Small towns, Business, Two-lane Travel, Rural life & Humor
One is a tiny number, right? Like when we hear fire claimed “only one” structure in our county last year, or that “just one” person had to be extricated from a car wreck. In those terms, things don’t sound all that bad. But what if it was YOUR structure that burned to the ground,... Continue Reading →
We love seeking out little cafés when we travel. You know the kind – where locals meet for breakfast, grab a meal with family, or hang out with the coffee crew. Where we get more than a meal -- we get a sense of the place we’re visiting, and the people who live there. ... Continue Reading →
We love coffee as much as the next guy, but having a Starbucks – or any other nationally recognized franchise -- doesn’t put a town on the map. Some of the best places we know of aren’t much more than wide spots on two-lane roads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9fV0XjKs_s Take Regan, N.D., (pop. 44, plus or minus). Most... Continue Reading →
It’s officially tourist season -- time to put on our “ready for company” faces and get ready for visitors! Every community has at least eight things that, with a little bit of creativity, can tempt travelers to stop and spend some time – and some money – in your town. You may not have... Continue Reading →
With this year’s RuralX Summit right around the corner — mark your calendars for June 27 & 28 in Mitchell, S.D. — it's time to think about how being present can change your community. What can you learn? Who can you meet? What inspiration can you get? The RuralX Summit is organized by Dakota Resources... Continue Reading →
Yes, Virginia- Small towns and 'Shop Local' DO matter. Yesterday I was part of "Hometown Holiday Happenings" in a nearby town- the first in decades. This event was combined with a Shop Small/ Shop Local campaign. It was my pleasure to volunteer my time and have some input on fun ideas. While we were waiting... Continue Reading →
The holidays and Shop Small Saturday are right around the corner. SMS has been an amazing boost for many small businesses thanks to American Express. (You can sign up for free customize-able marketing materials) But "Shop Small" doesn't have to be a one day event. You can encourage people to visit your store or... Continue Reading →
Small towns have the best “news services” ever. If you’ve ever lived in one, you know everyone’s already heard about your embarrassing moment, practically before you even did whatever you really wish you hadn’t. You don’t even have to be from a small town -- with social media, whatever went right or wrong is... Continue Reading →
Customers. Plain and simple- Customers are the number one reason to update your business in Facebook, Twitter, Google and so on. I am not a social media guru, but as a frequent traveler, I use it quite often to plot and plan. This week I traveled to well known small town in western NorthDakota. I checked... Continue Reading →
It occurred to me today as I watched a youngster playing in the dirt with his farm toys, that farm auctions are not signs of the times, or harbingers of bad news, who may or may not be going under, or even a prediction of we’re headed. Auctions are signs of community, continuity, and hope.... Continue Reading →
Tips and Tales 