Nothing to Do Here?

Tonight Greg and I made a late night trip to the Dairy Queen on Third. It has become a seasonal ritual to go get ice cream occasionally and sit at the bright red picnic tables enjoying the summer evening air.

Greg took this photo in July.

  Another friend pulled up tonight and we were all chatting about miniature golf courses. This is one of the things I love about living in a smaller city - that someone I know would pull up unexpectedly and we could have an exchange. (I had pulled my hair into a pony tail after being in the garden and was wearing ratty clothes - so you knew I would run into someone, right?)

While we were talking, another person in line piped up with some information, which was nice. As we continued to talk, this person said one of those things that just makes me cringe. “There’s nothing here anymore. There’s nothing for kids to do. They need to do something about that.”

We quickly pointed out Salt City Splash and the zoo and some other activities, all of which were met with, “Yeah, but…” None of us has children, so we don’t necessarily think of events geared to kids, but it seems to me there are TONS of them - many of them free. Just last weekend a friend of a friend had her grandchildren visiting and was having to pick and choose what to do with them because there wasn't enough time to do everything they wanted to do in the three days they were here.

The main thing that disturbed me about her comment tonight was the, “They need to do something about that.” Who is this famous “they?” Why doesn’t SHE do something about it? What are “they” supposed to do? Why is it someone else’s job to address what she perceives as a problem? Why doesn’t she get together a group of friends and come up with a plan to address whatever she thinks is the issue instead of leaving it up to the nebulous “they” to do it?

Every event, business, gathering, etc. started because someone took responsibility and made it happen. Of course, volunteers help things along tremendously, but symphonies are not written by committee. Everything starts because one person has an idea and follows through. Obviously, What’s Up Hutch works because we all participate, but it started with someone’s idea. (Cody was that you?) And there was more than thought involved - action followed.

I say all of this to ask… How do we change this attitude? How do we get people to accept responsibility for making the community better? Almost everyone I know is maxed out on volunteer work. Are we the “they?” Or is “they” the government everyone loves to hate? How do we get people to understand that they are the “they” of which they speak? Why is it someone else’s job to address a problem you perceive? At a minimum isn’t it your responsibility to make the problem known to the “they” who can address it if it’s out of your scope of possibility?

Or am I full of it? Have I read it all wrong? Is she onto something and “they” should take care of the problem? I don’t even see the problem, much less do I know what should be done about it. I just know her comments did not make my ice cream go down any better, and I’m a woman who loves my ice cream.

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Didn't your momma teach you to share? Share us.

Users' Comments (3)

Posted by Pam Lyle 09-02-2008 07:52, , Guest   You're funny Patsy - and great! I was going to write an article but yours just lead into it! I was going to write on Buck and my weekend but, again, your article was perfect. We worked in the yard and then he volunteers at the Hutchinson Animal Shelter and someone has been asking him as he was "judging" throughout the state if he ever comes across a bull dog that she really wants one. Well, we were out having dinner this weekend and a friend of ours who is a board member at the animal shelter (again, as Patsy pointed out that's what I love about Hutch - you almost always run into someone you know and enjoy visiting with) stopped us and said that there was the greatest bull dog at the animal shelter right now that needed to be rescued. Well, Buck has so conveniently KEPT met from the animal shelter as I love dogs. Well, guess what - it's OPEN ON SUNDAYS TO THE PUBLIC!! It should be one of the GREAT WONDERS OF THE STATE!! It is a fantastic place - a wonderful place to take kids! We, again are so fortunate here in Hutch. I could not believe it. It's a beautiful building, great staff, very clean, the dogs looked healthly, (all wanted to go home with me - and I'd already had the lecture that NONE were) and Buck has been through the training so we got to take them to the very convenient dog part adjacent to the shelter and walk them. It's amazing. They have two large parks - one for the young, fast dogs and one for the small, older dogs - they are both landscaped beautifully and have a covered shelter. It's a very nice way to spend some time and appreciate living in Hutch (or to volunteer - as they need that also). You're not full of it Patsy - some people just like to gripe instead of looking at the bright side - don't ever change. There is so much good in Hutch and much has to do with the great volunteers and people who do enjoy living here. Oh by the way, the Boxer had been happily sent to Colorado right before we go there to a "safe" home. So, you people who are bored and find nothing to do here - add this to your list - it out on Severance street betweent he prison and Carey Park and it's definitely a treat.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Patsy Terrell 09-02-2008 13:22, , Guest   Thanks, Pam... The scary thing is I wasn't trying to be funny. I really am looking for a way to address this attitude because it is prevelant. I'm not sure if I feel "attacked" because I think I'm the "they" or if I'm offended by the lack of interest in changing things. Something about it raised my hackles (in keeping with the dog theme!).     I don't like everything about living in Hutch either. And I've done my share of complaining about one thing or another. But, I try to do what I can do to make it a better place for everyone. And I don't think I've been guilty of thinking "they" instead of "we" too often.     I did not know about the animal shelter as a place to visit. I don't want to be too tempted to bring home 2-3 kitties so I may have to pass on that one! But it's good to know.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Pam Lyle 09-02-2008 14:33, , Guest   The attitude is definitely prevelant but you're not going to change everyone's, I promise - just don't ever change yours and continue to spread the word as much as possible. There will always be "those out there" that disagree or find the worst. It's hard to live with but continue to "make Hutch better" - "try to change things for the better" - but getting offended, upset, feeling attacked - just brings you down - there's enough of that going around Patsy - that's really what they want. I truly feel that way, I've felt beaten up in one way or another in every organization I've ever volunteered for or felt bad that everyone does not see the value or need or want to run out and work as hard as I do or donate to the things I see as a high priority. It's just not there for some. It's just like the animal shelter or the new walking trail that I went to see up off of Lorraine that I got excited over this weekend. Maybe you and I are the strange ones who appreciate the weird things in the world or at least in Hutchinson Kansas.. that's okay - I'll stick with you, makes life simple and as I've said many times, I like life simple. I promise you - it's the "theys" that are missing out!   » Reply to this comment...

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