Dear Editor:
Did you catch the new Hallmark rom-com? Or was it more of a comedy? I’m still on the fence.
It’s about a wealthy owner of a jewelry business from the big city who moves back to her small hometown. She buys up a large portion of downtown real estate in an effort to save the town’s struggling economy. As expected, conflict arises – this time involving an ice cream store, a squirrel, and a court case. Spoiler alert: the judge rules in favour of the mom-and-pop ice cream shop.
Now, usually at this point in a rom-com, the two main characters discover they share similar interests, realize they’re two sides of the same coin, put aside their differences, and fall in love. You know, the typical happy ending stuff. But not here.
Instead, a second conflict emerges when local residents criticize the big city business owner on a digital forum. Feeling bullied (not unlike the ice cream shop owners, I suppose, but I digress), she threatens to sue the townspeople.
The story ends with the big city business owner opening a “snitch-line” for locals to report bullying incidents.
If you happen to have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, I’d recommend starting a fund with the local Community Foundation. Contributions to the fund would go a long way in supporting local charities and non-profits, helping to keep the lights on and make a meaningful impact in our community.
Maddy Smith,
Fergus