GHS Alumni News: Garrett Renaissance (Music, Art, Fishing, and Trains?)

Recent Facebook posts to Garrett Memories and News and City of Garrett) have entertained some discussion about Garrett’s potential future. Since I initiated these posts, many others have joined to contribute various ideas, thoughts, etc, which is encouraging, as no one or two or three people have the answers; community development is a shared, community affair, so all interested persons and parties should continue with their contributions.

In the mean time, with Garrett Alumni Days just ahead, I take this opportunity to sketch my vision more fully in 10 bullet points … BUT – and this is very important:

· In the spirit of “brain-storming,” where the objective is not to develop practical solutions, so much as to stimulate OTHERS toward new-thinking and new, better-yet ideas …

· While recognizing the limitations noted in the final bullet #10 (to which you might skip ahead and read now).

Frankly, I will play no role whatsoever in whatever might unfold. I do not own property in Garrett, nor investment capital. I am not an entrepreneur, I have no experience in community development, and no wish to be economically employed. So if any of this is to go anywhere, other people must arrive at sound ideas they can bank on.

My objective is merely to suggest that there might be real but presently unfathomed opportunities; and to hope that enough OTHER people will chime in with ideas, and create a momentum that business-minded people might coalesce around and make something of.

1. First, if you have not read the preface above, PLEASE do so before continuing. Otherwise you will misconstrue my intentions and objectives throughout all that follows.

2. Then look at the recent success of Shorty’s Steakhouse, and note the acceleration of development close to Garrett (DuPont and CR 11-A). There is a now ton of affluence between Ft Wayne and Garrett, and far more people would come to Garrett should the town offer more.

3. Genuine success will require multiple ideas and many players, not just one killer-idea.

4. Current assets include:

a. Authentic, historical Creek Chub Bait heritage

b. Authentic, historical B&O Railroad heritage

c. A Railroad Museum (that could be developed more)

d. A quite nice Garrett Museum of Art, thanks to the Garrett State Bank and Mark Ober

e. A new state of art, technology-based high school

f. Garrett Public Library, ready to begin yet another major expansion, and celebrating its Century year in 2014.

g. Judy A Morrill Recreation Center

h. Relatively low cost property

i. The Gala Theater?

5. This one is a long-shot, but that is a plus in the brain-storming stage:

a. Imagine configuring the Gala for weekly or monthly, unique musical entertainment that can’t readily be found in most regional bars: blues, blue-grass, folk, Irish, pre-1970 country, etc.

b. The idea is to offer “authentic” music in an “authentic” town; a LOT of people would come if the marketing, setting, and execution were right.

c. Right now, Garrett is home to Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician Audie Blaylock and his bandRedline. This is a very significant presence, and I know the entire region is home to many less-accomplished but still interesting blue-grass musicians who would presumably love a venue in which to play.

6. If you think #5 is too far-fetched, take a look at the Garrett Memories and News thread initiated by Doug Gilliland on June 23, asking people “What are your favorite train songs?” The response was huge, 76 responses over the following two weeks! The point being that people LOVE music that is inspired by authentic yester-year experience; and what better venue for such than Garrett, grounded so in Fishing and Trains?

7. Looking toward this horizon, the Garrett Museum of Art and Railroad Museum might be great assets with a running head start. Artists and artisans might create art and crafts that would attract visitors to Garrett, and/or give those who visit for other reasons something more to take in.

8. Then what to make of the Creek Chub Bait heritage?

9. A lot of towns have done more than we have yet begun to imagine, with a lot less to work with.

10. Let’s be very clear and realistic: This kind of development will not in itself “save” Garrett. But if it makes Garrett more pleasant to live in and more attractive to outsiders, then more outsiders and families will choose Garrett for their home, including those with the skills, talent, assets, and drive to make Garrett better yet … and Garrett desperately needs this kind of reinvigoration. Too many people leave town after school – Garrett must take back whatever it can from the wider, outside world.

Finally, don’t get “sidetracked” by disagreement over particular schemes. NTWW (no, that won’t work) is a fatal distraction. LOTS OF IDEAS ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT WORK; the key is to move forward with better ideas instead letting a few negatives deflate your interest.