A Bubble Off Plumb

The weekend coming up is the stuff towns dream of.

First, there will be Bikes and BBQ, where motorcycle lovers of all stripes come to town to see one another, talk shop, visit vendors and fill the streets with the sound of thunder.

There is the Kiwanis spring trail ride, which will bring in riders, owners and support people from all over. Some people may think that isn’t any big deal because it’s just a bunch of people with horses. Except they are people with a lot of costly equipment and trailers and trucks, just like the bikers aren’t a bunch of gang members. These pursuits are hobbies that the enthusiasts put money into, a lot of money. And they could go anywhere any weekend, but they are coming to Watonga.

What are they going to see?

A town that is working to change and develop economically. A town with cleaner streets and roadwork going on. A little city that is taking pride in itself and doing all it can to be attractive to new residents. A place where a brand new house on a decent size lot can be purchased for $150,000. Not $250,000 and up.

No one coming to or driving through town can miss the Jolly Green Giant going up behind the high school. They will see a school district reaching for excellence and willing to build the facilities for that excellence. No, children don’t need great gyms and football fields to be great, but they do need the message education is worth the effort. Not to mention that the field is already a hot commodity for postseason play because of the surface. The gym will be just as desirable for tournaments and playoffs.

Visitors are going to see a town on the cusp of greatness. A place where the senior center is open, vibrant, and sells excellent desserts and coffee to top off that barbecue from street vendors. It is a place where there is room on Main Street for new endeavors, businesses and shops. Sure, not all of it is beautiful today, but some of it could be bought for a song, even when the cost of renovation is added.

There is room for growth, the infrastructure is catching up with demand and the changes needed for that growth are being made. The cost of living is lower than many areas, even with the sales tax that is paying for the upgrades.

In a nutshell, the Watonga of today is home to as many possibilities as the Watonga of 1892. It is a place to come, make a home and a business, create jobs and grow the economy.

What may make the difference to someone making that kind of decision, or even kicking it around in the back of their mind? The welcome they get. How they get treated by the locals in stores, streets and churches.

If a visitor is treated like dirt, like their presence is more of a curse than a blessing and the residents can’t wait for them to leave, they won’t look forward to coming back. They probably won’t come back.

On the other hand, if visitors get the famous Southern hospitality, treated like royalty to folks who would give them the shirt off their back, it will create a whole different impression. They will look for reasons to come back, to stop here for gas or supper, to spend money in our businesses and maybe move here to open a business of their own.

It is our weekend to shine and put our best foot forward. Put a smile on your face and welcome the future, the Watonga you want to see.