Days 1 and 2

I arrived in Palestine for the second time ever yesterday, Wednesday June, 28. My first stop? The Redlands Historic Inn, located on Queen St. in downtown Palestine. The lovely people with Palestine and the Economic Development Corporation there helped set me up in a quaint efficiency apartment on the third floor. I love heights and my room is just around the corner from the patio, which looks out toward the train tracks. 

Welcome home.

The Redlands has an amazing location, right on the business and government hub of Main Street. A plethora of shops and restaurants line the streets. The last time I was here I ate lunch at Old Magnolia down the street with Wendy of the EDC. The newly elected mayor, Therrel Thomas, happened to be there for lunch and he joined our table. 

Overall, my brief visit last week put me in a good mood for this week. Almost as soon as I arrived at the office, Wendy took me to the Rotary club. I saw a few familiar faces from my first time in Palestine and met a few more people who I'd undoubtedly see again. Rotary is an international organization of volunteers that includes city officials, local business owners and other civil servants who are concerned with not only doing good for the local community, but the global community as well. It was a humbling experience. Next week's rotary meeting will be the hundredth anniversary - I'm honored to have the opportunity to attend.

 

Making myself right at home at my new desk.

I should thank Wendy and the EDC for giving me this opportunity and putting me to work. Exhausted from the move and unpacking earlier that day, I bought a pizza for dinner and went to sleep fairly early.

Today was an early start. I had to be at the city hall for 8:30 for a meeting. The meeting was a public proposal to create several new parking spaces in down town Palestine as there are apparently parking issues. The proposal was widely accepted by the attendees, who were mostly business owners. However, a few people in attendance pointed out that some business owners simply took the prime parking spots for themselves, thus pushing customers out of easy parking. It was decided to advise business owners not to.

The council chambers

Most of my day was spent doing research aside from lunch. We had burgers at the orientation meeting for a new arrival in the department, Breazy. We had an extra burger after lunch, so I was able to bring it home. Saves me from dipping into my groceries quite yet!

This ends day 2 of my time in Palestine. And so far, everyone has been super nice. I'm not sure what is on my docket for tomorrow, however, I will be attending some local events Saturday. Movies in the Park that night, some patroning of Main Street and what ever else. It seems like it'll be a nice birthday.