no extraordinary resources (state capital, university or college, interstate) can only be transformed from within. For Louisville, it will take an inward transformation, begun by those who have lived and laid roots in the community. We must learn to not feel sorry for ourselves and the hand we have been dealt, but to pull out the positives of our town and showcase them. In Danville, I'm learning more and more that this town needs a huge self-esteem boost. Louisville is on the same track: hanging our heads, ashamed of where we come from, proud of little in our area. I can't wait for the day that I will say I am from Louisville and faces will light up and the mention of it. Together, let's make that sooner rather than later-- get engaged in what is happening.
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