Published: November 06, 2009 05:02 pm      

BELCHER: Our Little Town

Not the Simon and Garfunkel song ... it’s how things work

I’ve referenced this before, but it bears repeating to make my point (something that most folks say I rarely do — make a point, that is).

Many years ago, I helped out with an “ad campaign” for the Chamber of Commerce promoting Corsicana. The theme was “Everything I need is right here in Corsicana.”

Of course, we all know that “everything” is not really here, but “most” everything is, and the intent of that particular campaign was to focus on the “everyday” things and quality of life, not necessarily whether one could obtain a replacement hood ornament for a 1957 Oldsmobile on the shelf at Corsicana Auto Parts. And, maybe you can, but I’ve never tried. Maybe the new owner has expanded that particular line.

Anyway ...

That particular “past life experience” came to mind again this week during a newsroom conversation.

We were brainstorming (yes, it does happen in the Daily Sun newsroom) trying to come up with sources for information about an event from a few decades ago. Of course, we did some research in our archives, but were trying to identify specific individuals we could ask about the subject that are still around today.

That’s where the beauty of a small town really comes into play — its people, and their knowledge. And, sadly, we’ve lost some very valuable resources through the past few years — people with that knowledge of the past.

But, we still have plenty of folks around with the institutional and historical knowledge that can either tell us what we need to know, or point us in the right direction.

That’s where our brainstorming became so fun — figuring out not only who might know, but who might know who would know! Kind of like the “Six Degrees” game in a way.

“Why don’t you call (Joe Smith),” one would say. “He might not know, but I bet he’d know someone who would!”

That’s kind of how it went for about a half-hour, and a half-dozen ideas for contacts came to mind. And, some of those contacts actually paid off in the aforementioned “know someone who would (or might) know” scenario.

“Get to the point, Belcher.” Yes, I hear you saying it now. Fair enough.

Unlike the hood ornament for the 1957 Oldsmobile, the combined knowledge of our people who call Corsicana and Navarro County home is something that you won’t find at a fancy Dallas shopping mall or on a listing on E-bay, or even a wrecking yard in Irving.

It’s something that is uniquely ours — maybe not born here, but certainly “bred” here, and useful in so many, many ways.

I recall many years ago (not in Corsicana, but I’m sure something similar has happened here) standing in line in a grocery store. It was in a small town, even smaller than Corsicana. The guy in front of me and the store’s checker were engaged in conversation about a car — a Volkswagen “Bug” as I recall. The conversation was about the search for a part (no, they didn’t have hood ornaments) for the fashionable little vehicle, and how difficult a time he was having locating said part.

Well, the checker didn’t know, but said “I know a guy who might,” and picked up the telephone and called someone and asked about the part. He then scribbled down a phone number and gave the slip of paper to the guy in line saying “Here’s a guy who is ‘parting one out’ and he might have what you’re looking for.”

No, I don’t know if he got his part. But I do know I’ve remembered that day standing in line at the store, and thinking that sort of thing probably wouldn’t happen in a bigger town.

The equation? People, plus knowledge, equals a commodity you can’t put a price tag on, and can’t find anywhere else but right here at home.

And we’re rich beyond belief in that asset here in Navarro County.

And that’s one more reason I’m happy to be right where I am, in Corsicana, Texas, U.S.A.

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Bob Belcher is Managing Editor of the Daily Sun. His column appears on Sundays. He may be reached by e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this column? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com