Ellie Editor
walkin’ ’bout town…

So many things went through my mind as I watched the election returns last night and listened to the candidates’ speeches late in the evening.

No doubt that the election of an African-American as President is a huge event. It ranks right up there with watching the first man on the moon, listening to Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, watching JFK and his brother, Bobby. But it’s even more.

I know my mom would have awakened me to see this if she were here and I was a young child living at home, just as she did for each of the moon shots. She would have been pleased at the number of folks who actually voted. Oh, yes, she probably would have voted for McCain, but that wouldn’t change anything about the meaning of the unfolding events of the day. She would have been quite capable of seeing the bigger picture.

I can hear my dad commenting, “I don’t care whom you vote for. But you have no opinion if you don’t vote at all.” He believed that statement and repeated it often.

I also smile, thinking of my friend, Gordon Parks Sr, and how excited he would be were he here to witness this momentous event. Gordon spent a lifetime sharing his experiences through his photography, music, poetry, writing, and art. He often told of the many times he would be sent by Life magazine to shoot a portrait of an important person, only to have to use the back stairs. From his own childhood he knew well about lynchings of black people and experienced the civil rights movement. But he only grew from those experiences, gathering a lifetime of friends of all races, status and culture. He died at the age of 93 in 2006. But I know he would have a tear in his eye and a huge grin on his lips during this election. His heart would be full.

A woman running for the vice president of the United States is equally as exciting. In 1920, the 19th Ammendment gave women the right to vote. Not even 100 years ago! And this week, a woman ran for vice president. I pause and think of the struggle the women of that time endured to give Sarah Palin her opportunity! WOW!

Yes, this is a momentous election. No matter how you voted, the powerful significance of this election cannot be overlooked. But the candidates speeches at the end of the day, to me, were even more awe-inspiring. Senator John McCain’s pledge to work with President-elect Obama was…. well, gracious to be sure.. but also hopeful. I do believe these two men can help us turn the corner to a better America in all ways. And Obama reminded us that we are only beginning and there will be challenges ahead. But hope has returned.

I have heard from a number of friends who shared their emotional response to the election. No matter whom they voted for, they felt the power and potential of this election. It is a truly historic event in America’s history. And I can only hope that our children and children’s children will share great stories that will follow from this wonderful day.

I thank America’s voters - all 85% of them! Democracy may be messy, but it can work. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get busy putting America back on track!

If you listen to the gloom and doom news programs, it would be pretty difficult to keep lookin’ at the bright side. But, I don’t watch all those news programs very often.

I did notice a web-article by Reuters Ilaina Jonas explaining how the

second quarter (was) the worst for strip mall owners in 30 years.

According to the article, even the likes of Starbucks Corp. and GAP Inc. are reducing their number of locations.

I live in a small city and find this heartening to local communities. Is it possible that a small renaissance may be in the works? I know, at first glance, this sounds rather pie-in-the-sky. But maybe, just maybe, folks will save a little gas by visiting the shops and services in their local communities. And maybe, just maybe, the mom and pop shops, the little specialty boutiques, and that great repair guy just around the corner, will catch our attention.

Wouldn’t that be a remarkable result for the economy. Yes, there are things the big box stores can offer that the small retailer can’t. But the one thing they don’t have is very good customer service. The small retailer generally offers outstanding customer service in order to compete.

I’m thinking that maybe, just maybe, the struggling smaller businesses in local cities and communities around the country will step up to this opportunity. The next year or two will be challenging. But I think the gain in business and profits may be, just may be, a welcome new trend.

I’ve always loved this line from the movie, Titanic. I can hear the guy shouting from his rowboat as he looks for more folks that are still alive.

So I send this message to the world: IS anybody out there? We shall see.

This blog has been a long-time coming! As editor for the havredegrace Magazine, I’m kept continually busy. Add the supporting website and… well, you get the idea. I’ll try to add to this site on a weekly basis! Welcome to my world! Ellie