What is there about Edwardsburg that attracts people? Why would anyone want to come to Edwardsburg?

We know they don’t come to buy groceries or clothing. They can’t buy furniture or shoes. There are no hardware stores or plumbing supplies. No pharmacy.

Well, what makes Edwardsburg attractive?

Everyone would say the schools and the lakes are what attract people to live here. But other good things are happening here.

You can buy flowers, a used car, gourmet coffee, a good meal from a number of fast food restaurants to some fine dining establishments. You can get a haircut or a perm; do your banking with a real teller; buy gasoline if you can afford it; pick up a loaf of bread; buy insurance or a boat, fishing and hunting supplies. You can get your dog groomed or shots; buy a set of tires, have your income tax figured, order a pizza, or get a portrait made of you and your family. If you want a place to live, you can rent an apartment or buy a house, do your laundry or exercise.

But, how about the intangibles things you can do? You can listen to the birds each morning, or hear the crickets and frogs in the evening. You can sit by the lake and enjoy the peaceful water. You can watch any number of sports activities — baseball, softball and tennis — or enjoy doing absolutely nothing.

Watch the sunrise or sunset. Watch the sailboat races, or the ultra lights flying over.

These seem to be what attract people to Edwardsburg. And the crowds do come.

Watch a Memorial Day parade and squeeze into a good viewing place and try to get through the crowds at the Memorial Day festival. Go to a high school football game and you would swear it is the most winningest team in the area by the number of fans in the stands cheering. Or go to a high school graduation and see the pride in the eyes of the overflowing crowd trying to get a glimpse of the youth who are graduating.

Help at the triathlon and see the swimming, running and biking, or go to the Relay for Life and watch the Zumba dancers. Watch the number of people who come to town for the U.S. 12 garage sales, or stand in line at any number of locally sponsored fish fries, spaghetti or chicken dinners or chili cook-offs. See a circus or a high school play, concert or local theater group performance, or say hello to your neighbors and go to church.

Edwardsburg is a good place to live.

Let’s all celebrate with good times on its 100th birthday Sept. l down at Gunn Park on Pleasant Lake.