Yes It’s True: Main Street promotes a happenin’ town

“There’s them that do, and then there’s them that just talk. The talkers are the lip flappers.” — Disc jockey Ed Buchanan of WLAV-FM.

I’ve needed to adjust to the personality and approach of Holly McPherson, Wayland’s latest director of the Main Street program. I’ve had to adjust because she’s more of a doer than a talker.

I have grown to dislike politicians over these many years because they talk a lot about they intend to do, but don’t come through because it’s so easy to blame the loyal opposition for obstruction.

One of the worst examples came in 2009 and 2010 when Democrats owned 59 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate and accomplished very little, blaming obstructionist Republicans, who share the blame. The two parties spend far too much time trying to make the other look bad while getting virtually nothing done on behalf of the people.

No so Holly McPherson.

Wayland’s current Main Street director is a good example of an activist who implements her ideas very quickly. In the short time she has been here, she has transformed a sleepy bedroom community into a viable option when people ask about what they can do this weekend.

McPherson’s style may not be to everyone’s liking, particularly those who want change and reform to move along more slowly. She’s not impatient, but she doesn’t dawdle, she doesn’t waste time. She gets things done.

Her most recent project was unveiled Wednesday night at the City Council meeting. It is a remodeling job for the alley behind the Wayland Hotel, traversing from West Superior south one block to Pine Street. She suggests implementing seating, a paint job for the road and other amenities to make the small artery more user friendly for visitors and for local residents, especially during celebrations.

Not everyone is enthusiastic about the idea, but it demonstrates once again a willingness to try new things and make Wayland more of a place to visit and spend money.

I haven’t seen this kind of aggressive promotion from Main Street since Alicia Zylstra stepped down.

Other projects she has championed include:

• Downtown music programs on consecutive Wednesday evenings, July 12, July 19 and July 26.

• Restoring the local Summer celebration to being called Summerfest and scheduling it early, in mid-June.
• Sidewalk Chalk Days from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 3, 10 and 17 in conjunction with the Friday night “After Dark” movie series for children and families.
• A centennial celebration of the venerable Baugh’s Shoe Store and Repair on South Main Street June 3, honoring Alan Baugh, who has owned and operated for many years the business his father started in 1923. A dessert truck and band was on hand and Women of Wayland sponsored a “Battle of the Bands” to raise money for a sculpture in the Mini-Park dedicated to the children of Wayland who were lost too soon.
• This is not to mention the musical presentations in the City Park on consecutive Friday evenings in August, actually organized by City Clerk LeAnne Clausen.

Wayland this summer is looking like a happening little town, awakening from the slumber produced by the Covid-19 crisis. Holly McPherson deserves at least some of the credit.