Zeigler Blog November 2008

June Updates from Michael Toso (2009)

Summer is the time to get out and barbeque, eat ice cream, catch some evening entertainment, and catch up with nieghbors while watching children play outside! The community of Zeigler has just kicked off the summer with such an event. On Saturday, June 20th, elected leaders, civic groups, faith organizations, volunteers and youth got together in the city park for hot dogs on the grill, ice cream, and free entertainment. Middle and high school yout volunteered to lead children on a scavenger hunt and local musicians set up for a Battle of the Bands competition.

Children played in sprinklers, blew bubbles and collected prizes from the scavenger hunt. Adults relaxed in lawn chairs enjoying the heated competition between local garage bands. The young musicians were free to sing, scream and play as loud as they wanted. If this sounds risky to you, ask yourself: "Would I rather have these talented yougn people playing in some local bar or out here in front of family and friends and neighbors in a safe, drug-free environment?" Zeigler youth have already demonstrated that a combination of freedom and responsibility results in fun that the whole family can enjoy at last year's Halloween Boo Bash. This year's battle of the bands took that lesson and built on it. Asset building is often as simple as taking what you've already got and making it better.

Zeigler residents get that. They understand that rural America will not thrive economically unless they grow and maintain social capital. Youth are our greatest asset! In the last year, volunteers, organizations, business owners, and elected leadership have engaged area youth by involving them in city hall meetings, giving them freedom to plan events and activities they find engaging, and making sure that the community is there to support their decisions. Young people in Zeigler are proving that they will give a mile for every inch given to them.

Theres more! Young people who spend their time at the public library are busy refurbishing a back room with flat screen TV's, a foosball table and game consoles. This is happening because city leaders agree there should be safe, positive environments for youth to hang out after-school during the long winter months. Young people have also asked for something to do outdoors in warmer months. Again, youth and adults working together began a community garden behind the library Soon the students wil be touring farms and getting trained by a master gardener. As students learn to grow food, they will also eventually learn about commerce through farmer's markets. The goal for this year is to grow pumpkins to display in next Halloween's Boo Bash. Taking the time to invest in a youth garden means more than caoxing pumkins from seeds, it's about growing this next generation of civic leaders and citizens.