Both the Courier and the N&R had stories on Asheboro's first chili cook-off. It was a beautiful day for it and they had a great turn-out. Very good.
"Asheboro heats up!" proclaimed the N&R. And the Courier's story (of course) boasted of the long lines that formed at Asheboro's first beer tent. The powers-that-be love to rub it in on Sunday morning.
So actually, folks, old Asheboro really is dead.
There are still a few of us around who think that's beyond sad. But eat mor chili!
I was home, but did not attend. Apart from the ordeal the previous evening, my Mom's brother and sister both came down from Virgina . . . and my sister-in-law brought down my baby niece (who is now mobile). We had our own cook-off. My Mama is a machine in the kitchen.
I am the eldest child of this bunch - and now the only one without kids. I watch everybody chase the little "crack babies" all over the place, and I am grateful for my sweet nothings at home. I feel like an elder - for I can remember some of the things & people my Mother and her siblings talk about - whereas the younger cousins cannot. And I rather like it.
I also rather like the feeling that my Father is close by. He was close yesterday. Sometimes I think he whispers in that "crack baby's" ear;)
Back on topic, both news stories played heavily on the "Asheboro's not dying" theme (the N&R a little more pathetically & childishly so than the Courier).
One of the attendees was quoted as saying, "I don't think Asheboro's a dying town, I think it's a changing town."
I think so too. I actually think this town needs a whole lot MORE change.
And to that end I shall continue to work.
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2 comments:
Death...a permanent change.
Ouch.
Some other comments:
"I can't see how serving chili and dancing in the street can do much for all the lost business around there, but if it makes folks feel better, maybe that's okay. I doubt that Forbes sent anyone to cover the event, just as well I suppose. While you don't think that it's dying, I am concerned that it could at least be very sick, and not know it."
And another:
" . . . if you want to see what it looks like down the road, just look at Mount Airy. Lots of closed factories, but they have all sorts of cutesy shops and a festival that promotes Mayberry. It's a living, but not much of one."
Asheboro got to this point for a reason. You cannot just skip happily forward unless you look at the reasons why . . . indeed, even move to rectify some of the mistakes that were made.
But far be it from me to talk back to the powers-that-be.
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