I was minding my own business, I really was. Then a bespectacled, curly blue topped, (not unlike Hallmark’s Maxine) great-grandmother sort, walked up to the cashier that was ringing up my purchase.
“Excuse me,” she said softly to the checker “do you know of anyplace local to stay for the night.”
When the cash register stopped clinking away the clerk looked at her a bit blankly. The woman persisted and filled in the quest with the details that she and another gal were returning to Idaho from down south and had detoured through Bend and onto Highway 22.
It seemed they thought they were closer to Washington but had become tired and wanted to stop for the night. Almost without blinking an eye the clerk retorted, “Well, you probably should have stayed in Bend or you’ll have to go into Salem . . there’s nothing here in Stayton!”
I was trying hard to get my feet to move me along out into the parking lot and the rest of my errand runs but I just couldn’t mind my own business any longer. This could have been my grandmother, aunt or heck, even me, in a few years. I couldn’t believe with a comfy inn perched on the hill just across the overpass and two wonderful bed and breakfasts in town these sweet tourists were being shuffled off to Salem.
“Excuse me,” (I heard my voice and knew dinner would have to wait an extra half hour). “I’m heading home and pass the old town area, about 5 minutes away. It has two nice bed and breakfasts plus restaurants, a neighborhood theater and shops within a few blocks.”
I was walking as I spoke and she was following. “Thanks SO MUCH,” she said, as she headed for her car and started excitedly telling her friend what she’d found out.
As serendipity would have it just as I pulled over to park in the shade, one of the proprietors was emerging from her car with a bag in hand. I introduced the trio, briefly explained the women’s plight and pointed up the street to confirm for them, the direction of the shopping district I’d mentioned earlier.
Not only are fossil fuels, which are way too expensive for sure, a precious resource but tourists are, too.
I remember a few years ago sitting in a branding meeting at the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. A business owner was sharing that he’d overheard a waitress reply when asked a simple question about where they could rent a movie, she didn’t know, she didn’t live here. Whether you live here and work elsewhere, or work here and live elsewhere, or best of all live here and love it as I have come to, isn’t it a good idea to know what’s available in the community?
There’s a very good chance that the two ladies not only spent the night but ate a meal out, saw a film, shopped a bit and most important, left feeling welcomed. That’s change in the bank of commerce and life.
*(I omitted the name of the business where this adventure started because we all make mistakes and tomorrow, or on another day, I will, too, and I know one of you will be there to back me up). There’s no place like hometown, sigh!)
