There are so many things to be thankful for and the usual litany includes family, friends, health, employment, housing, food and peace. There are other things to be thankful for, right here in our own communities.
In Mitchell, I’m thankful that the recent fire in Perkins took place overnight when no one was in the restaurant. I’m thankful no one was hurt; employees or patrons or those who fought the fire. The damage is disappointing and devastating but, as the old aphorism goes, “it could have been worse”. I’m thankful that the Perkins people have indicated they will rebuild. With so many restaurants (Chef Louie’s, Whiskey Creek, The Lake House, Hardee’s, Burger King etc. and to name two blasts from the past – Happy Chef and Fanny Horner’s) out of business, the loss of Perkins looms even larger.
I’m thankful for the family-owned businesses, like Car Quest, the Diamond Store, the Scoreboard and S & M Printing amongst others, that dot our Main Street corridor. Businesses like that used to be the norm, owned by friends and neighbors with a real stake in and commitment to the community. Now there are so many national chains and corporate entities that, while they employ local people, the enterprises themselves have no ties to the area other than for profit.
I’m thankful for local support organizations like Dakota Mental Health, Life Quest and the Abbott House. These essential services make life bearable for some, redemptive for others and worth living for all who have the good fortune to participate in their programs. I often think how short sighted the City of Mitchell is when the green eye shades and bean counters refuse to recognize how these (and other) organizations help fellow citizens with specialized problems and needs all the while saving the City money in the long run. If the City were to have to take on the social welfare, police and corrections costs that would come should these groups cease their operations and considering as well as the local economic impact of the loss of jobs, sales tax etc. from the closure of these service businesses, it would cost significantly more in public tax dollars than the pittance that organizations like these are made to beg for in every budget cycle from the City.
I’m reminded of the time, when I was still on the City Council, that the Parks Department ( a past, not the current, department head) bragged about saving $15,000 by not spraying for mosquitoes. No one thanks you for saving money by sparing the lives of pesky mosquitoes. Believe it or not, there are times (even in government) when spending a little money now, saves a bundle later. That goes double for funding the good work of places like Dakota Mental Health, Life Quest , the Abbott House etc.
I’m thankful for Dakota Wesleyan University and Mitchell Technical College. In addition to providing top notch education across a broad spectrum of careers, these institutions bring droves of young people to town and that is a very positive thing. Those young people feed an economic machine, providing educated and skilled instructors’ jobs and a source of employees to the local business community. These students spend money in our town, adding to our sales tax base as well as injecting new ideas and young blood into our community. When I was running for Mayor, Roger Musick of Innovative Systems told me how vital having higher education facilities in town was for his business specifically but for Mitchell generally. Hopefully, those young people find careers, homes and love in and around Mitchell which then leads to children in the school system and membership replacements for our civic organizations and in local governmental offices.
I’m appreciative of the recreational, swimming and parks opportunities that are available in the City of Mitchell. The green spaces are restful and facilities like Cadwell Park are the envy of the State. We are truly lucky to have amenities like this and the people who provide and maintain them.
In much of the country, volunteerism is a thing of the past. For a time at Mitchell High School, “volunteerism” was a graduation requirement. Andy Tate, who then taught American Government, was the coordinator. He did a good job at suggesting opportunities for kids and motivating them to get out and to give of themselves. Now, volunteerism as well as charity work are an important part of a graduating senior’s resume when it comes to being accepted for college admission. I always thought the focus of the volunteerism requirement was a good thing – you’d be hard pressed to find any group more fixated on just themselves than teenagers – but I always thought requiring “volunteerism” was something of an oxymoron. The high school doesn’t “require” it anymore, to my knowledge.
In Mitchell, as well as in the smaller communities in the surrounding area, true volunteerism is alive and well. There are several civic organizations where volunteers slave in the trenches, doing good work and coordinating events that we all benefit from and enjoy. The Exchange Club is very active, with a number of fundraising events that provide money for worthy projects in the community. The Lions Club does good work as well. Their signature project is collecting eyewear for those who need it. The Shriners put on the annual circus among other undertakings. The Corn Palace Committee helps arrange Corn Palace Week, limited by their available budget as well as the touring plans and routes of desired entertainers. There are several other groups, along with the various churches who have outreach to those hurting or in need. I’m thankful for all those folks taking time out of their busy lives to help and improve the lives of others in our communities.
I’m thankful for Jeff Logan and the Logan Luxury Theaters. We take that marvelous opportunity for granted. Jeff always does a great job in bringing first run movies to town. He has “nostalgia” showings – like Jaws – and other “theme showings” – like when he brings the Oscar contenders to town or the run of kids’ movies on Saturdays. The theater is an important draw for Mitchell and driver of economic activity. It attracts people from all around to come and see a show, perhaps spending money in town (gas, restaurants and in the stores) while they’re here as well. We’ve been spoiled by Jeff and the Logan Luxury Theater. When I was in the State Legislature, I recall going to the movies on a bleak winter’s evening in Pierre. My only choice then was “The Presidio”, starring Mark Harmon and Sean Connery. I enjoyed the movie very much – when I had seen it months earlier in Mitchell during its first run, courtesy of Jeff Logan’s superior booking abilities. I enjoyed it again a few months later when I saw it on television on HBO. The folks in Pierre were beside themselves at their good fortune in getting The Presidio for their theater that blustery February night, nearly a full calendar year after I already had seen it at the Roxy in Mitchell. There were many things that convinced me never to run for Governor but having to live in Pierre with their limited restaurant, retail and entertainment opportunities was one of them. Mitchell and the area should be appreciative of our local movie house.
I’m thankful for the local entrepreneurs, past and present, that make a living in our community – some in friendly competition with each other like Harve’s and Sun Gold. We have a more varied and satisfying retail experience than many other communities outside of Sioux Falls. We have unique places like Einstein’s and the Antique Mall as well as Bonnie’s DeKor and dynamic places like Tickled Pink. There are so many other businesses I could mention, for example the Mercantile, as well. I’m grateful for those who take a risk, invest the capital to start or expand their own businesses and to the next generation that takes a legacy business into the uncertain future.
I’m grateful for all the various wonderful professional services we have in town, especially the medical facilities. There are many things to carp, criticize and complain about but countless more things to be thankful for. Take some time this Thanksgiving to broaden your horizon of thankfulness when saying your prayers over your feast. It isn’t New Year’s Eve, but this Thanksgiving make a resolution to do what you can, with what you have, where you are to make our little part of the world even better than it already is.
Happy Thanksgiving.