Generosity of a Small Town

A couple of professional snowboarders set themselves out on a mission to find some urban small town spots to film for their new movie, Forever. Deciding on their destination, Houghton Michigan, they predicted it was going to be extra cold but the generosity and helpfulness that came from the townies they did not see coming. From the waitress in a quaint seafood restaurant to the mayor at city hall, these snowboarders were treated with better hospitality than their own grandmas. As they were planning what they needed the waitress came through with hooking them up with a generator from the only rental place within 100 miles! Little did they know, when they met the owners of the local shred shop, they had major connections in the town. This led them to meeting the mayor at city hall and basically having the right to board wherever they wanted to in the town. The boarders filmed for a couple of weeks and in their stay time, they became part of the local crowd. It got to the point when they could ask for "the usual" at the local cafe and they knew the names of the policemen (who let them jump over one of the squad cars). Even the local kids would help them out at 1a.m. in -14 degree weather. These snowboarders had it real good in this small town. It makes a person wonder, could you find the same amount of generosity in a big city? Or why is it that small towns give such an "at home" and welcoming feeling? I hope in my hospitable future I come across people just as generous and helpful as the ones in  small town Houghton Michigan. 

Snowboarder Magazine

What's u.p. with Houghton, Michigan?

Author- Eddie Wall

Volume 22 March 2009

Pages 66-77