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Things have been busy for me at the Chronicle as I prepare to launch a new feature! We've all been brainstorming fun, new ideas for the paper and we came up with one that I feel lucky enough to head.
Starting next week, I will begin writing a new feature called "Small Town Living." I will be speaking with people and businesses from all of the small towns in Iowa County and asking them important questions like "What do you like about living in your small town?"
I have began my search in Rewey and Mifflin. After paging through 'In the Shadows of the Mines,' a history book made to celebrate the Village of Rewey's 100th anniversary in 1980, I have uncovered plenty of interesting historical information about that area.
One of my favorite photos I discovered in the book was of several men standing on an electrical pole. The black and white photo states "Electric power comes to Rewey" in June of 1916!
While the history is interesting enough, I want to get to the root of why people love their small towns, why they choose to stay and what activities or events they most look forward to each year.
I have about 20 towns I'm hoping to visit over the course of several months. I welcome any ideas or leads, by email or phone (608-935-2331 or bbechen@thedodgevillechronicle.com).
Maybe your grandma owned a restaurant in your town or your neighbor is always around to do a good deed for others. Maybe your kids live to play ball at the park every day during the summer or your church holds an awesome luncheon to raise money for a good cause.
If you're a small towner and love it, raise your hand! And get ahold of Brooke, the reporter who wants to expose the great things about living in a small town.