Acceptance vital to economic survival

Things seem to be going well for the Town of Andrews, and I hope that I don’t jinx what they have already.
Their Saturday morning open market is growing in leaps and bounds, nearly doubling every week. There are more patrons than produce so far and plenty of room for small, home growers who just have a little extra row in their garden.
The fact that they aren’t limiting the products much also means those with crafts and seedlings showed up and it’s a fresh climate for larger growers as well.
Organizer Eric Carlson promised that there will be music available some day and suggested that local businessman and town alderman Steve Jordan might be in the area to bring his group to pick and strum to the early risers this Saturday.
That is what is needed thus far, because the best produce goes very early – usually between 8-9 a.m. Although there are some products available later, you really have to be more lucky than good to get what you’re seeking.
There was also a community meeting this week at the Cole House restaurant and David Quinn of Handmade in America was there to welcome the community and encourage people to keep a positive outlook on the upcoming grant program.
Although it’s too early to tell just how much money is available for Andrews, the town is very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time when a position opened up in the western cluster or group of towns south of Asheville that include places like Bryson City and Hayesville.
By pooling their resources and efforts it is possible to get the statewide attention and grant money typically only reserved for much larger towns with extensive staffs.
Quinn emphasized working together on a regional basis to encourage people to stay in Andrews, not only for our festivals, but on the way to or from other happenings in nearby Clay or Graham Counties.
Under that concept we would also advocate their festivals and they, ours, on a a more regional outlook of the economic picture.
One last thing that Quinn emphasized was the transient nature of settlers to western North Carolina. He reminded people with intense pride in their own heritage that most current families were not here just 500 years ago. So whether your mom or dad, or even you, came to the area last week, last year, 100 or 200 years ago, we’re all newcomers here and need to get along.
He stressed that it is vitally important from a social and economic standpoint. The ability of a community to assimilate outsiders into its society is directly proportionate to its ability to succeed.
Our future depends on it.