Coming together for the common good

Civic pride and cooperation.

Not two things that come together all that often anymore, even in small-town America.

Yet that is just what happened with and for the residents of Swanton.

The restoration of the Swanton arrow has a two-fold value for the Swanton area. The community not only came together to restore the arrow, but it also paid tribute to history in the area, by returning the arrow to the corner of Airport Highway and Main Street.

It took two years and efforts of several local businesses, organizations and individuals to get the arrow up and working. It has been estimated that over $10,000 in labor and materials has been donated for the project.

That includes stripping and repainting of the sign by Sampsel's Body Shop and lettering and outlining for the sign by Squigy and Ziggy Graphics. Swanton Welding fabricated the supporting structure and allowed use of a crane to install the sign.

T. R. Worline and Associates did engineering work, while the Village of Swanton provided labor and legal work. Those are just a few of the many who helped the sign once again become a reality at the intersection at the eastern edge of the village.

The work of all the volunteers has helped return the historic arrow to a place of prominence.

It is important for communities not only to look toward the future with pride while paying tribute to the past, but to come together around a common goal.

Resurrecting the "Swanton" arrow, as well as the historical marker at Swanton Township Hall, shows just what can happen when civic pride and cooperation come together.