Good vs. Evil

The town of Rockaway is consumed with a battle of good vs. evil. According to our neighbor to the North, the “good people” now have political power and things are getting done again. According to our Southern neighbor, the “evil people” are now office and we should do anything we can to prevent them from being successful. It is sad, in a town this small, to see such polarization ripping the community apart. It mirrors what is currently going on in our nation and FOX news would have a heyday here.

We are staying out of the fray, not taking sides, and attending all events (no matter which “side” sanctions them). Seriously, I get enough of this in my daily life. So, Welcome to Switzerland also known as Saltair Station. Our little piece of paradise is the neutral zone.

We were encouraged to see one of the local restaurants has a poster adorning its wall with some advice. Advice, the town people, should heed. I offer it here as a reminder for all of us:

How to Build Community
Turn off your TV
Leave your house
Know your neighbors
Look up when you are walking
Greet people
Sit on your stoop
Plant flowers
Play together
Buy from local merchants
Share what you have
Help a lost dog
Take children to the park
Garden together
Support neighborhood schools
Fix it even if you didn’t break it
Have potlucks
Pick up litter
Read stories aloud
Dance in the street
Talk to the mail carrier
Listen to the birds
Put up a swing
Help carry something heavy
Barter for your goods
Start a tradition
Ask a question
Hire young people for odd jobs
Organize a block party
Bake extra and share
Open your shades
Sing together
Share your skills
Take back the night
Turn up the music
Turn down the music
Listen before you react to anger
Seek to understand
Learn from new and uncomfortable angles
Know that no one is silent though many are not heard
Work to change this!

So if you ever want to join us in "Switzerland," stop by our fire to look at the stars and swap stories, please pull up a chair. We love this community and hope it can find peace once again.