Community Heart & Soul Archives - Page 2 of 2

The Reading Garden, outside of the Dillsburg Area Public Library.

Jordan Sandman
September 1, 2022

In 2015, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania relocated the town's library to a bigger space to better serve its growing population. A year later, when tragedy struck, the community stepped up to grow the library to include a reading garden.

The Tucker family -- a husband and wife and two children -- sit in front of a house.

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Citizen Engagement

A Dining-room Meeting Begins a New Chapter in One Town’s Story

Jordan Sandman
August 1, 2022

As Isaac and Heidi Tucker saw it, there was no use in waiting for their town to improve itself. Instead, they took action, and are rallying renewal efforts in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania today.

A small child points as two older adults look at him. In the background, Bucksport, Maine's paper mill can be seen.

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Parks & Recreation

Past, Present, and Future on the Water: Using StoryMaps to Explore Bucksport, Maine

Ben Speggen
July 28, 2022

What does a mile-long stretch along the Penobscot River tell the walker about Bucksport, Maine? As it turns out, a lot.

Dillsburg Pennsylvania historical marker

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Citizen Engagement

A Town of Doers Works Together to Preserve Their Past and Plan Their Future

Jordan Sandman
July 13, 2022

Residents and businesses in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania have adopted a mantra: if it’s a community problem, it’s their problem too.

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Civic Life

Inside Our Towns: PA Humanities

Ben Speggen and Evan Sanford
June 27, 2022

A look at Humanities in the 21st century, the power of storytelling in community development, and more.

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Citizen Engagement

Inside Our Towns: Jason Neises

Ben Speggen and Evan Sanford
June 3, 2022

Discussing opportunities, real and perceived challenges in small-town America, and the impact of Community Heart & Soul in Iowa.

A photo featuring the exterior of the Amelia S. Givin Free Public Library in Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania

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Libraries

A Remarkable Woman Builds a Remarkable Library

Deborah Fallows
June 2, 2022

This is the story of how a late-1800s free public library built by Amelia S. Givin in Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania continues to bring the region together today.

The Mt. Tabor African American Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in spring, 2022 (All photos by James and Deborah Fallows)

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Local Institutions

How Powerful Stories are Rebuilding a Church

Deborah Fallows
April 28, 2022

This is the story of Elias Van Buren Parker and how today’s telling of his story has the power to pull the town of Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania from its early glory days, then decline, back to new days of glory.

The Fisk/Burgess House in Redlands is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is one of 20 noteworthy sites fourth-graders experience along the Smiley Heritage Tour. (Courtesy A.K. Smiley Public Library)

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K-12

Never Too Soon: Engaging America’s Youngest Citizens Early and Often

Allie Kuroff
April 18, 2022

Americans know that retaining their young people requires getting them involved in the civic process early and often.

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Galesburg residents revitalize ‘Appliance City’ by focusing on ‘quality of life’

Allie Kuroff
March 8, 2022

The exodus of Galesburg, Illinois’ economic anchor in 2004 left the town in identity-crisis mode. Now, Galesburg residents are redefining the heart and soul of the town — which once centered around being a manufacturing hub — by bringing their unique history and heritage to the fore.

A view across the Penobscot River, toward historic Fort Knox, from the waterside park and walkway in Bucksport, Maine. After its dominant paper mill closed, Bucksport went through a process of local renewal known as Community Heart & Soul, or CH&S. Our Towns is pleased to announce a partnership with CH&S to tell more of it stories and connect renewal-minded communities across the country. (Photo: Deborah Fallows)

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Citizen Engagement

A New Partnership: Community Heart & Soul

James Fallows
March 3, 2022

Community Heart & Soul and Our Towns Civic Foundation are collaborating to bring national attention to the stories of innovation and renewal in small cities and towns across the United States.

Along the C&O Canal in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Deborah Fallows.)

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Parks & Recreation

The River Walk Theory of Life

Deborah Fallows
February 2, 2022

Bucksport's waterfront is a major natural asset for the Maine town. And along it runs Bucksport's Walkway. Here's a look at the river walk and why it matters.

Graphic that displays James and Deborah Fallows as the guests on the "We're Speaking" podcast.

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Media

‘We’re Speaking’ features ‘Our Towns’ in conversation

Ben Speggen
December 2, 2021

A conversation on the experimentation, renewal, and hope for America's small towns.

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Civic Life

Congrats to the Winners!

Deborah Fallows
November 5, 2021

Two small towns come out strong in a national poll. They're among our favorites, and we're glad for these results.

Bucksport, Maine, from across the Penobscot River. (Photos Deborah Fallows)

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Citizen Engagement

Bucksport Maine Finds Its Heart & Soul

Deborah Fallows
August 18, 2021

How can person-to-person democracy be revived? A one-time mill town in coastal Maine is a laboratory for a new approach.

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Events

Highlights from Orton Foundation Webinar

Shelli Stockton
September 26, 2018

Five years ago, James and Deborah Fallows, writers for The Atlantic magazine began travelling to small cities and towns across the country. The Fallows captured lessons from their travels in…