Hey Mortonites...do we live in a really great town or what??!!
I have moved a couple of times and let me tell you, this town is pretty great!
I loved where we lived in Michigan, but thank the good Lord above we didn't have to send our kids to school there. Mr. Shook and I plead ignorance on our house/neighborhood/location choice when we moved to Michigan and a bad decision like that will affect how you decide future plans for your family. I don't think I know anyone from my Michigan Peeps that sends their children to public school there. It's just not what you do.
Bring it forward to 2011 and I am loving not only the Morton Public Schools but the whole stinking town...
Things that I love:
1.) Morton Public Library
It is fantastic and its summer reading program is so fun for the kids. I love how it encourages even beginning readers to excel. We already have our invites to the summer pool party and I believe when Molly met the goal on Monday she was number 210. And school has only been out a month today. I love the Friday Brown Bag series where you can go and have fun and learn at the same time. Two weeks ago the library sponsored Peoria Area Fencers and it was really neat to see. This week it is Mad Science. Something new all the time.
2.) Morton Park District.
What awesome programs that they offer, especially in the summer. My new favorite thing that they do is update the programs, their availability and the daily status of them in inclement weather on Facebook. Brilliant if you ask me.
3.) Our church
The kids and I are really excited for Vacation Bible School to start on the 26th. It is always a good time and the kids learn so much. I can't wait to hear the new songs that go with the curriculum. We appreciate all the hard work that goes in to its success!
4.) Morton Youth Baseball Association
Cameron is liking his coach-pitch league this year. Who wouldn't when their Dad is the coach! But I have been really impressed with Molly's team. When I signed her up for Boys t-ball I really thought that it was the right move and it totally has been. Although she is the only girl in the whole league (!!) her coaches have not treated her any differently and have played her like they would any boy. We are so thankful for that and it has really made her time playing very fun. I will be sure to post some pictures soon. We have found out that our girl is not afraid of much and we applaud that. Molly has 2 more games this season and I know she will miss it when it's over. I also appreciate how well the Youth Baseball Association is ran and I love how up to date they are with technology. Getting text info is a life saver for me!
5.) I love having familiar faces
It is hard to go anywhere in this area and not see somebody you know. We saw Cameron's teacher at 7 am last Saturday running the Tremont Turkey Festival, I see someone almost every time I go to Wal-Mart or Kroger (even if you don't want to!), you always run into someone you know at Dairy Queen, and I know most of my neighbors. Even if we don't do things socially with neidghbors, they still know about our comings and goings. The library and pool are hot spots for seeing friends, too.
And here's what my whole point is about my loving my town. Yes, there is actually a point...
The Morton Economic Development Council requested the Village Board to approve spending $22,000 to do a study on bringing an indoor water park to our town. It is estimated that 1 million visitors will be attracted to our area with the new Bass Pro Shop being built in neighboring East Peoria. While I am all about the number of jobs that the new Bass store will bring to the area I'm not so sure how I feel about an indoor water park. We can make a pros and cons list until the cows come home, but I am really only seeing the cons right now.
- more crime
- more traffic
- more people
Of a town of 17,000 do we really want more crime, traffic and people?
The proposal says that in addition to a water park there could be bowling alley lanes, a miniature golf course, a movie theatre, go karts, batting cages...the list goes on.
Sometimes bigger isn't always better. Some times less is actually more.
I would love to hear the thoughts (pros and cons) of others. What do you think?
Am I missing a great opportunity for regional growth in our area? Do you think there will be less crime, traffic and people?
Now excuse me while I take a huge plunge from my soap box.
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