November 9, 2005
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As some of you know, I live in a very small town. Our population is about 2000, and we are bigger than many of the towns around us. I did not grow up in a small town, though, so I notice some things that are in sharp contrast to the way that things happen in a city. One of those contrasting events happened last Friday. Our bank, which is owned by one of my close friends, invited the town to dinner. The event received some very nice publicity in our local paper, but I had forgotten the date until I went through the drive-thru to cash a check last Friday afternoon. When the teller opened the drawer for me to put in my paperwork, she said, “Hi! Do you want a donut?” The thought went through my mind that, while that is a very friendly offer, it is also a highly unusual type of transaction at a drive-thru window! At least at a bank drive-thru!
When I declined the donut, the teller then reminded me that I should attend the bank’s celebration at the Community Hall that evening. Since the owner of the bank is a close friend, I went home and told my husband, who had also forgotten that the event was that day, that we should go. The occasion was the bank’s 110th anniversary, so this banner greeted us from the front of the stage. I know it looks like it says 10 years, but it really does say 110 years. And, yes, that is a band on the stage.
There was a guest book for us to sign, and as we entered the hall, my friend’s son, who is one of the bank officers, was standing there giving out little gifts. There was a sign that said “One gift per family,” so I said to my husband, “It says ‘one gift per family,’ Dan. What shall we choose?” As soon as I said that, my friend’s son grabbed the sign and said that he was putting it away just for us. I quickly grabbed 2 of the 3 choices, said thank you, and walked off wishing that I had kept my big mouth shut!
Dinner was a hot roast beef sandwich catered by one of the restaurants in town and served buffet style.
There was also a line with chicken wings, various crudites, and beverages. Waitresses delivered birthday cake to the tables.
While I was in the food line, which stretched 2/3 of the way around the hall, I snapped this picture of the crowd enjoying the meal.
I also took this one of the band, a regional polka band which is greatly enjoyed in this German community. Note the keyboardist playing the keyboard with one hand while he also plays the trombone. Saves on band salary, I guess!
The bank served over 1500 dinners that evening. Everyone had a great time. It was very appropriate that the event was held in the Community Hall, because the land for the hall was donated to the town by my friend’s mother, who owned the bank before my friend inherited it. The hallmark of that family is generosity. They are some of the nicest people I have ever known. Our Community Hall is one of the biggest and nicest in our area. Because of that, it is very busy, which brings visitors to the hall into the other businesses in the community. It’s been a great addition to our town.
Has your bank ever invited you to dinner?
Comments (26)
Small towns do have their charm and social benefits. Can’t remember ever having a dinner function at a bank. Thank you for sharing the photos!
What a wonderful story of what can happen in small communities that never does in big cities.
1500 from a town of 2000? What a turn out!!
My favorite part of this whole entry is the keyboardist playing the trombone with one hand. Awesome.
Sounds like you had fun!
I love roast beef sandwiches!
what a fun event! life in a small town does have it’s charms.
That sounds a real family business. Its great that it has survived for so long too
And I thought our city was small at 13,000! But you know, I could never live in a big city anymore. I like the fact that you can go into almost any local store, and they know you.
Or bank used to be locally owned, and It was so nice then. Since then it has changed hands about 4 times. Now, it is Wells Fargo, and all the people I knew there have left. Just not the same anymore!
I think that a turnout of 1500 in a town of 2000 is amazing! Of course, free food would bring me out, too!! lol
How cool! There was a bank here that used to give a dinner for all the lawyers and their spouses every year. I guess they wanted the estate work or something. That was before banks were taken over every other week by larger banks. Now there is no dinner, just ATM fees.
Why am I hungry for a donut…Hmmm…Life is small town has its plusses. We live in a town 25x larger than yours, we still know people almost everywhere we go. I have never been invited to a dinner by a bank.
Hi Nancy! Thanks for commenting on my post, what is integrity? I have replied to your question at the end of the same post.
I kind I wish I lived in a small toewn..my town is around fourteen thousand..but it is quickly merging with other local towns and losing some of its character. I read your comment and you asked a good question…what does the person viewing art take from it? It varies. The skill of the artist ,the mood and engageemnt of the person viewing the art ,the cultural inflences that might bias the viwere ,so many variables enter into the ability of a piece of art work to move people. I have heard widely varied an unvarnished responses to the same painting. I have given paintings away That i did that I did not particularly like ( it happens ) and the people who got them were estatic..and I have been tickled pink with something i have done but had others responded to it in a polite but not enthusiastic way. When it truly connects art can be a life enhancing and powerful influence on the viewer.
No, I have never experienced that. It sounds like it was a wonderful time. I am a vegetarian, so I would have had to seek out the side dishes
but it sounds as if its such a friendly place, no one would have minded 
My bank hands out suckers for kids and dog biscuits to dogs…
RYC: I appreciate that you are always so polite when you comment on my site, even if our views are different. You seem to be a well-rooted person of value, and I respect that. I enjoy your blog. It is people like you who help keep me ‘grounded’ Thanks for visiting again! Come back anytime! Have a great day!
Christine
There is a certain charm and friendliness about a small town. I’ve lived in towns and cities–so diverse. My father used to bank in Chaska, MN–they did hold a dinner one year–outdoors, great food. Thank you for coming by–art does not always require creativity, such as observing people from a sociologist’s view.
i grew up in a small town.. everybody knew me coz i’m Dr. Nacional’s granddaughter, even the pedicab drivers would know exactly where to drop us off.. it was cool. i thought i was just famous!
Wow… Small town living sounds like an interesting experience.
Also, I came by to thank you for stopping by my Xanga. One last thing… Welcome to the Island!
Have a great day and hope you had fun at that dinner!
Keeta
looks like the food was good . are bank has a yearly dinner but you have to pay 10:00 to get in.
No, never. what a nice bank you have. It sounds good.
glad you enjoyed and so many others.
Thanks so much for your comments on the art topic too.
Take care
Peace and Love:)
I agree with you completely with everything that you said! And I appreciate knowing that I’m not the only one who feels that way about those issues.
Hi Nancy. Thanks for visiting my site! I look forward to lots of fun with Internet Island.
Anyway, no my bank has never invited me to dinner. My town is bigger than 2000 people… but not large by any stretch of the imagination. Sounds like the even was a success and you had a great time!
It looks like it was a fun event. I always thought it would be nice to live in a small town.
I realize I didn’t really answer your question regarding some of my posts. I take a lot of inspiration from Benedictine spirituality, and I particularly like Sr. Chittister’s way of interpreting them. She’s from St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Monsigneur Scott of St. Raphael in Springdale, AR is someone I highly respect, having talked with him on more than one occasion. Even though I walk a different path, our common bond in Benedictine spirituality gave us ground to communicate. And he gave me a blessing the last time I spoke with him.
Yes, I went to dinner with my bank three times…because I worked there and it was our annual holiday dinner. Since I quit the bank, I can’t say that I’ve been invited out. It’s sad, really.
Nancy! Glad you liked the poem–thank you.
a bank has never invited me to dinner but you have to appreciate the fact one could and its charm in that…
Very nice post. And thanks for your many recent comments. Between Socrates cafe and Internet Island, I’m so busy posting that I’m not really keeping up with people the way I like to.
My bank has never invited to anything other than taking out loans! LOL…I envy you your small town, I would LOVE to live in a small town, I am so OUT of SO-CAL when I retire, I want to live in a small town where everyone KNOWS everyone….LUCKY!