Dear Editor:
I attended (and was one of many to help organize) the Ortonville DDA/Main Street ‘Extraordinary Volunteer Night,? March 6. What an outstanding turnout for the event and privilege to appreciate the more than 100 volunteers.
The reason I started with the Ortonville DDA/Main Street from its inception, the fall of 2005, was as a businessperson in the community, I wanted to broaden my sphere of people I knew. When I moved to Ortonville, I knew only two people, my sister and brother-in-law. That poses a little problem since I am a salesperson and a single mother supporting four children. I have truly found, by getting involved, the most remarkable, unbelievable, fantastic, creative, resourceful, talented, and ‘over-the-top? citizens in the Village of Ortonville, Brandon and Groveland Townships. I especially found out how special these citizens were after having experienced a hardship this past summer. The support and encouragement I received from these citizens was absolutely amazing. I not only have found profound business relationships, I have found long lasting friendships as well. I’d like to share a quote from Donald Trump:
‘If money were my only goal, I would have passed up a lot of my most important work. For example, if I based my decision solely on monetary gain, I would have never done the Wollman Skating Rink in New York’s Central Park, which I did because I loved New York City and I wanted to provide a wonderful recreational center in the heart of Manhattan.?
I can relate to that sentiment. When moving to the Village of Ortonville and Brandon Township, the community provided a way for me to raise my children in our fantastic village and make a living selling real estate. My kids were able to walk to school; and who wouldn’t give to walk across the Kearsley Creek bridge to and from school everyday, swim and fish in Kearsley Creek, skateboard, play basketball, baseball, and be their friends? ‘village home? when they were in town playing?
I love this community because of that opportunity, and it is why I give back. What’s your story?
Jane Derry
Interim Organizational
Committee Chair
Ortonville DDA / Main Street