Pool: A little kindness long remembered
In “A Streetcar Named Desire” Blanche DuBois said: “Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
A little kindness goes a long way. Too often we dwell on cruelties instead of the kindnesses shown us. Word of the declining health of one of Mother’s friends made me think of her with gratefulness for her kindness.
She was so kind when Mother’s illness meant she could no longer drive to church. This sweet lady would pick her up and take her to church. It meant the world to Mother, not only going to church, which was so important to her, but getting out of the house and seeing people. She was so isolated during this time. Now that lady needs a ride.
I love that lady because of her kindness to my mother. Her dementia is now so pronounced I cannot tell her because she would not know what I am talking about. This lovely lady has a lovely family who is taking care of her. That is the way of kindness. You are kind in a moment but it is remembered for a lifetime.
Downtown
On another subject I am very concerned about the match for the grant for work downtown. Last July the council voted to pursue the Main Streetscapes Project with the Department of Transportation Enhancement Funds with a 20-percent match.
The estimated $724,744 project includes the federal share of $579,795.20, and Roanoke’s match will be $144,948.80.
Due to lower construction costs on other projects in the state there were funds left over that the city hoped to get for the match. Those hopes were recently dashed with the news we wouldn’t get the matching funds. This may be the last opportunity to do this work downtown because the grants have to be used on state highways, and Highway 22 may possibly be rerouted.
Last July Mayor Mike Fisher said the city would not have to pay its portion for two years but now one year is gone.
There is no good time to start a fundraising campaign. People are going on vacations, playing softball and baseball and it is so hot.
But college football will be starting up the first of September and we know in the South everything has to be planned around football–everything.
Then come the holidays.
In today’s economy people will likely have less to donate so there will have to be more fundraisers raising smaller amounts.
Just a suggestion. Someone or some organization needs to take this bull by the horns and set up a planning committee. There are some festivals and events coming up such as the August 28 year of Alabama Small Towns & Downtowns event in Wadley where Roanoke could have some kind of booth to sell donated items such as crafts or cakes to make money for the match.
Or in a Wadley versus Roanoke event some well-known Roanoke personality could agree to be dunked in a tank—for a price. Just an idea, but planning meetings need to begin soon.
If I remember last July’s council meeting correctly it seemed the promotion to get the matching money was primarily going to be left up to the community. It will take a lot of work to raise almost $145,000.
Downtown is changing.
A fine old landmark, Phillips Brothers Hardware, is up for auction this Saturday. I hope somebody will buy it and put a wonderful store there. Kesa Johnston and Jim Dunn are in the process of restoring the gorgeous old City Bank & Trust Company on the corner of Knight Avenue and Main Street.
Next door, what was once Frances Fetner’s The Yardstick, is looking much, much better as Larry Cohen is cleaning out the interior. Lamar Davis has donated the old Snax Deli to the city, which is deciding what to do with it. Bobby Walls has boarded up the shell of what was once the old, old City Cafe next to Peggy Sherman’s store. There are other positive signs for downtown such as the city’s boarding up the old World Bazaar building.
There are negative ones too. The briefly opened Grandma’s Variety Store in Phillips Brothers is auctioning off its inventory Saturday and closing. Across the street what was once the Now and Then Emporium is now closing and consolidating its inventory in the old Chris Gay building next to The Galley restaurant on the bypass.
Blockbuster Video and Now Showing have closed on the bypass but a Verizon Wireless store and Subway are going to open in one of the buildings.
Business ebbs and flows. Some of today’s most successful businesses were started during the depression of the 1930s. Today’s recession might be the optimum time for some business to start. As I walk my dog down Chestnut Street towards Main Street I am always struck by the beautiful skyline, the spires of the downtown churches above the beauty of the old bank building and the old City Cafe building.
There is junk but there is also beauty, and beauty doesn’t come along every day.
