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Have you ever lived in a place where you felt special? Where you felt you were more than just another random, anonymous person – but actually a valued, contributing member of the community? Truly participating? If so, you know the importance that our small towns and tight knit communities play – not only in our day-to-day living – but also in how we feel connected to one another and how we feel about ourselves. This feeling is what the Sunshine Initiative is all about. Reinvigorating our sense of pride, positivity, and local connectedness – truly caring about others – and doing all you can to support a renewed vitality for the community in which you live.
Back in the February 1942 issue of The Atlantic magazine, an article was written by Arthur Morgan, a civil engineer and former head of the Tennessee Valley Authority, titled “The Community—The Seed Bed of Society.” In it, Morgan made the case for communities and most notably, small towns, which he claimed were becoming, “orphaned in an unfriendly world” to things like commercialism and modern technology. While people made the moves to big cities and didn’t worry about the future of small towns, Morgan argued that small towns throughout history have consistently been at the forefront of society’s evolution. He continued by stating, “it’s in small towns where things like good will towards others, acceptance, debate, and our own humanity not only flourish, but are transmitted throughout other communities and transcend generations.” In short, he made the argument that it’s in small towns where the idea of community begins. Fast forward to 2023, and Morgan’s words still ring true.
This coming week in my hometown of Newport, New Hampshire and in other communities across the state, we’ll be celebrating Sunshine Week, a series of events and discussions that honor our small towns and look to the future of how we support them. At a time when small towns across the country are struggling to make ends meet or have been left behind all together, it’s important that we remember, to Morgan’s point, just how essential these communities are to the fabric of the United States.
While small towns in most cases may not be the home of massive multinationals or provide the “conveniences” of a big city, what they do provide in return is something we all long for, and that is community. When residents have the chance to say ‘hi’ on the street and truly get to know each other, there’s a unique spirit of pride and cooperation that can take hold. Where there is familiarity, there tends to be trust, and where there is trust, there is positive action and then positive change. The philosopher de Tocqueville even wrote about this during his journey through America. Of the communities he observed he stated that neighbors who at first worked together out of necessity eventually worked together out of choice as a means of ensuring that their community survived and then thrived.
As we look ahead to Sunshine Week, it’s our goal to champion small towns. This means not only building community but building the infrastructure and opportunities that make small towns a viable place to live. Yet this comes with patience, believing that there’s a difference to be made, and making small strides, one day at a time. Where there’s positive energy, there’s positive action – which in turn leads to positive change!
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