Unlimited Possibilities
By: Dan LaGrange, VU Board Member
Moving away from Vinton was something both my wife and I knew we always wanted to do. After college we wanted to try different things, meet new people, and get a change of scenery. Both of us grew up in Vinton, so we were ready for a change. We ended up in the warm arid area of Washington State. It was not half way around the world or even a different country but far enough to get a change of scenery. Perhaps it’s because it was a bigger town, perhaps it was due to a different set of cultural traditions, but it didn’t take long to notice a difference. It wasn’t anything specific, but the town didn’t have a strong sense of community and most people shopped at the big box stores. Sure they had a slogan and a festival but walking around town most people were not expected to say hello. After a few years we were ready to move home knowing we had built some great memories and started new friendships. We are happy to be home around family and back in the community we grew up in.
It’s hard to say just what makes a strong community. But I think it starts with building relationships. A strong web of relationships, tie each and every person together and acts as both a support system and a moral compass. When you know you are going to see someone again, you treat them with respect and build a relationship. You see them at the gas station, the grocery store and the pancake breakfast. You learn their kids go to school with your kids. They become the people you can turn to when you need help or advice. They may even work at one of the businesses here in Vinton. We have a lot of great businesses right here in our community and with local businesses you are not just paying for the product, you are paying for your neighbor to be there to answer your questions with a smile. The people who live and work in our community are great people to get to know and it all starts with saying hello.