Sunday, March 22, 2009

Tiny town?

There's a great article in todays Hutchinson News about Tribune, a town the article tabbed as tiny. Made me smile. Tribune is population 1,297 making it bigger than 73% of the incorporated cities in Kansas. There are a total of 627 incorporateds.

The article should read as a symbol of hope and possibilities. Young people and alumni have been moving back to Tribune. One couple moved back because it is the home town of the husband. The wife had been used to working in Denver. She was skeptical but now loves has learned the virtues of small town life and loves it!

There are five doctors at the medical center. A new mother-to-be is thrilled with the quality of care she and the baby are receiving and she's comforted knowing nearby family will help with the baby. Regarding day care, since everyone knows the providers she trusts that as well.

The young couple was able to buy a house and are in the process of fixing it up. They could afford to do that in this "tiny town."

This tiny town needed entertainment so the community got behind a theater project and it's now open and run by volunteers. They saw a need, set their mind to it, and did it.

Christy Hopkins, community development extraordinaire for Greeley County, has figured out that roughly 73 people in the age bracket of 20-40 have moved into the county since 2005. That is fantastic! And quite a testament. But then Christy, one of those assets, is great energy to be around. Good energy attracts...

Some folks might think that it's a waste of money to have a hospital in such a tiny town. Talk to the people that live in this area and they'll tell you they don't choose to live anywhere else. We're talking priceless here.

Some people would say Tribune is "out in the boonies." Maybe it is to some, but to others it's just home, a really, really good place to live. What a great testament for Kansas.

Tribune/Greeley County, you're a great role model. Keep up the inspired living! Your story will help the world "Get Kansas!"

KE #2 Marci Penner

1 comment:

Emily Behlmann said...

I've been extremely impressed with Tribune's efforts toward community development. They seem to have caught on to something a lot of towns struggle with — looking past minor disagreements so they all can focus on a common goal that benefits them all. It's frustrating to watch people get caught up in the small stuff, and it hinders progress. Maybe Greeley County can let others in on their secret for unity...