I'm not a stage manager or a great playwright, but I do get to observe and participate in daily life in our town from many different perspectives.

As an event planner, I see things from behind the curtain. I work on the logistical structure long before the event actually arrives in its full presence. It is work, but what joy is laced into those behind the scenes glances of "our town" connected with positive energy brought by each project.

Valpo Reads a Book has chosen Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" for the 2008 community read.

Being on the committee, I recently participated in an initial discussion on the possible direction and application this work of literature can bring to our town.

Sit inside that thought for a bit, pondering how Valparaiso is your town. It's a place that evokes memories of the days when the downtown was and churns discussions of where it is headed, because if you have chosen to live in Valparaiso, it's your town.

The Indiana History Train, a part of the Indiana Historical Society, recently visited our town, carrying a Civil War exhibit. Tents were delivered and placed, weeds were cleared and a walking path was built over the rails.

These details were essential to set the stage for this visit to our town.

Bragging rites for our town come as you understand Valparaiso was selected by the Indiana Historical Society for the train visit because our town had great rail positioning and a legacy of doing things well. Valparaiso was asked to recruit volunteers to ensure a successful event.

Bravo to all who answered that call and helped set the stage, or should I say readied the tracks, for the train. Our town's can-do attitude helped give 1,600 students and 2,700 visitors a view and experience of the Civil War's impact on Indiana. Our town's visit by the Indiana History Train set a new attendance record, something each of us in Valparaiso should wear with great pride.

Valparaiso hosted the Indiana Farm Sustainability Tour in early October, also.

These visitors were in town to see our town's farmers market and visit two local farms. The walking tour evoked comments on how fortunate Valparaiso is to have such a variety of downtown businesses along with growers who support and add to the local economy.

When gazing around Valparaiso, I see so much about my town that I am pleased about. I am proud to call our town my home. I want to see things that are positive and not sit inside the smaller negatives that change can sometimes temporarily create.

Valparaiso is a town that exudes a vibrancy other towns struggle to sustain. It's our legacy, it's our heritage, it's my town, it's our town. It's Valparaiso.