THE VIEW FROM MAIN STREET This week we learned that downtown Ashland and downtown Bayfield were named “Best Shopping Experience” in the 2014 Best of the Lake awards for Lake Superior magazine. The award is voted on by readers of the magazine in the Lake Superior region and there were 1,200 votes cast. Besides giving our area bragging rights for a year, the announcement of winners is broadcast and publicized to all 50 U.S. states, most Canadian provinces, and 20 foreign countries. The end result is valuable free advertising that is brought about through the collective good work of many people. Advertising leads to tourists which leads to free money put into circulation in the local economy which helps all of us. Creating an attractive local shopping experience starts with having attractive businesses with goods and services the public is interested in. Other factors for success include maintaining a positive welcoming climate for local residents and tourists, adequate parking, aesthetics, and a friendly atmosphere. Letting shoppers know where shopping opportunities exist is also critical. A big Thank You and congratulations for this award goes out to all our hardworking business owners, all who work to maintain and beautify our city, and the Chambers of Commerce who work tirelessly to promote our region. The climate and the attitude of members of a community is a very important part of building the local economy. How we talk about our city is important. I had a conversation with someone this week who explained how they felt disillusionment about a community in a different part of the state where this individual had a cabin. Though the region had a lot going for it, this person felt the newspapers there had become entirely negative and citizens had started speaking publicly in ways that would discourage anyone from wanting to relocate or visit the area. Although we have our challenges just like everyone else, we do have a lot to celebrate here and a lot to be grateful for. First on my list are the people who live here who are so passionate and are our greatest assets. One simple way we can each help our local businesses is to speak favorably of them and recommend them out to our guests and visitors. I have found that tourists are usually looking for unique locally run businesses and sometimes just need a little help finding them. Besides shopping, there is a lot going on in Ashland right now in several parts of the city. Restoration of the interior of the Wimarth Mansion located on Chapple Avenue and Third Street West continues by the Impact Seven Group. The remodeling of the 700 block of Main Street is coming together for the expansion of the Chequamegon Coop and on track to open in mid-September and the Blue Wave development on the west end of town now has walls and is beginning to take shape. The Superfund site cleanup process has become something of a tourist attraction as things seem to change there almost daily. Thanks go out this week to Mary McPhetridge and her large crew of worker bees who were responsible for organizing and making Bay Days happen this past weekend. It is a tremendous undertaking to pull off such a large community gathering, but it is so important to bring people together. And it is especially sweet when the weather cooperates with sunshine. Thank you all for your efforts! Congratulations and best wishes are in order for city residents Francis and Alice Balmer on the recent achievement of their 70th Wedding Anniversary. That is an accomplishment that boggles the mind but is worth lifting up and celebrating! Looking for things to do with the family this weekend? Check out the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center on Friday, July 25, 2014, including a class on gardening with native plants from 10-11a.m; a presentation on Butterflies of Northern Wisconsin, from 2pm-3p; and a presentation on Animal Charades from 2pm-3pm. Golfers can enjoy the 5th Annual O’Brien Memorial Charity Golf Tourney benefiting the Brick Ministries and Faith in Action, Ashland County at the Chequamegon Bay Golf Club on Saturday, July 26, starting at 9 am. Stock car racing at the ABC Raceway starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Also, on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. there is a free concert for children large and small at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield featuring Creole music. Upcoming events in Ashland in the next week include a city band concert at the band shell on Thursday, July 31, 2014 from 8-9p.m. Come enjoy the sunset with neighbors while listening to beautiful music. Starting next week, I want to begin exploring questions in greater depth that I have been asked by citizens. The one I will start with is: “Why does it take so long to get anything done in the city?” I will do my best to explain why that happens. Whether you are a boater, a fisher, a biker, or a sitter, enjoy these summer days. These are the days we live and long for during the bitter cold months of winter. Feel the sun on your face and enjoy the slower pace of life. Until next week, be well and stay in touch. Mayor Deb Lewis
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 15:02:20 +0000
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