How to renovate, make hometown more attractive

by Denise Dykstra

There are two types of people — Those who think something should be done and those who do it.

This week I met someone who decided to do something.

When arriving in Martin this summer, one may have noticed a few changes around the village.  The Martin sign that greets you is recently repainted, there is a new coat of paint on the Clipper Cafe, the spiffy new updates at the Little Clipper Daycare, the facelift at Clipper Salon, decorated windows around town (such as at Arena’s) and in the school, weeded and bright gardens at the school and a few other things here and there.

Once you start looking for them, you see the improvements all over.

I recently sat down with the individual who sparked this improvement wave.  “I don’t want this to be about me,” I was told, “I want it to be about the community.”

Because of this, they would rather their name not even be mentioned.

What started as weed pulling at the elementary school during their child’s tripleheader ball game, started a ripple effect that is continuing to gain waves.

“I just needed to move around and that front garden had really become overgrown.  The secretary was out for knee surgery and I found out she usually coordinates the care of the garden, but she wasn’t there.  So I  thought, ‘I can weed this.”’ And so I did.”

But this person knew from past experience that the impact would be felt more if students helped, and so a request was made and soon various classes were coming out to weed and redecorate the front garden, as well as the school walkway flower pots.

“I just left some very strategic weeds to be pulled so they all felt like they had helped and it didn’t take long at all.  The pots were filled with hostas we split from the front garden.  The kids had so much fun, and that was the best part.”

“That’s how it started,” they explained, “Once I did that, I looked for a project in the north, east, west and south of the town.”

Our community helper who had just received a Cricut machine as a gift noticed the Clipper’s Salon sign needed some help.  “I couldn’t wait to use my new Cricut and this seemed like the perfect project to use it on!”

This community activist, bounding with energy, walked in and said “Hello!  I see your sign needs some help.  Could I make you a new sign?”

“How much would it cost me?” the store owner asked.

“Nothing.  I just want to make you a new sign.”

Who could turn that down?

What amazed me as I talked with this bubbly individual was how they just walked in and asked if they could.  “I almost always had the materials on hand.  So it wasn’t much money out, it was just time.”

For instance, the red barn paint that was left over from the project at their own home was the perfect red to repaint the Clipper Cafe… and some kids needing community hours suddenly had a project on which they could help. on. That same red paint worked for the Welcome to Martin sign.

Clipper Cafe donated some money toward the paint going on the restaurant and that money was used to paint the Little Clippers Daycare.

“Good begets good,” the happy individual informed me, “After we painted the daycare, the lady next door was inspired to paint her house.  And then the people across the street redesigned their landscape.  And on it goes.  Good begets good,” they repeated.

At first the initial plan was to do what they could do before Martin’s Memorial Day parade.  “But I have about 50 irons in the fire and I’m not done yet.”

Part of the inspiration of this village makeover was watching the show “Home Town Takeover.”  In the show, Ben and Erin Napier (and a crew of HGTV “Avengers”) take over a small town, Watumpka, Ala.

“I looked at what could be done.  It wasn’t about me.  Like at Arena’s Pizza.  It’s hot in there and they are working hard.  They take their breaks outside and all they have is a little step to the back door.  I had two old chairs in a barn that I wasn’t using and wouldn’t be.  So I thought, ‘I would like a chair to sit on during my break’ and I brought it to them.  It’s never about me.  I try to ask what would speak to them?  What would make people realize they have been seen and that someone cares?  When I figure that out, then I can gift them my time to do something for them.”

Listening to this person talk, I was just floored at what they had accomplished in such a short time.  “How could someone do this in their own home town?” I asked.

They related some key points:

• Start small

• Gain support

• Find ways to bring the community together

• Keep in mind the history (such as Martin once being known as the Onion Kings)

I listened as this person talked about their very intensive job, their family, some other projects and still what they wanted to accomplish for Martin.  “How do you do it all?” I asked.

“I don’t have a  lot of time,” this person explained (I’ll add that I feel like this is a large under statement).  “But I choose what to spend my time on to fill up my cup.  The fastest way to fill your cup is to serve others, and this statement is coming to you from a worn down tired out nurse.  It fills my cup to help others and this is a fun way I can help and make an impact on others.” This person shrugged and then said it again, ” It fills my cup.  And hopefully my good will keep helping others do more good.”

Keep an eye out, Martin.  There are some plans being thought out.  There are still projects all over that just require us to open our eyes and do.  It’s the same for every one of us reading this.  Look around and do something good today for the simple act of just doing good.

How could you make something good to help others this week?