By Jason Sethre
Publisher
Fillmore County Journal
jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com
It seems like the month of November moves along pretty fast. Thanksgiving Day arrives and before we know it we are gearing up for Christmas.
This is a special time of year.
Small Business Saturday
This week’s newspaper includes a section promoting our local small businesses working together to promote Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 29. We strongly encourage our readers to shop local and support these local businesses, but not just between now and Christmas.
We need to think about it year-round.
The Fillmore County Journal has an office in Caledonia on South Kingston Street, and our reporter Charlene Corson Selbee let me know that we had some lights burned out in the office.
After determining which lights we needed, I stopped by Caledonia True Value and found what I needed. I chatted with owner Pat and her daughter Renee at the front counter. Jim and Pat Jennings have owned the store since 2003. I appreciate the fact that I could drive down the street from our office, pick up what I needed and change light bulbs within minutes.
The reason I’m making mention of this simple task of picking up lightbulbs is because shopping local isn’t exclusively about buying local for the holidays.
The owners of Caledonia True Value helped me solve a problem efficiently. We are fortunate to have many local family-owned hardware stores and lumberyards in our area.
What I appreciate about walking into any of these businesses is that someone will always help you find what you are looking for, and if they don’t have it they will give you options. In some cases, if they don’t have what you need they can order it for you. Some people think they can save money by driving 45 minutes to a big box store. Really, when you factor in drive time and gas, it’s better to shop local. What is your time worth? Plus, I’ve noticed our local merchants are very competitive on prices.
You’ll see an ad in our newspaper often. It says, “When you buy from a mom and pop business, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom or dad put food on the table, a family pay a mortgage, or a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders and they are the ones we strive to make happy. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES!”
These local businesses, along with many others, donate to 4-H, FFA, fire departments, school sports, arts and academic programs. And, they get hit up for donations nearly every day.
If you are asking for donations from these local businesses, I hope you are spending money with them in a reciprocal manner.
We are very lucky to have these options available for when we need something. Quite often, when I’m shopping locally, I tell the staff that I’m so glad their store is there for when we need them.
A Season of Giving
We’ve published stories over the years about how the local food shelf is in need of your support. When you drop off food or money at your local food shelf, you are supporting your neighbors in need. Whatever you can spare will be appreciated.
For any family missing out on a holiday gathering, we can give them a call and let them know we love them and they are appreciated.
A “thank you” card goes a long way. You don’t even have to include a gift. Your message can be enough of a gift. In today’s world, people receive fewer cards with a written message. Telling someone how much you appreciate them and why is so meaningful to the recipient.
Lastly, I want to remind anyone interested in the 17th annual Fillmore County Turkey Day Run, the event will start at 8 am at the trailhead of the Root River State Bike Trail in Fountain, Minn. Over nearly two decades, the event has changed a little with the route and options. For those who want a challenge, the trek from Fountain to Lanesboro is roughly 11.2 miles. You can walk, run or bike (as long as the trail isn’t icy). Some people will bring their dog to join in on the exercise. Some participants have opted for the shorter route finishing up right around Highway 17 where there’s a small parking lot, which trims the run down to about five miles. We do have some warriors who will complete the entire run in record time. It’s a great way to start Thanksgiving Day, burning some calories before we consume some tryptophan. There is no cost to participate. We only ask for a donation to the food shelf.
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