Well, What Do We Have Here?
Author: Bill Garwood
Well, What Do We Have Here?
Many times, I wax poetic about our town, so what exactly do we have here? I’m glad you asked, you see so many people from all over the country never really look at their towns. Cities yes because if you don’t look at your city and know where NOT to go, you can get robbed or worse.
While looking for a place to live/retire to or just visit, you have to do in-depth research on the towns you visit. Does it have EVERYTHING I/we are looking for in a new hometown? Almost 13 years ago (Ye gads, it’s been that long?) we were looking for a retirement town, where we could have everything, we needed for the future. We looked all over Montana but found “Bupkis”. Then “On a day like no other”. (can’t you just hear a booming announcer’s voice saying that?) we found Townsend, we took our time and looked all over.
We wanted a town with a great selection of stores and businesses, with a good grocery store a high priority! We wanted a few good restaurants with a variety of foods….well a Montana variety is differently cooked meat & potatoes. Hardware stores, (at that time there were 3). Mostly we were looking for a town where the “Community” came together for various gatherings. When we looked around town in 2011 the whole town gathered for the High school “Homecoming” parade WOW! The entire town was lining both sides of Broadway, cheering on the school. Outstanding! That pretty much set in stone where we wanted to settle.
I am hoping the new folks in Townsend, take the time to look around; we have a great place here. The courthouse provides licenses, (driving and hunting / fishing), mechanics shops are around, everyone has their favorite. And FOOD, we have many eateries here. (Which shows how are population is growing, in more ways than one.) The shops are all around, but EVERYBODY knows: If you can’t find something, go to Judy’s Trading post, she has everything!
To me, the best thing is: walking into a shop and being greeted by the local shopkeepers. I won’t say “everybody knows everybody", but pretty darn close. NO, it’s NOT “Mayberry”, just a friendly Montana town. Coming here to retire? Or maybe start a business, c’mon in. (our Church to Bar ratio is pretty good.) We have a great school, which is well supported by the town, even a lodge where they have plays & dances.
Our crime rate is LOW, mostly because the local Police know everybody! (It’s those outsiders that cause any trouble.) So look around, get to know your new hometown, I think you will like it….of course you can’t please everyone.
Stay well Folks, this spring weather probably won’t last long.
