Even the Squirrels are leaving...

Last weekend I traveled to north central Indiana to attend a friend’s wedding. This is a quick weekend trip that involved more time in the car than out of the car. I arrived in Wabash, Indiana with just enough time to find my hotel and get ready for my role as Guest-Book-Boy. I shared this position with another friend of the bride and former classmate.

As I drove from my hotel to the church I entered the center of a town that can only be described as Story Book Beautiful. My heart was captured. Wabash has a population that is not much bigger than my hometown of Olney. But what made it so captivating and beautiful? Was it the ever-changing topography? Was it the broad streets lined with local stores? or was it simply because it wasn’t Olney?

After a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful reception I stepped outside to a freshly rained street and realized what Wabash had over Olney. Pride…and maybe a little self respect. For as long as I have lived in Olney I have always been a little ashamed to admit it. Well, that isn’t entirely true. At least I’m not from Newton or God forbid Flora.

I love Olney. But that love alone cannot change a thing. I’ve joined groups, coalitions, non-profits, philanthropic organizations, and even attended a few local and regional board meetings. But I still live in a town that cannot pave streets, clean medians, paint stripes, change lights, encourage industry, and most important KEEP LOCAL BUSINESSES.

When I returned to Olney after my Wabash weekend I left the post office and turned the corner of our only business intersection to see a horror waiting before me. My heart stopped and a lump came to my throat as I saw a large “Going Out of Business” sign hanging from the side of my favorite store. After 49 years our last local clothing store and haberdashery was calling it quits. My emotion quickly turned form heartache to outright anger! Olney had shut down this store, and I no longer wanted to live in a town that would kill an institution that had served generations.

I’m still not happy. This town needs to change. I am from Olney, but I am not of Olney.