POWELL, Wyo., Dec. 19, 2005
Powell Pulls Together
When Going Gets Tough In This Tiny Wyoming City, Tough Get Going
-
Play CBS Video Video Where 'Everybody Cares' The Early Show's Dave Price visits Powell, Wyo., as part of the series "Tour My Town." There, he talks with the mayor and his handicapped son.
-
Video Town Remembers Heroes Web Extra: The community of Powell, Wyo., built a memorial for those who served to protect America.
-
Video Dave Price Tours Powell, Wyo. In the "Tour My Town" series, Dave Price checked out Powell, Wyo., a small town north of Cody, with a population of 5,000. It's a little oasis in the middle of the state's wide-open spaces.
-
"The Merc," the store that symbolizes Powell's spirti, grit and detemination (CBS/The Early Show)
-
In The Spotlight Tour Powell Take a closer look at Powell, Wyo., visited by The Early Show as part of its "Tour My Town" series.
"I'm among friends," he says. "I'm getting money from my friends!" He and Price both laughed at that thought.
"Can't beat that!" Price exclaimed.
"No," Cordes agreed.
"When you walk into (the Merc), what kind of experience do you have?" Price asked Buckingham.
"Oh, it's wonderful," she replied. "And they help."
"You're smiling just talking about what many would consider a retail store," Price remarked.
"Yeah, but you know, we own it. It, it's ours," Buckingham explained.
"When you drive by (the Merc), and you look at people shopping, what pops through your mind?" Price asked Witzeling.
His very emotional response, after pausing quite awhile to collect himself: "Oh, I think, uh, it's a feeling of satisfaction that we've done a good job."
"What's the next generation learning from what's taken place in this town?" Price inquired of Earhart.
"Oh," she answered, "I think they're learning that you take care of your own problems."
When the people of Powell saved their store, Price observes, they saved themselves, too.
"Don't expect corporate America to take care of you," Earhart continued. "Don't expect the government to take care of you. …People know that, if they want to get something done, you do it yourself. And you have better solutions that way. …That's the thing with leaving your ego at the door."
Is that a small town thing, Price wanted to know.
"Well," Earhart said, "it doesn't have to be. It could be everywhere."
©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
