A Field of Dreams

“We just don't recognize life's most significant moments while they're happening. Back then I thought, ‘Well, there'll be other days’. I didn't realize that that was the only day.”

~Archie Graham (Burt Lancaster) in Field of Dreams - 1989

Okay, big surprise. I am a dude who likes baseball. More specifically I like baseball movies. Even more specific than that, two of my all time favorite movies are “Field of Dreams” and “For Love of the Game”. I think Kevin Costner missed his calling in making movies and should have been a baseball player – not really.

There is something about baseball that is just so romantic, manly and American. It is hard to put into words but the heat of the summer, the smell of the leather, the grit of the dirt in your hands and the sounds of a wooden bat cracking is just magical. It reminds me of my childhood summers.

If you are like me and you love the game too, we have an excellent opportunity coming up to see some great baseball. In just a little over a week, Laurel and Jones County will have tons of people, players and professionals descending on us to enjoy the Dixie Youth World Series for the second time!

In all of those players, coaches, parents and grandparents coming in, it is obvious to see that not everyone will be spending 24/7 at the ball field. Some of them will be coming to eat in our restaurants. Some will be coming to Wal-Mart, sporting goods stores, the mall and grocery stores to pick up last minutes items or things they forgot to bring on their trip. Some will just need a break and will be looking for things to do outside of baseball.

I say all of this not to get your blood boiling that the streets might be a little more crowded for a week, not to mention that the drive through lines will be a little longer and not make you realize services may be a little slower; but to encourage you to seize this opportunity.

In recruiting we have to go out to people to tell them all the great things about our community. It’s not often that we have thousands of captive audience members come to us and our community to see its beauty and experience our southern hospitality.

I want to encourage you that as our visitors and guests come to town, be conscious to be a little friendlier; be a little more patient and above all, sell, sell, sell! Tell people about why Jones County is a great place to live. Tell them about our world class museums and attractions. Tell them about our thriving economy. Tell them about our history and heritage. Tell them about our wonderful neighborhoods, communities and avenues we live in. Tell them about our other great recreational activities and offerings and invite them to come spend some more time in our community and spend some money while they are here.

There is a great story about a preacher and a farmer I like to share with people to help them understand the need to promote themselves and promote what their businesses and organizations are doing. We may not always have a large crowd listening or engaged in what we are selling, but one sell is one more than no sells. Hopefully this story will spur your selling spirit!

The story goes something like this:

An old hill farmer trudges several miles through freezing snow to his local and very remote chapel for Sunday service. No one else is there, aside from the preacher.

"I'm not sure it's worth proceeding with the service - might we do better to go back to our warm homes and have a hot drink?.." asks the clergyman, inviting a mutually helpful reaction from his audience of one.

"Well, I'm just a simple farmer," says the old man, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if only one beast turns up, I sure don't leave it hungry."

So the clergyman, feeling somewhat ashamed, delivers his service - all the bells and whistles, hymns and readings, lasting a good couple of hours - finishing proudly with the fresh observation that no matter how small the need, our duty remains. And he thanks the old farmer for the lesson he has learned.

"Was that okay?" asks the preacher, as the two set off for home.

"Well I'm just a simple farmer," says the old man, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if only one beast turns up, I sure don't force it to eat what I brought for the whole herd..."

The World Series will be a great time for our community to “feed the herd”. It’s going to be a little crowded, it’s going to be a little tense, but I know we will handle it with hospitality, grace and a smile. And if we do, our visitors will love Jones County as much as we all do and our community will be better because of it!

I hope you get to enjoy some great baseball. See you in the stands!

I’d like to take a personal point of privilege and say thank you to all of you in the community who welcomed our new son Noah into the world. I can’t say enough good things about all of you and I can’t say enough about the exceptional service of all those in the South Central Regional Medical Center family. Our stay was enjoyable and the care was exceptional and second to none. From Rebekah, Ethan, Noah and myself, I thank all of you for thinking of us during this joyous time.

---* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, July 28, 2013 issue of The Chronicle's "Planting Seeds" column.

The Builder

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.”

~John F. Kennedy

I recently was afforded the opportunity to spend another week in Athens, Georgia for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management program. This was my third year to attend of my four year certification.

While attending Institute, I am able to interact and learn from respected practitioners, consultants, facilitators and peers who are Chamber of Commerce and Association Executives from all over the country. This year there were even a few international participants that attended.

This program is great for those of us in the Chamber of Commerce profession and for those in community and economic development. It is amazing to be able to share Jones County’s story with people all over the country and to be able to learn about their communities, gather ideas and discover ways to add value to the things we offer here at home.

In addition to the very practical application of knowledge I learn while I am at Institute. It is also very rewarding to develop a deeper relationship with friends and colleagues who are as passionate about their community as I am about Jones County.

Whether you are in the business of Economic Development, Community Development, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street or a host of other organizations; when you are helping to create jobs and grow the community for the better, the people leading these efforts are very motivated by the work they do and they are very passionate about the differences they make. The ups and downs, the wins and losses and the successes we enjoy as a community affect us all greatly on a personal level. It is something very special to be surrounded by these like minded people.

One of my favorite moments of Institute each year is graduation night. During the graduation ceremony the fourth year elects two members to recap their experiences and leave a charge to the following classes. This year’s charge was as special as the years before. One selection in particular has stuck with me and the words spoken keep coming back in my mind again and again.

In his monologue, Randy Vivian, the President and CEO of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce in Victoria, Texas shared a passionate poem from memory. Without a single note and very few dry eyes in the crowd, Randy reminded us of our charge as professionals to be builders, not destroyers. As leaders of the community we are charged with laying the foundations so that others may realize their dreams. It is through the work we do today that builds a path so that future generations can realize the success needed to carry our legacy forward. You are a part of that legacy. You are a part of that leadership.

Each of us has a decision to make about our role in the community. I want to leave you with the poem Randy inspired us with, but as you read the words; I encourage you to make a choice. Which person will you be? Will you help to lay the foundation for others, or will you tear down what has been created? One way leads toward the path of success for our community, the other does not.

Today is a great day in Jones County. It is the best day for us to all start working toward a common goal and a bright future for the next chapter in our history. Won’t you join us and help lay a foundation (or two)? I am sure that if you do, your reward will be great and our community will be much better off because you did.

THE BUILDER

“I saw them tearing a building down
A team of men in my hometown. With a heave and a ho and a yes yes yell, they swung a beam and a sidewall fell.
‘Like the ones you'd use if you had to build?’
And he laughed and said, ‘Oh no, indeed...
the most common labor is all I need...
what takes a builder ten years to do.’
Which one of these roles am I willing to play?
Am I one who is tearing down as I carelessly make my way around?
Or am I one who builds with care, in order to make the world a
little better... because I was there?”

And I said to the foreman, ‘Are these men skilled?’

for I can destroy in a day or two

So I thought to myself as I went on my way...

---* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, July 7, 2013 issue of The Chronicle's "Planting Seeds" column.