Go to East Asheville Hardware

In the Sunday, September 1^st, newspaper, Parade magazine had a cover story titled Made in the USA. The article reminded me of a fun yet poignant song titled East Asheville Hardware by David Wilcox. It captures a feeling about the importance of supporting our traditions and local merchants.

To listen to the song: East Asheville Hardware (click on l> next to the title)

Lyrics to the song:

An angel appeared 

in a holy vision

Stood by my bedside

in shivering light

Spoke my name

Told me my mission

I could not believe I was hearing him right

Because he said, 'Go, my son, go...

Always go to East Asheville Hardware

Before you go to Lowe's

He said, "Go to East Asheville Hardware

Before you go to Lowe's”

You'll help to keep them open

I'm worried they might close

From the stiff competition

From the national conglomerate

With the full page ad

in the color section of the Sunday paper supplement

and stacks of plastic swimming pools

and seven brands of power tools

and rows and rows of registers

all having nice days

But no, you go, he said to me with light around his face

He said, You go first to that age-old place

To that old wooden door

that you have to close behind you

To the wide-board wooden floor

worn down soft

To the real thing

Good advice, quality at a fair price

And know that they know how deep the frost goes here.

Sure there's stuff you'll have to find at Paty's, Lowe's or Sears

But go to East Asheville Hardware

Go to East Asheville Hardware

Before it disappears.

Written and Sung By David Wilcox

The link in the Parade article, http://madeusafdn.org, took me to the Made in the USA Foundation. As the name implies, it is dedicated to promoting products manufactured in the USA, as well as products assembled in the USA. It made an impact on me because I believe in supporting jobs in our communities. On the website is a list of American companies.

Today I needed to purchase a notepad. I chose Post It Notes manufactured by 3M because they are on the list of USA companies. I will return to the website to be certain that I purchase products that will support jobs in this country.

In Giving,

Robin