Be welcoming to our company

It was the late Everett May Jr. who introduced the “company’s coming” concept to the Jay County Fairgrounds.

Junior, who was the sparkplug for the revival of the Jay County Fair in the 1970s and whose leadership rescued the fairgrounds from decay and the doldrums, sincerely believed that the fair and its grounds provided a tremendous opportunity for the community to put its best foot forward.

Behave like “company’s coming,” and company will come back. Spruce things up, focus on constant improvement, and greet people the way you’d want to be greeted.

It was an attitude, a philosophy, and a marketing plan all wrapped up in one.

And it worked.

But for it to keep on working, all of us need to remember this week that company is in town.

Thousands upon thousands of visitors are making Jay County their temporary home.

Are they a complication when you’re trying to get across town and have to dodge golf carts? Sure. But it’s a complication hundreds of communities would love to have to cope with.

So here are three simple suggestions:

•First, be patient. If you are inconvenienced, it’s no big deal in the great scheme of things.

•Second, be hospitable. Welcome folks back. Ask them if they’re finding everything they need.

•Third, smile.

After all, it’s not every day that company’s coming. — J.R.