“Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.” – Mahatma Ghandi

This week I had the pleasure and opportunity of attending the training and information meeting held in Niles by the Michigan Main Street program. Although my brain was in overload by the end of the day from such a deluge of data, my heart center was filled with inspiration and vision, too.

For, shining brightly, on the numerous Power Point slides of the before and afters of Main Street communities was … the Truth.

The truth, like many of our assets on Broadway Street, is waiting for us to clear the cobwebs. Ancient Vedic wisdom states that “The truth alone is victorious.” However, the truth needs action in order to shine. Action requires engagement.

There were two things that really stood out for me from the many, and I mean many, ideas, instructions and templates we were given. One was being told to look at what you “have” that is unique and an asset to your downtown. The second was the importance of embracing community-wide support, thereby, engaging action-oriented people who will help to bring about the transformation of the main street, which in turn, transforms the community as a whole.

We are very blessed with so many assets in our midst.

The vintage courthouse, Stone Lake and Sinclair Station are three that stand out but most important are the beautiful people who have businesses and tenacity to continue to operate them even when there are cobwebs to be cleared. There are towns I’m sure, who wish for such a great foundation. We have it.

It is truth.

The next step is active engagement.

I would like to personally invite each and every one of our community members to be part of the transformation of our village and the community at large.

In a nutshell, Michigan Main Street is a grassroots, community and volunteer driven strategy encouraging economic development through historic preservation. It takes everyone working together to bring about a vibrant community.

Are you willing to roll up your sleeves and make Cassopolis shine? To enhance the quality of living? To preserve our past while embracing our future?

The Main Street group meets the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Casopolis Village Hall, second floor, 117 S. Broadway St.

The public is invited. Please join us to learn more. Every voice is important, all hands make light work and together we will walk in our downtown and feel the spirit of community.

 

CeeCee Wilson is the organizer of Cass Can, Inc. and owner of Last Tagine in Paris, LLC. Find them on Facebook.