Sunday
Oct172004
Speaking of Pumpkins and Progress...
Sunday, October 17, 2004 at 08:29AM
I love this analogy from an article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, front page, Friday, October 15, 2004:
"In metro Atlanta, where farms have given way to housing subdivisions and malls, roadside markets are rare. In this Williams-Sonoma world, the lot stands out like a pair of bib overalls at a black-tie dinner."
The article, by David A. Markiewicz, "City outpost of country life forced out of east Cobb" is about what might loosely be described as a "Farmer's Market" that has operated on the corner of two very busy streets in the Atlanta suburbs for more than 25 years--it is the coolest place to take the kids to hunt for pumpkins at Halloween, the best tree at Christmas (without having to cut it down yourself), and all kind of wooden, hand-painted, kitschy yard art for every season and holiday--in addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables. The little Farmer's Market is about to be shut down so the owners of the property can lease it for "a grander commercial use"--and more money, of course.
As David Markiewicz points out in the article:
"Once, the stand fit right in among the country homes, farms and tiny storefronts...Now, it sits next to an upscale shopping mall, gas station mini-marts and traffic-clogged roads...Depending on one's perspective, it's either a link to east Cobb's past or a rundown eyesore."
I would vote for the former--a link to the past, and a funky, colorful, interesting, wonderful 'eyesore' we will miss.
Damn progress!
"In metro Atlanta, where farms have given way to housing subdivisions and malls, roadside markets are rare. In this Williams-Sonoma world, the lot stands out like a pair of bib overalls at a black-tie dinner."
The article, by David A. Markiewicz, "City outpost of country life forced out of east Cobb" is about what might loosely be described as a "Farmer's Market" that has operated on the corner of two very busy streets in the Atlanta suburbs for more than 25 years--it is the coolest place to take the kids to hunt for pumpkins at Halloween, the best tree at Christmas (without having to cut it down yourself), and all kind of wooden, hand-painted, kitschy yard art for every season and holiday--in addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables. The little Farmer's Market is about to be shut down so the owners of the property can lease it for "a grander commercial use"--and more money, of course.
As David Markiewicz points out in the article:
"Once, the stand fit right in among the country homes, farms and tiny storefronts...Now, it sits next to an upscale shopping mall, gas station mini-marts and traffic-clogged roads...Depending on one's perspective, it's either a link to east Cobb's past or a rundown eyesore."
I would vote for the former--a link to the past, and a funky, colorful, interesting, wonderful 'eyesore' we will miss.
Damn progress!