Why I Love Washington

COMMUNITY MAKES A SMALL TOWN HOME

WRITTEN BY HENRY CAPOGNA | PHOTO BY STEVE BARNES

Sitting comfortably on our contact, waved to strangers and engaged meant to move here. Three years later screened porch overlooking in heartfelt small talk. Six decades later, upon retirement we did so to be near our the fifth hole at the Cypress I find myself living in a very similar rural grandsons. Today, we sincerely appreciate Landing Golf Course, I remain community where belonging to Rotary, the many friends we’ve made here. ever so grateful that my wife, attending church regularly and working Finally, the U.S. Census Bureau Cathy, and I elected to relocate to this area on behalf of a number of non-profit reports there are 311 cities or towns 39 months ago. Staring beyond my porch organizations, including Eagle’s Wings having Washington in their name. Yet, on this splendid mid-winter day, I see and Food Pantry and Toys for Tots, can make there is only one “original” Washington. actually feel the radiant sun setting beyond a noticeable community impact. My Washington is enhanced by a restored the majestic loblolly pines that reach up It seems like only yesterday, actually Turnage Theater, a fabulous Brown towards the crystal clear sign of life not seven years ago, my wife and I discovered Library, a captivating Harbor District, to mention the cherry blossoms which are what many affectionately refer to as an alluring Festival Park and the quaint poised to explode. Little Washington. Strolling down East charm of the recently remodeled Main

As a transplanted Michigander, I still Main Street in late November, I stepped Street that will certainly attract others find it hard to conceive that a January inside Big Bargain Furniture where I like us. Hopefully, they’ll have the good day is not spewing a wintry mix of snow encountered store owner Billy Jefferson fortune of meeting someone like “Bargain and slush fueled by a bone-chilling blast and his wife. I asked Billy who was one of Billy” Jefferson who’ll welcome them a of north wind that stings the nostrils and the most famous Washingtonians other with a twinkle of an eye and congenial prompts a hastened retreat indoors for than Cecil B. De Mille. Billy glanced smile. As Mother Teresa said, “Peace and the several dull gray months ahead. towards his wife and said, “It might be love begins with a smile.” Cathy and I are

No Toto, this isn’t Michigan, and actor Murray Hamilton. You know he ever so grateful to call this place home. neither is it north-central Kansas where I and his wife are buried just up the hill.” Now, I’m going to take a mid-winter stroll spent youthful summers on my mother’s Ironically, the night before my son and I down the road so I can check on the childhood wheat farm. There, I developed had watched the movie “The Graduate” cherry blossoms. Hope springs eternal — a profound appreciation for small town featuring the same Murray Hamilton! even in January when you live right here! life where people actually made eye Perhaps, this was a sign that we were Blessed, we are. ⋇

It’s been another long shift. My heart breaks over another loss from COVID.

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