Small town USA (Howard Lake: Highway 12)

Writing in Augmented Space

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Apple cores and rancid milk

Jumping jacks and butt kicks

Surfing in shit

The child labor field

Fishing for poison ivy

Dog crap lake

What's beyond the pavement

Script

Duluth’s population is around 86,000. St. Paul’s nearly 280,000. Howard Lake’s 1,900, as you can see from that green population sign in front of you. I’m not sure what would have brought you to this middle-of-nowhere town, but since you’re here, why not take a stroll around.

This little farming community, located an hour west of the metro, is where I came from. From the endless view of cornfields and cows around you, you probably have a hunch that this is a tiny hick town. You’re right. I think this town inspires every country song on the radio from Kenny Chesney’s “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” to Tim McGraw’s “Down on the Farm.” [sfx: “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” song playing in the background]

As you stand at the entrance to my town, fields surround you in every direction, and tractors are probably driving down that highway to your left. [sfx: sound of a tractor driving down the road] You might’ve even had the pleasure of getting stuck behind a big John Deere as you made your way down that highway and into town. Those tractors and cars may mean little to you, but to me, they’re a friend, neighbor, or family member that honks and waves as they go by. [sfx: honking horn]

The town that lies beyond that green population sign in front of you may be filled with too many pickup trucks, and the people may be a little rough around the edges, but there’s more to this town than what’s seen on the surface. That street that stretches out in front of you is where I grew up. I drove past those old buildings every day on my way to school, and it’s this town that taught me some valuable lessons. [sfx: traffic noise on highway]

You may be thinking that Howard Lake is filled with nothing but tractors, cows, and hicks, with absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to go. I mean, all you see is that gas station to your left, that lake on your right, and that strip of rundown buildings down the road in front of you. [sfx: wind and waves in the background] Sure, we may not have the fancy restaurants, big movie theaters, or shopping malls that typical cities do. But can these things really make you happy? It’s a question that many in Howard Lake would answer with a no.

It’s down that road in front of you and the old dirt roads making up this town, that I learned happiness doesn’t come from city lights or even big houses and fancy cars, but from the people you surround yourself with. It was those old dirt roads that taught me about being content with what you have, which is what makes you truly happy. Sure, it may take sweat, toil, and hard work to reach success, but those are the only ways to reach a success that you will truly be happy with.

So as you stand on the shoulder of Highway 12, those billboards and road signs filling the view in front of you, think about the things in your life and if you’re content with what you’ve been given. [sfx: traffic on highway] And gaze down that road, where hardworking, small town people have learned that contentment can come from even the smallest, most ridiculous circumstances.

What do ya say? Should we take a stroll around an old country block? [sfx: sound of a cow mooing] Turn around and head back to your car, pulling back onto that highway and heading into Howard Lake.