| Mrs. Murfreesboro: Sept. 11 taught us to enjoy |
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By: JEANNE BRAGG, Post Columnist
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Posted: Sunday, September 13, 2009 7:04 am
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I wish I could plop this computer on my side porch and bask in the sunshine as I type away today. Could the beautiful weather be any more pleasant? I don’t think so.
We could use a couple of days of wet, soaking rain at our house, but we’ve gotten more than we did last year and can’t complain too much. I bet it’s going to be a beautiful fall.
These idyllic days remind me of the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. I began that day by thinking, “Could it get any better?” and then, as history shows, it got worse. Because I watched the plane hit the second tower while I was working out, I was fortunate to have reached my daughter Beth immediately to see that she was OK.
Beth was headed into New York City on a train from Connecticut for a job interview and fortunately answered her phone before the phone lines became tied up. Sept. 11th taught us many things, and among the lessons learned is we are not promised a tomorrow: enjoy every day. Just ask the family of Doug Tedder about that.
A little over three months ago I took a photo of Doug standing at the bottom of my staircase, hugging his daughter Jana. Last week he was laid to rest due to complications from a brain tumor. Our prayers and sympathy go to Doug’s family and his fellow workers. He will be missed. Doug was the owner of a reputable business in this community, and we are so fortunate to have other businesses of his integrity here.
And despite the hard economic times, there are still many “fun” places to shop. Bungalow, a “shabby chic” antique/gift store previously located at 308 E. Vine Street just opened its second location on the South Side of the Public Square, following the trend of Ray Hines & Co. (115 & 123 South Church St).
Bungalow’s original location on Vine Street specializes in furniture and will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. while its location on the Square is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.. Cute things are there to be found. There’s always something new at Funtiques consignment store (118 S. Maple St. on the Square). It is open two weekends each month from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and if they’re closed while you walk by, check out their great Web site for photos of upcoming “stuff” and sale items (www.funtiquesconsignment.com).
Locally owned Leslie’s Shop on the Avenue recently sold to e. Allen, which specializes in apparel and accessories. Elizabeth Allen, new owner, would love for you to stop by. While there, you could support the 3/50 project, a national initiative to save local businesses.
The 3/50 concept was introduced to me by Jane Jones of Peddler Interiors (in my opinion, one of the prettiest shops in the country). The 3/50 concept was formulated to encourage residents to spend $50 a month among three independently owned businesses that you would miss if they disappeared.
I know many of us would miss the Peddler if it was gone. The 3/50 website says that for every $100 spent locally, $68 would be returned to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. This is compared to $43 being returned by a national chain and nothing returned if spent online. If tough times make it difficult to buy something for yourself, but you still purchase gifts, you might consider the Peddler or other local businesses before buying from an online registry. It could portend more prosperous economic times ahead.
‘Til next week. |
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By: justdance on 9/14/09
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