It’s June — a month of significant celebrations and holidays — June 14 is Flag Day (see front page story by Robin Widmar). June 19 or Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the U.S. Father’s Day is June 21 this year (see Pete Gawda’s article on Pg. 14), along with Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year and the start of summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is farthest north at 4:24 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2:24 a.m. Mountain Standard Time).
We don’t want to forget D-Day, which is June 6. On June 6, 1944, during World War II, the invasion of Normandy took place. Codenamed Operation Neptune, but mainly referred to as D-Day, the event is still the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France and the rest of Western Europe and laid the foundation for the Allied victory on the Western Front.
On a totally different topic, I wanted to touch on saying goodbye to The State Bank. The State Bank has been a well-known and hometown landmark in Falcon for the last 25 years. The New Falcon Herald has done business with The State Bank for the past 22 years. And the bank has been a loyal advertiser — they always wanted to contribute to the paper’s success. I enjoyed the camaraderie we shared and have received several hand-written thank you notes from the bank’s president over the years. The bank was sold to Pueblo Bank & Trust a few months ago, and what a change. When we asked about their interest in continuing to advertise, we were told (via email), “… we aren’t going to be advertising at this time.” They aren’t advertising, but that is not the point. It’s the difference between a family owned business and a corporation moving in from outside of Falcon.
PB&T, as they are known, is not a national chain of banks — their market is Colorado.
However, the bank does not seem to have the same feel for the town or the personal commitment that is relatable with small or local businesses. Maybe that will change with time.
Small business owners are typically invested in the well-being of their neighborhoods because they often live and work in the same communities they serve. When local businesses disappear, communities can lose important personal connections and local decision-making is ignored.
Small businesses often play a vital role in supporting local schools, charities, the local newspaper (!) and community events. They also maintain the unique character of a community.
Corporate takeovers and the rapid expansion of large chains have dramatically changed the landscape for small business owners across America. Despite these challenges to local small businesses, many consumers still value personalized service, quality products and the relationships that small businesses provide.
I will miss The State Bank — I will always remember the mutual support, the friendliness and their community spirit, thanks to Al and Tricia Kreps and the bank family.
Happy Father’s Day! See you in July!
Michelle
