Nothing to do here? Look around

By Fredie Carmichael / editor

April 13, 2008 12:22 am

— People — especially young adults — often complain there's nothing to do here.
It's a saying plenty of us in East Mississippi have heard ad nauseam over the years. I admit I'm probably as guilty as the next person. I grew up in south Lauderdale County and remember thinking I couldn't get away from this place fast enough. The reason: there was nothing to do here; I saw no future for me here.
But over the past few months and years, I've learned something: there really is a lot to do in Meridian ... if you open your eyes and look around. And one often quoted saying I've always tried to live by: "if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
Now true, we're not a big metropolis like Birmingham with multiple posh eateries, a huge nightlife and streets flooded with people. But I actually embrace our uniqueness; I prefer it even. There are plenty of things to keep us busy and, more importantly, it's home.
I've also learned to open my eyes and look around at what we do have and take part in it. For instance:
• Beautiful parks such as Bonita, Highland, Northeast and, a few miles south in Clarke County, Clarkco State Park. This Saturday as I strolled through Highland Park I noted a few things: the peaceful flow of water from an old brick fountain feeding the duck pond; the history of the park, namely the famed Dentzel Carousel, still stocked with boisterous children; the laughter of kids playing on a large playground; the sound of basketballs ripping the nets on the outdoor basketball court.
• Great entertainment offered in places such as the crown jewel MSU Riley Center, the Temple Theatre, the Meridian Little Theatre, Bonita Lakes Cinema. There are almost more shows than one person can take in.
• An impressive selection of merchandise to choose from, from large box stores to small mom-and-pop shops. While there are too many to name, Meridian could certainly be considered the retail hub of East Mississippi.
• Incredible places to enjoy food — from the posh Weidmann's Restaurant in downtown Meridian to the unique and tasty Shorewood Inn, located off a dirt road from Highway 19 North between Collinsville and Philadelphia (where I love to eat the fried corn-on-the-cob and then head outside to feed the catfish in the pond).
In addition to these obvious ways to relax, be entertained, shop, and eat, there are a host of organizations specific to this area that contain both social aspects as well as charitable. One such group, the Young Professionals of Meridian, is an organization that began less than a year ago for people between the ages of 21-39. The idea was to engage young people in aspects of community service and social interaction. In less than a year's time, we've raised $2,500 for a local elementary school's after school program with a bowl benefit at Weidmann's; raised $1,600 for the United Way with a beignet breakfast in Dumont Plaza; hosted two political forums with everyone from gubernatorial to congressional candidates; held downtown clean-ups; and helped fill several local restaurants at our monthly socials.
Another new group — Southern Upgrade LLC —hosts social events for young people in the area in an effort to provide just the type of events many in this age group say are lacking. Sheena Davis, a local girl who is passionate about getting young people involved, heads up the events. I attended a party Friday night at Union Station in which the second floor was transformed into a trendy night spot. I had a blast seeing old friends, making new ones, eating shrimp cocktail and, yes, even doing a little dancing (while I call it dancing, those who witnessed it probably have a more fitting description).
The bottom line: there are plenty of things to do if we simply look around. When we first published 393 Magazine, our society/style magazine that began printing last year, I told someone, "if you flip through all 72 pages you can never again say with a straight face that there's nothing to do." In fact, that was a strong impetus in the original thought behind the publication: if we can highlight all the events this area holds, people will begin attending them in greater numbers, become more involved in the community, and take more pride in living here.
It's important that we get out of the house and experience all this area has to offer. I encourage everyone to try this one day: turn the television off, drive to the Lauderdale County Tourism office in downtown Meridian, grab a handful of brochures and enjoy a few of the things this area has to offer. Then, tell a neighbor about it; help market our area.
Now I'm not saying there aren't plenty of things that need to be improved upon in this area — from jobs to streets to education. Our community must address those issues in an effort to continue to improve the quality of life. But I'll save that column for another day. Today, I want to stress this: there are plenty of things going for us if we open our eyes. And we're never going to move forward as a community until we recognize those and, more importantly, utilize them. If not, they may go away.

Fredie Carmichael is executive editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.