Possible New Rudyard Community Center

A few days ago, I posted a question on my Facebook page. The question was this:

What do you see as the biggest issues facing rural communities?

There were many responses, comments, replies, and even some healthy debate. People's ideas varied greatly. Some people mentioned the advent of the CRP program, wherein some people who owned land put it into Conservation Reserve and then sought different professions elsewhere. Others brought up the size of farms increasing but the number of farms decreasing. There was mention of falling commodity prices, and there were other terms mentioned like "brain drain," and "loss of main street." Another definite theme was lack of access to essential services and infrastructure, specifically medical services and high speed internet. There were even social themes- some credited the insular nature of small towns making it difficult to feel like a person "fits in" if/when they do move to a rural area.

Needless to say, the "why" behind what one could call the decline of rural America is complex. It's good to think about the background and challenge ourselves to address these issues. Me, I'm mostly interested in progressing toward a more vibrant future for small towns and rural communities. Let's take what we've experienced and what we know about the decline and use our knowledge to grow into a promising future.

The initial reason I posted my question is because I'm leading a workshop at the upcoming Montana Farmers Union Women's Conference (<------ Click for more information or to register!!) on the topic of creating vibrant small towns and rural communities. Actually, it's going to be sort of a "hack-a-thon" where groups will brainstorm ideas and solutions- no idea too big or too small- that could help either in their town or some other town. Groups will develop their ideas, then "pitch" them to the room. I wanted a little background and opinion to help inform my thoughts as I prep for my workshop.

With all this already on my mind, literally the next day, I saw the following post on my Facebook feed:

How timely, right?

I attended the meeting of the Commercial Club last night and was delighted to see about 30 people present. The audience was diverse in age and experience. Discussion about the potential new building was exciting and optimism was very high, and I was really impressed by the comments people had about looking to the future of our town-- a feeling that was bolstered when looking around the room and seeing the number of younger people present at the meeting. People care about the future of our small town and clearly showed they want to work toward making this project a success. I volunteered to be on the committee working on the project of a new Community Center (or rehabbed current space).

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

So, if you've read this far, this is where you come in. Our committee is looking for input on what exactly the potential new building should be like. If it does end up being a complete replacement of the Senior Center/Community Building currently being used, we know it will need to at least have space for senior lunches, a cafe, and beauty shop. But what else could or should it have? Here are some more specific questions to get you thinking:

- What are some specific needs that our community has that could be addressed with a new building?
- What would be most useful for future generations of area residents?
- What could drive business, tourism, or more people to visit town?
- If you don't live in the area, what are some features of community centers in your town that you like or dislike? What has or hasn't worked?
- What gives people pride in their town? What gives people a strong sense of place?
- What do you like or dislike as far as aesthetics of a building like this?

We have a unique opportunity to make some changes to our Main Street area with the potential that this project possesses. At this stage, No idea is too big or too small. I hope to hear from many community members, near and far, and even from outsiders, so that we can consider your opinions and make this space a great fit for Rudyard for generations to come.

Please leave your comments below, or on my Facebook page, or call or talk to me or any of the committee members in person. All opinions are welcome. It's unlikely that we'll be able to use every single suggestion, but if you don't voice your opinion there is no chance that it will be heard. Thank you for your consideration!

Looking West toward Rudyard from a gravel road.

Thankful Thursday ~ Gotta Love Small Towns!

OK. I'll admit it. I watch The Bachelor. I do! I'm not ashamed. Yes, I know it's canned and corny, sensationalized and silly. But you know what? I find that when I'm watching this show, I am smiling. How many TV shows make us smile these days? The Bachelor/Bachelorette makes me smile, and that is the main reason why I like it and keep coming back to it.

This season I have been particularly interested in The Bachelor because he is a farmer AND he's from my home state of Iowa! I really wanted to tune in and see both how Iowa was represented and how the small town, rural, agricultural lifestyle was portrayed on TV. Obviously, they don't go in depth about farming and agriculture on the show, but I do think, so far, Chris (The Bachelor) has shown that he is proud of being a farmer and is standing behind his lifestyle admirably. As he should! As should any farmer!

The show has been a little less forgiving on the small town he is from: Arlington, IA. In a recent episode, the remaining ladies had a chance to see exactly what Arlington, population 400 or so, is like. As I watched, I had two viewpoints swimming through my mind. One was as someone who did not grow up in a teeny tiny town and knows what it is like to live in a big city. The other was knowing now what it is that really makes small towns special.

Image source: www.tmz.com.
Some of the ladies shown walking around Arlington, and reacting to what they see.

In the show, the ladies have mixed reactions (or at least, that's what they show on TV. Who knows what was done or said that didn't make the final cut to be aired...) to Arlington. Some of them can see the appeal of small town life and others are shocked at the lack of big city amenities. (What did you expect, ladies?!) I think what struck home the most for me was how Chris talked about his town and showed it off. He seemed like he had some trepidation and nervousness over their reactions. On one date, he talked about feeling a little sad about his town losing businesses and feeling sort of run down. I can relate to that feeling here in our small Hi-Line towns. At least Rudyard (similar or maybe slightly larger population as Arlington) still has a cafe and a seasonally-operated movie theater!

When the Bachelor toured his date around his town, they pointed out that it was completely dead. No traffic. No people outside. And with all the defunct businesses boarded up and empty, it really looked and felt like a ghost town. Where was everybody? At the local Friday night football game!

Now, this is where the actual meat of my Thankful Thursday post comes in. If there's one thing I have learned about small towns it is that the whole community really gets behind the local school's sports teams! Here, right now, it's basketball season.  The population of our towns may not be big, but you can bet that the gym will be PACKED for a home basketball game! Even our movie theater acknowledges that small town sports are king and closes during basketball season. They know they won't get any business because folks are over at the school watching the game!  Sporting events, especially in small towns, are what really brings people together. Everyone loves to cheer on the local kids and feel pride in our community and schools!

This week at school, our basketball teams are headed to their District Tournament. Both Boys and Girls have a chance to knock of some rival teams and cause a few upsets, making it deep into the tourney, and hopefully on to Divisionals next week. At school, we had a big pep rally and assembly to send them off, planned by the parents of the Senior basketball players. I was really surprised at the turnout. Many of the players' families were present, but there was a decent number of community members there, too, just to cheer on the teams.

As the assembly went on, I really felt a great sense of pride and appreciation for this small town, this school, and this community. So, this week, I am officially stating how grateful I am to be living in a small town that takes its youth and its sports so seriously, and also makes it fun to cheer on the local team. Small towns like Rudyard (North Star Schools and community) and Arlington, IA are really where it's at when it comes to local sports. The businesses on Main Street may be closed or only open part-time, but that doesn't mean the soul of the place is dead. After having lived here and worked in the school, truly experienced what this time of year is like and the support that comes from everyone in the community, I know I am thankful and proud to call this place home! Small town that it is. :)