Hi !

We're Back!
Some of you may have noticed that The Agurban hasn't been delivered for the past several weeks. We've had a serious problem with our database and software that we're still working on. Because of these glitches, some of your emails or requests may not have been received. If you emailed us in the last month and didn't receive a response, please email mbeeler@boomtowninstitute.com. Look for some exciting changes to The Agurban in the coming weeks!

You Know You're in a Small Town
Galva, IL was established as a Swedish Railroad Town, located near Bishop Hill, a historical Swedish communal town that brings in dignitaries like the King of Sweden for special events. It is like a lot of small towns that I visit. People are friendly. They pitch in when needed and care for each other.

To show the special spirit of a town like Galva I could tell you about the two devastating tornadoes that they've had in the past ten years, the latest of which in 2003 resulted in over 6,000 truckloads of brush being hauled away in a two week period. I could tell you about how Galva has four big parks, totaling over 50 acres, probably more park land/capita than most towns. Or I could tell you how the town overwhelmingly welcomed back their 120 member National Guard unit from Iraq last year.

But, I'm not going to tell you any of that, I'm going to tell you about their bakery. The thing that really impressed me and still sticks in my memory was a very small bakery on the main street in Galva. Jacobson Bakery started in Galva in the 1930s as a wholesale bakery selling to area stores. It specialized in rusks, a Swedish hard toast sweetbread. Today, they still bake their breads, coffeecakes and rusks early in the morning. Then for the rest of the day the front door is open for customers to pick up their baked goods, leaving money in the cash box under the counter. A homemade sign taped to the glass says, "To our customers - Please put money in slot in metal box behind glass case. If you don't have correct change, (No Problem) just put in next time you visit our bakery. Thanks, Dwain & Del."

It could only happen in a town like Galva. Does your community have any quirks that make it fondly stick in visitors' memories? You may think they're odd, but others may find them endearing.

The Blog Log
Visit my weblog to see where I've been and what I learned along the way. This week I blogged on generosity in the heartland, the amazing action in Wimbledon, ND, and a gem in PA as well as several other topics. www.boomtowninstitute.com

On the Road Again
In addition to my travel blog I'll list my upcoming engagements in each issue of The Agurban. Come see me when I'm in your neighborhood!