Downtown Salisbury Inc.

By: Lyn Wilson
11/18/098

“Please bring some local area gifts for giving to my neighbors and friends here” was our daughter, Alana’s, request. To get the whole picture here, you need to know that Alana is currently living in Hovd, Mongolia. She is there for one year on a Fulbright research scholarship. Her request came a few weeks after her Dad (Al) and I decided to take two weeks of our fall to visit her at this “half-way” point in her stay there.

The task of shopping locally is one I supported whole heartedly, as I have made this a personal commitment in my own life also. The request of purchasing gifts locally, especially ones small enough to fit into our backpacks, became my mission prior to our trip departure. I accomplished this task on two Saturday mornings, in our wonderful downtown Salisbury. Then, we packed the treasures into our packs and delivered them to Alana much to her delight and satisfaction.

We spend a lot of time, now, looking back and reflecting on our Mongolian trip. We cherish our memorable visit with our daughter “in her world”. We also know that, long after she returns to the U.S., “touches from home” will connect Alana to the special folks in her life there forever.

Here is how the gift list played out:

From Southern Spirit Gallery---small pottery bowls and spoon rests ----given to Alana’s friends and neighbors in her hasha (living community), and her teacher friends at the Hovd University

From Innes St, Drug Co.—locally bottled seasonings and sauces –given to Alana’s neighbors, her boss at the Meteorology office in Hovd, and a Mongolian friend who loves to cook

From Pottery 101—small pottery dishes with leaf imprints—given to Alana’s friends, her driver in Olgi, her host family, and her translator in Ulaanbaatar

From Ultimate Sports Apparel –various UNC products—given to Alana’s host family

From The Stitching Post – Salisbury-Rowan and NC potholders, tea towels, and postcards--- given to Alana’s Geology professor/advisor at the National University in Hovd, neighbors, and her host family

In addition to the gifts for these folks, upon arrival, we “showered” Alana with goodies from Simply Good Natural Foods (nuts, dried fruits, natural soaps, and shampoos) and presented her with a bright red Cheerwine tee shirt from Innes St. Drug Co. (talk about thrilled---this is her favorite soft drink!)

I must also note that Al’s reading material during our trip was Wolf Totem, a story about Mongolia, which was recommended and purchased at the Literary Bookpost. My last minute cold weather clothing purchases were found at Goodwill and at the Nazareth Thrift Store.

Last but not least, I saved gas and time, as compared to shopping out of town, and shopping with a friend (including lunch downtown) topped off enjoyable outings.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to think about giving yourself, and others, the gifts of shopping locally wherever your gifts are destined to go.