Support our way of life by supporting your neighbors and they will support you. We must keep in mind the value of supporting our local economy, our neighborhood stores and businesses, maintaining our sense of community and supporting our neighbors. It is my way of thinking, and the custom of my heritage, that small communities support and count on each other. Since we live in a world where transportation by auto or plane and communication by computers and phones can bypass us supporting local establishments and the commerce of our local communities we are in danger of losing the small businesses that are owned by our friends, neighbors and acquaintances. It is a fact that many of these businesses offer superior quality and services than your large, high volume chains who import many of their products from foreign countries. Indeed, we have much to gain from supporting the services in this community. It is important to seek them out - buy home grown produce from farmer's markets, locally grown meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, textiles, art and services of local businesses.

In today's society our choices aren't limited. We can jump in a car and travel great distances in a matter of hours. You can jump on airplanes and travel to different countries for vacations and business trips, but we have the comfort of returning to a less hectic way of life in our small town. The convenience of ordering through catalogs or on the internet for the lowest prices makes life convenient and at times necessary.

I have found that in Elizabeth we have many small very fine businesses, all of which are run by our neighbors and friends. Many of these establishments seem to struggle to stay in business, in fact, they sell better products and services than high volume chains that may sell for less, but can't compete in quality and service. Keep the money in the community. Feeding our economy is like feeding our children. Let's help it flourish.

If we don't do this we are in danger of losing the Simple Life.