Who doesn’t walk their dog on Main Street? I see dogs on leashes all the time as I drive the trunkline. I walk our dogs, around the neighborhoods and, at the end, we circle back to Main St. It’s well-lit, the holiday garlands always magically appear with their sweet little lights to cheer up the dull winter evenings, and the traffic has diminished somewhat.
I am super happy to report my findings as I walk. I see little things that one might not notice as a driver. Besides, of course, I notice the working store fronts and the Chamber Park with the quaint gazebo and really cool history lesson on the mural. (It includes an all-new flip side with a Cheboygan welcome!) And I’ve seen something new since just this year (or was it earlier?): the trash containers with a recycle option. Yay! Not only that, if the rubbish bin lands next to a light post, it’s obvious to see a small container affixed to the post to receive cigarette butts. Based on the lack of spent cigarettes on the concrete, it would seem that walkers are taking advantage of the receptacles. (Hmm. Maybe one more thing would be helpful: doggy bags right on Main St.)
These changes are seemingly small-scale, but important additions that are visible and useful evidence that the people of Cheboygan care that visitors and locals, alike, feel welcome and comfortable. It seems a little silly, these thoughtful gestures, but I ask you to think a second. If you are invited to any commercial or residential space and no one indicates where the restroom is, causing you to ask, then, how do you feel? If there is not an obvious place to park your car or if that space is inconveniently far, how do you feel? If there is not an appropriate receptacle for your spent beverage cup, napkin, or ice cream spoon, how does that make you feel?
I praise the leaders and thinkers of this community who imagine something better or who travel, see a good idea, and bring it home. Once, John Vieau (from Vieau’s Clothing) informed me that, back in the day, the storefront owners would regularly start the day with a good wash-down of their front walks. Talk about dedication! It was their opportunity to welcome their customers; to put on their best “face.” Again, how does it feel to step up to a doorway crunching on dirt and old blown-in grime and leaves? It’s the little things, usually, that make an impact. Kudos to our shop owners who participate.
I think I can say for Cheboygan that we want it to be welcoming and comfortable. We want everyone to feel invested in our traditional lumbering town rooted in hard work, and personal dedication to the economy and each other. So, actually, the little things such as the trees, flowers, decorations, trash cans, and tidy storefronts aren’t really so little.