About
the Greensburg Kansas Tornado
On
the night of May 4, 2007, 95% of our homes and businesses
were destoryed by a massive EF5 tornado that was nearly 2
miles wide. Although this storm was devastating to our community,
we are presented with an incredible opportunity to show the
world our strength and to create a new future for those who
will live here. We strongly believe that we will be back,
better than ever, and will be a model for rural America.
Progress
is happening everyday in Greensburg. With the recent completion
of the electrical system, all utilities are available to residents.
The City will have a new water tower by May, and it will be
a new icon and landmark for our town.
Another
project the City is in the process of is the Business Incubator
building. This building will be available to businesses to
rent a space and to "hatch" their business. This
will be located on Main Street and Highway 54.
Resident
Interview
GreenTown’s
Coordinator of Educational Services, Catherine Hart, interviewed
Greensburg resident: Anita
Hohl 11/18/07
The
greening of Greensburg will succeed because of its residents.
These interviews will give readers an opportunity to see why
people are choosing this way of life for their community and
the kinds of things people see for its future.
By way
of introduction, Anita is married to Ricky, and is mom to
two children. She homeschools her son, is passionate about
simple living and conserving resources, and is a very articulate
spokeswoman for green living.
CH:
Thank you, Anita, for taking the time to let GreenTown readers
know about you and your passion for green living. I wanted
to interview you because you are so committed to and passionate
about caring for the Earth and its resources, and I think
people can learn a lot from you. What is special about living
in Kansas for you and your family?
AH:
Kansas is special to me, for one reason, because of its history.
Kansas was built by extremely strong, and strong-willed, people.
They braved a lot of hardships to settle here, on the open
prairie, and they tamed it and made it theirs. Their blood
still runs in Kansans veins, I think. We are a strong, moral
people, and we don't let anything get us down for long. We
pick up and go on and live life more, and more aware than
most.
Another
reason is the land. So many people have told me they thought
Kansas was flat and boring, until I show them pictures that
I have taken right here in Kiowa County . There is nothing
like being able to stand in one spot, turn completely around,
and see absolutely nothing but grass and sky. I tried living
in northeast Kansas for a while, but all the trees made me
claustrophobic. I love the open land.
I don't
ever want to live anywhere else.
CH:
What is your vision for the rebuilding of Greensburg ? If
you could imagine that it's five years down the road, what
do you see as you walk around town (or tool around on your
scooter) in the year 2012?
AH:
Well, first of all I see a lot of other
people walking, or on scooters and bicycles. I see car pooling,
and I see a delivery service, so that someone can take small
lists, for a fee for gas money, out of town and pick up several
people's items at once, reducing the number of vehicles making
the trip.
I see
people using their yards to raise edibles, instead of useless,
water-wasting, chemically treated turf grass.
I see
a huge farmer's market, open year 'round, selling all locally
grown items: fruits and vegetables, pasture raised beef, free
range chicken, eggs, cheeses, honey, baked goods... Even crafts,
and household items.
I see
alternate power sources in most every home, from small solar
panels just powering a few appliances, to fully off the grid
homes.
I see
more community-wide get-togethers... picnics, music concerts,
plays...
I see
people really coming together as a community. I see people
trimming down their to-do lists and simplifying their lives,
realizing there really are no "have-tos" in life,
everything we do is a choice. People choosing only what is
absolutely best for their lives.
I see,
from everything that everyone in this town has been through
together, people respecting each other, no matter what their
name is, or what their income is.
I also
see people from the outside, making a bee-line to Greensburg
because we all made it such a wonderful place to be!
CH:
I want to follow up on what you said about "people choosing
only what is absolutely best for their lives". What thoughts
do you have about how to help people make that happen in their
own lives, especially if this green living thing is totally
new for them?
AH:
First, people need to stop. Really stop - stop the activity,
stop thinking about what they have to do in 5 minutes, 5 hours,
5 days... just relax. Take a few deep breaths. Sit on the
front porch and feel the air, see the sky. Think about priorities. |
