Join me in helping to restart our fire house dream

When people truly believe in what they are doing and are totally committed to the reasons for their journey, their project, or their purpose, then it is time to begin preparations for action. Whether from a community or individual point of view, once we set our goals, make our plans, and believe in our reasons and efforts to accomplish them, it is then time to work the plan, and at the same time, expect the desired results – unless you find yourself in the middle of a global pandemic. Even then, if we truly believe in the reason we are doing something, expecting the desired outcome is essential in making the dream and plan a reality. 

Our plans to transform our community’s former firehouse facility into an event venue, art gallery, museum, and cultural center may be currently on hold due to COVID-19 safety precautions; however, the dream to make that project into a reality does not have to be. Let’s use this pandemic-forced downtime to keep the dream alive and well by acquiring and spreading an If-we-build-it-they-will-come attitude.

I was re-watching a movie during the holidays that featured the construction of a railroad across the treacherous terrain of the Alps in southern Europe.  Train tracks over and across the Alps between Venice, Italy, and Vienna, Austria were built long before there was even a train in existence that could make the trip. They built the tracks anyway because they knew that, someday, a train would come. They had a dream, believed in it and moved past the believing part, and began expecting the results they had worked and dreamed so hard to achieve. Eventually, the train came.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be strong enough to pick up a car? You probably think that job is best left to superheroes. Well, let’s think again. What if you had 20 or 30 people all picking up the car together? Isn’t that a little more in the realm of possibility?

And while you’re thinking about what is possible with a group of 20 or 30 people, let’s take it a step further – what if you multiplied that number by two or three? In other words, what if you had several groups working together on the same issues? The possibilities are endless.

Let’s face it – solving problems and making progress in communities can seem daunting at times. In Seminole County, there are countless individuals, groups, and organizations, and each is tirelessly working to make our home an even better place to live. There is real strength in numbers. When you have many groups with different views, resources, and skills applying their intelligence and strength to solve a problem together, the results can be like the work of superheroes.

If we want this effort to succeed, we will need the cooperation, and better yet, the help of everyone who will benefit from a good outcome.  The important thing is to make sure that everyone – every group and every organization – knows they have a real say in an effort that will affect their lives.

Two of this community’s greatest assets are its seemingly endless number of artistic and creative citizens and its incredible heritage.  Each and every family from Iron City to Donalsonville to Lake Seminole has boxes and albums filled with photos of its history and memories and tales that need to chronicled, saved, and presented for all to see, enjoy and remember.

One of the original and current goals of the BetterWay Initiative has always been to transform downtown Donalsonville’s historic Firehouse into a centralized showplace housing activities designed to enhance the community’s quality of life of today and tomorrow by showcasing its creativity with an art gallery, and by preserving and promoting the community’s past through the creation of a Seminole County Historical Museum.

A permanent home for community and family events, fine arts shows, cultural activities preserving, displaying, and promoting this community’s history is something, somehow we have to do. It is a good idea. We need to do it now for our children for their future. What better way is there for our children to learn about their ancestors and the history of how they lived their lives than by touching it and seeing it displayed in one place right here at home?

There is power in numbers. 

Let’s work together and make this happen!

Comments and impressions are welcomed

and requested at david@donalsonvillenews.com