In moments when our system of government seems to be unraveling, it is natural to let anxiety and fear for the future take over. Don’t be scared—be prepared! History has shown us that when the state infrastructure starts to fall apart, it is local communities that quietly hold life together. It begins by strengthening the simple, durable things we already have. Communities that weather uncertainty best are those where trust exists before it is urgently needed, and where familiar faces can be counted on in times of trouble.
Here in Adams County, we see this every day. When neighbors gather at the farmers market, they are doing more than buying food. They are supporting local growers, shortening supply chains, sharing news, and reinforcing relationships that matter most in an emergency. A community that can help feed itself is a community with confidence!
We also need to invest in neighbor-to-neighbor relationships, such as checking on the elderly, supporting volunteer fire companies, showing up for school events, church suppers, borough meetings, and local elections. It’s important to keep lines of communication open and civil, even when we disagree. These are the places where cooperation is learned and disagreements are handled face to face with a view toward the common good. Communities in which people can talk to one another calmly and courteously are far more resilient than those that fracture under pressure.
We can also tend to practical foundations. Maintaining water systems, local clinics, and emergency services ensures that basic needs can be met close to home. Encouraging young people to learn practical skills, such as carpentry, car repair, first aid, a second language, and conflict resolution helps build human capacity that no technology can replace.
Adams County’s own history reminds us that a moment of national division can also be a moment for a new birth of freedom and unity. Now is the time to keep calm and keep together. By supporting local farmers, investing in our institutions, showing up for one another, and choosing cooperation over fear, we ensure that whatever challenges arise, our community remains a place of stability, dignity, and hope.
Respectfully,
Marya Djalal
Arendtsville
thank you Marya for the wise and insightful comments; community is everything in times of turmoil and uncertainty, and our local community is strong and connected. It is one of the assurances that I feel help me stay grounded and secure during these unsettling times.