Steve Mensing, Editor
♦The other evening Doug Paris and I were talking at the rear of the County Commission chambers prior to the commission meeting. We discussed several topics including Salisbury’s disturbing indicators that fit the pattern of a “dying city”. Somewhere in that conversation Doug asked me if I might write something positive about Salisbury. Surprised at Doug’s selective inattention to the very positive nature and solution focus of the Rowan Free Press, I told him I’d write an article about the many things I enjoy about Salisbury besides the amusing acrimony between Salisbury and the county and the strange brew political landscape. Here goes:
Let me tell you there’s so much to enjoy about Salisbury. Here’s some of the many wonderful aspects of my adopted home since 2008 when I arrived here from Philadelphia:
• Living on West Bank Street. Probably nothing exceeds the pleasure of ”setting” on my porch with a book or newspaper and a cup of freshly brewed coffee on a crisp fall morning. West Bank is a beautiful street populated by large old homes, trees and gardens, and amazing birdlife. What a place to read, daydream or gab with occasional passersby before starting my daily work.
• The Rowan County Library on Fisher Street. Love this library. Has a great selection of books especially in my favorite interest areas. Enjoy browsing its newspaper and magazine racks as well as its ample selection of DVDs. The History Room is a treasure.
• Salisbury’s Eateries. One of the fun aspects of living in Salisbury are its many restaurants and eating spots. Among my most favorite are El Patron, Go Burrito, and Bangkok Downtown. For lunch and conversation I often meet my buddies at Jeter’s, Il Colleseo, or Panera Bread. You can throw Uncle Bucks in there too with the city’s many BBQ joints. Look forward to the new Waffle House opening in a few days. Restaurants are a real plus in Salisbury.
• Walking through Downtown Salisbury. I enjoy walking downtown and throughout the city. The people hereabouts are warm and friendly–often stopping for conversation. I must’ve met thousands of people in Salisbury through my daily jaunts and many I know now on a first name basis.
• Wal-Mart. Okay–I enjoy shopping there when its less crowded. I always find stuff I need at cheapo prices.
• The City’s Crowded Field of Internet, TV, and Phone Providers. Salisbury offers a wide selection of broadband providers all competitively priced. This is outstanding for anyone who owns dot.coms, digital news sources, or needs to communicate with folks on the other side of the globe.
• The Rowan Museum. Quite a worthwhile visit.
• The Field of Dreams. 329 S. Main. A great spot for a filling station.
• Harris Teeter. Enjoy the quality food there and the selection.
• The Farmer’s Market.
• Waterworks Visual Arts Center. Many worthwhile exhibits.
• The Friends I’ve acquired Since Arriving in Salisbury. A really great bunch of friends I’ve met here.
• The Rowan County Commission Meetings. Enjoy covering these meetings and talking with folks afterwards. We always post the proceedings videos.
• The Hall House. I walk past this historic plantation house with its lawn cannon just about every day. My backyard is a stone’s throw from its backyard.
• The Monthly Meetings of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. A meeting at Salisbury’s library for history buffs and those interested in learning more about “The War of Northern Aggression”. Outstanding programs.
• The Tinseltown, Wal-Mart, the Salisbury Mall, and Wallace Common Shopping Areas. These four areas provide for my Salisbury shopping needs. Food Lion, Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, Kohls, Staples, Big Lots, Office Depot, K-Mart, Books-a-Million, and Pet-Smart fulfill much of our buying needs.
• The Republican Men’s Club Breakfast. A great place to discuss local, state, and national politics and hear from area elected officials. Sometimes our visitors make news. Next meeting is on December 7th.
• RCTPP Meetings at the Blue Bay. Enjoyable discussions, conservative fellowship, informative speakers, and candidates for public office. Last night Todd Paris showed up and raised questions about the Salisbury Mall purchase which drew a polite, yet passionate discussion about the Mall’s enormous upside from Jim Sides. The County Commission Chairman brought down the house.
• Growing Pains Consignment Shop. A really good place to find useful bargains and some really nice people running it.
• The Tinseltown and Kleeburg Movie Theaters. Enjoy going out to a first run movie. Hopefully the budget movie theater out at the Salisbury Mall reemerges from its recent retirement.
