TOWN focuses on positivity and good news but encourages truthful and honest stories about triumph and failure. While it’s easy for us to talk and write about the good things, we are struggling with how to approach the hard things. 

We are navigating where to draw the line in discussion, or to even start one. We are fully aware that life has hard struggles and we would love TOWN to be an open, judgement-free zone for townies to share their stories and potentially, help someone. We realize that this can go from the simple to the difficult; from answering questions about where to go to college to giving hope to someone who deals with addiction.

We’re always sad when we hear distressing news about Watertown High School alumni. We see, hear, and feel when someone from the community passes away from overdose or when alumni make poor decisions that result in their name in the newspaper. We know that life isn’t just joy. Our hearts go out to those who have left us too young and to the families who move forward. We acknowledge these things and we are still figuring out how to approach them.

We know that TOWN could possibly be a platform that can go further to create a space that is open about the issues that plague our small town. Could it be a vital connection and space to share stories that go beyond? From mental illness to addiction to loneliness to dealing with death to racism to growing old; we’ve seen it all, heard it all, know it’s there, but are we doing enough?

We want to hear from you. Take our survey below. It’s anonymous. Let us know your thoughts on how the community deals with the good, the bad and the ugly, if it’s working, and if you think TOWN could be a place for open dialogue. Also, if you’re comfortable enough sharing your own story or struggle, we think you should. You may just help someone who didn’t even know they needed it.