Take pride in your pennies

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible," -- Walt Disney (1901-1966) -- Entrepreneur, movie producer and showman.

As if by magic I received this quote this morning. I've been wondering how to begin this editorial regarding the huge success recently attained by the Fort Scott community and the Youth Activities Team (YAT). When I saw this quote I knew I had my start.

Let me begin by congratulating the entire YAT team! Never before have I seen such enthusiasm, commitment and down-right diligence to accomplish a task ... and what a task it was! Fort Scott now owns three world records and the community is known throughout the United States and probably the world as a WINNER.

Many communities have been "put on the map" before, but few have been put there due to community spirit and pride. The recent laying of the pennies has drawn this community together in amazing ways.

First, there was the collection of pennies. Everyone, from the very young to the very old, was able to participate. As a result Diana Mitchell, as well as a few other YAT team members, has become known as the Penny Lady or Penny People.

Next, was the team work to prepare for the pennies. This included countless hours of measurement and tabulation to make sure everything was set for the big event. This also included securing extra pennies by a local bank, unwrapping pennies, marking grids, and many other tasks.

And then there was the penny placement. What can be said of this task? It was hot, dirty and great fun! Just the stories shared among the penny placers were worth the effort of being on the penny line.

Finally, came the clean up. In four short hours, what took four days to accomplish was gone. No trace of a single penny remains on the Fort Scott Middle School parking lot.

What does remain, however, is opportunity to continue to be a part of something much bigger than oneself ... be a part of this community from today, long into the future and we'll all continue to be winners.