Part one introduced the concept of conscious bridging and how the ideas in Dar Williams’ book apply to Craig County. In Part Two we share details of the events that took place in Roanoke sponsored by “Book City” which focused on chapters of Dar Williams’ book, What I Found in a Thousand Towns. The series included eight meetings, each focused on a topic discussed in Williams’ book: created spaces, waterfronts, the outdoors, history, arts and culture, local food, partnerships and conscious bridgers. Each meeting was held at a different location relevant to the topic and featured local movers and shakers as speakers.
The first event centered on created spaces and positive proximity and was held at Sweet Donkey Coffeehouse. Positive proximity refers to spaces that maximize the number of good interactions in a town and the people who come together for projects that help build a town’s identity. Discovery, pride, ownership and generosity are all fostered by positive proximity. Community gathering places like coffeehouses and libraries also foster positive proximity.
The next two events focused on Waterfronts and natural spaces: attraction of the outdoors. Williams says, “Natural beauty can be a transcendent community tie.” Projects that build a town’s identity-socially, culturally and /or historically – help them become themselves. These projects bring out the advantages of proximity by attracting the passions and skill sets of people who are like-minded in some ways but very different in others, cross-pollinating abilities and personalities. Citizens tend to see past their partisanship and biases when they’re trying to accomplish something they can’t do alone.
October events centered on history and culture. Questions explored were, “What does our history say about us as a people, and as a community today?” “Can support of independent local stores support local identity?” and “How does this concept relate to a place as small as New Castle with only a handful of local businesses?” Cultural attachment is a concept that has real meaning in our lives here. In fact, the peoples’ attachment to their land is unique to deeply rooted areas like Craig County.
Local food was highlighted by a gathering at The Kitchen in the West End. Williams coined the term “agrosphere” which refers to the connections that food production makes within and between small communities. Roanoke’s Local Environmental Agricultural Project (LEAP) connects local farmers, food producers, culinary entrepreneurs and community members to create a relished experience by all. LEAP supports The Kitchen, designed to incubate new and growing small food businesses. What local food businesses can we support here on our rich agricultural land?
The November Book City discussion was held at the CoLab in Grandin which is a gathering center for creative thinkers, freelancers and entrepreneurs. As an event venue, coworking space and resource hub, CoLab supports collaboration and innovation in the Roanoke Valley. Before this discussion, I did not realize that Colab is short for collaborate, and that a colab is a place where people collaborate, sharing office spaces and overhead expenses by paying for a membership in the group. Our rural area seems to have a fair number of professionals who work from home. How could a Colab help to serve their needs?
Finally, ideas for conscious bridging were discussed. “Conscious bridgers” are people who make connections to address community needs, utilizing the talents of those around them. Dar was interviewed by local author, Beth Macy, best known for her book Factoryman and together they highlighted how “thinking in bridges” can help dreams become a reality. Writing music is what got Dar Williams on her book writing journey, so it was only natural that she should reward listeners with some of her own original songs at the concluding celebration.
What I Found in a Thousand Towns, by Dar Williams is a book filled with hope and inspiration that shows how a few individuals can incubate good ideas that gain momentum and become reality.
- Marge Lewter, Library volunteer and President, Board of Trustees
