Pages

Monday, August 25, 2014

23 March 2014 An Era Ends

"Nothing stays the same... Everything changes... Usually not for the better." -me

The local Agway has been a part of our home in Pennsylvania for a long time. It's always been a favorite spot for me to stop on relaxing Saturday mornings each spring to look at nursery items to plant. I've always found something of quality here. It's been our go to place for basil plants and perennials. It's been a place to get food for our dogs... tools... supplies... muck boots. It won't be any more.

The business is closed and the land has been sold so a Family Dollar can be built. Youngsville doesn't have a lot going for it, but this store was a place to find what you needed. Now that useful convenience will be gone so a cheap retail store can settle in 500 feet from a Dollar General. It's not an improvement. It wasn't about the shopping or the store. It was about a place to go and explore. It was about a tradition. It was a local store with local owners serving the residents.

The blossom below is from one of the many rhododendrons I planted one spring many, many years ago. I was travelling back and forth to a site for work and spending the weekends in PA. One Saturday morning while I was waiting for Ali to arrive, I drove to this Agway and bought most of their rhododendrons, about two dozen. I then set about planting them around the house and in the woods. At least each spring we will have a yard full of beautiful blossoms.

At some point, it would be nice to see something stay. Tradition and community should count for something. This was a sad day.

No comments: