Defining a Town

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A recent local tragedy has caused me to pause and reflect on America's perception of a small town, only 30 minutes away, that my family knows well and often enjoys.

The unthinkable has happened. Many of you may or may not know our local, neighboring town of Chardon, Ohio fell victim to school violence. When the tragic event occurred this past Monday, there was hope the student gunman's 5 victims would be OK after being treated for gunshot wounds. Tragically, 3 out of the 5 high school students passed away from their injuries.

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I felt compelled to write this story since my husband's family called Chardon, Ohio their hometown. My husband grew up there. My sister-in-law went to the very same high school where this unnerving tragedy occurred.

As the details of that day lead national nightly news stories, it heavies my heart to think the rest of America sees Chardon in this light. My post today is not to focus on Chardon's losses, but rather to remind people of Chardon's blessings. When you think of Chardon, Ohio, I don't want you to instantly think of this school shooting that stole away Chardon's small-town innocence. I want you, instead, to know Chardon the way I know Chardon, and, I think, the way Chardon wants to be recognized. The core being of Chardon has never been brought to the surface more than in lieu of this tragedy.

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Chardon, Ohio is as small-town USA as you can get. Quintessential Main Street is home to mom-n-pop shops, antique treasure troves, and home-cooking restaurants. The center-of-town's streets outline the grassy commons creating a Square, complete with gazebo and paved-brick walking paths. The town would be a feast of wholesome inspiration to Norman Rockwell's paint brush and palette.

Chardon is best known for its abundance of maple trees and, of course, its divine production of maple syrup, the finest liquid gold on the planet, in my opinion. Located in the Town Square, the Sugar Shack will soon bellow smoke and steam from it's sturdy, stone chimney. The smokey sweetness of maple syrup production wafts through the air and lingers in the nostrils on even the coldest of days in this, Ohio's heart of the snowbelt.

Soon, Chardon will welcome visitors to it's yearly Maple Festival. Although celebrations will be rather subdued this year, it is the effort to go on that helps us realize life continues to move forward. If you go this year, be sure to grab yourself a maple stir at the Sugar Shack. Never had one? Don't deny yourself any longer. You'll get a small pouring of boiling hot maple syrup in a bowl with a spoon. Start stirring. Keep stirring. As you cool the syrup while you stir, the liquid begins to turn into a maple butter, then fudge, then finally hard candy, if you resist long enough. Sweet and delicious! Yes, laughter and good times will come to Chardon, once again.

Another aspect not captured well in newsreels is Chardon's tight-knit community. The people in this town possess strong spirits and their spiritual faith runs deep. This week's awful blight of a teenager's misguidance has caused the people of Chardon to come together and support one another as their healing begins. Chardon is good. Chardon is strong. Chardon is one heart.

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The events from Monday wounded Chardon deeply. What time will make better, time can never make right. I wanted to introduce you to Chardon, a wonderful, strong community filled with good people and gracious, forgiving hearts. I didn't want this tragedy to define Chardon, Ohio to the rest of America and the world. I hope you have enjoyed getting to know the true essence of this fine town. It deserved the recognition for it's true gifts instead of recent notoriety. God bless the Chardon community and may God make your healing whole.

Please send this post along so others may know the "true" Chardon. Thank you.