Proud of My Hometown

I am a product of the smallest town in the  Blackstone Valley.   I was raised in one of the smallest - at least in land area - towns in Massachusetts.   What Millville lacks in size, it certainly gains in the enormous spirit and support it has always shown its people.

Those people, whether they were natives - or townies, as we may be called, or those who adopted Millville along the way, whether it was from its growth of a bedroom community, to those who work or run businesses in the community all share a common thread that is unique to this small stretch of land that strattles the mighty Blackstone.

Margaret Carroll, longtime Millville Historian and Native often refers to the pride that the citizens of Millville have exhibited over the years.   While Millville is young in comparison to her sister communities in the valley, having just observed her 95th birthday on May 1, she is a community that always seems to pull together in times of need.

It is also said that once you come to Millville, you never really leave.  After all the next stop after Millville is said to be Heaven.  Folks from Millville look after one another, and are especially protective of each other.   While they may not always agree with you, no one can ever doubt the support and love of this community always evident.

Over my lifetime the residents  of Millville have shown uncommon commitment  to overcome incredible odds.   Never tell a Millvillite that something can not be done!   No better testiment is on display in several of the town's accomplishments.   Members of the greatest generation provided volunteer labor to build our Fire station, shortly after raising funds to rebuild one of our houses of Worship that was claimed by a fire.

Several years later many of those same volunteers, as well as a bunch of new faces came together to remodel our old elementary school into a police station and  Town Municipal Center.

The spirit has lived on, most recently in the wonderful Senior Citizen's center constructed - through the efforts of so many of our residents.

I am reminded of that pride which was evident on Monday May 9th , when a gathering of Millville voters overwhelmingly approved of a contingency budget that will see restoration of funds to the Senior Center, Library, and also additional funding for the BMR School District.

While the fate of this action will not be determined until an election is held in a month or so, it is important to recognize the unselfish act that Millville voters took to support these worthy causes.

While I no longer call Millville home, having moved all the way to Blackstone some seven years ago,  the old adage remains true today.  You may take the boy out of Millville, but you can never take Millville out of the boy.  

Tonight I am very proud of my hometown.