ELSMORE — Elsmore’s strengths are a testament to living in rural America.
Friendly neighbors with personal connections often make even the most mundane tasks enjoyable, noted Alice Bolin Tuesday.
Bolin was one of about 15 or so residents who gathered for a community conversation hosted by Thrive Allen County at Elsmore’s United Methodist Church.
She noted that a night out to eat, or a visit to get her car serviced more often than not brings familiar faces, people she’s talked with before.
“It’s nice after coming back from places like Denver or Las Vegas, where people couldn’t care less who you are,” Bolin said. “They don’t take the time to get to know you.”
But like far too many small towns in today’s world, the future is tenuous.
A lack of viable local businesses, affordable housing — even a good cell phone signal some days — are indicative that towns like Elsmore are being left behind.
Johnny Gilham, another attendee, agreed.
He noted that Elsmore’s community events, like church dinners, morning coffee get-togethers, benefits and fall festivals, are indicative of a dedicated, but dwindling, group of citizens who give Elsmore its spirit.
“There are lots of events,” Gilham said. “But the hardest part about it is, there aren’t as many hands to help.”
Especially younger ones.
Nearly all in the audience was well beyond retirement age.
By the end of the conversation, the attendees agreed the three issues deserving the most attention were getting City Hall improved, further growing the food pantry and seeking answers for more reliable cell phone service.
THE LACK of population — Elsmore has fewer than 100 people living there — leads to other deficiencies.
Cell phone carriers, for example, are reluctant to add towers in the area because of a small customer base.
