Stockbridge ‘Home Town’ video competes for HGTV prize

by Tina Cole-Mullins

“Some call it a one-horse town

Some call it rural

I’ve called it my only home since I was a tiny girl

To me it is perfect…the best place in this world.”

So began Marsha (Allen) Williams’ poetic introduction in a video submission about Stockbridge for a contest entry to Home & Garden TV. The recently submitted video aspires to win the attention of Ben and Erin Napier, hosts of HGTV ‘Home Town,’ a series known for restoring and transforming the hosts’ home town of Laurel, Miss., one house at a time.

November of 2019, HGTV’s website called for entries into their contest for its upcoming series, “Home Town Rescue” to be hosted by the Napiers. Early January the contest trended on local social media with suggestions for Stockbridge to enter. A small group of local community networkers took notice and joined together to answer the call.

Unbeknownst to many, the Stockbridge Area Chamber of Commerce were already looking into submitting an entry, a HGTV Video & Story for Stockbridge. Jodelle Sparks, president, and James Clark-Swalla, vice-president, reached out to community members like Geri Uihlein. Uihlein, in turn, invited others into the project, fast approaching deadline.

Sparks, aware that Alex Glenn did voice-over work and put video clips together for acting auditions, contacted the video creator, two-years new to the community. Sparks showed Glenn places that Marsha Williams referenced in her poem.

In less than three weeks from start to finish and just shy of the midnight deadline on Feb. 7, the ‘Home Town’ entry was ready for submission. Within 24 hours of release on YouTube, the contest submission had 1,700 plus views (at this writing had over 2,500 views).

“It really captures the situation and the spirit of the people who are working hard to bring the Phoenix back from the ashes. Well done!” said local resident Robert Fineman after viewing the video.

Fineman’s sentiment mirrors the stated plea of Byron, Mich., also competing for the prized spot, in its submission.

Similar pleas to the Napiers and HGTV may also be viewed in videos on the YouTube channel from Michigan towns like Bear Lake and Petersburg whose high school students rallied the community in their video submission.

The loss of brick and mortar business represents a common theme among small, often rural Michigan towns. Vacant buildings and infrastructure, including historical architecture, often stand in disrepair, and updates to meet building codes can add additional start-up costs and deter new business.

While most entries acted as pleas to save a dying town, other videos took shape as travel guides citing their resources to appeal to tourism. Calumet, Mich. touted its copper mines. Manistique featured one of the last drive-in theaters. Sault Ste. Marie hung its hat on the historical value of being one of the oldest cities in the state.

All entries shared common threads: The love and pride for their hometowns, community fears and concerns, and the desire to do whatever it takes to make a difference, big or small.

“It was spirit-lifting to listen and see how much people loved their town,” Glenn said, “and it affirmed that my children are growing up in a true community.” She added that the experience taught her that the people who love their towns are the ones who invest in them. “They can see the good things here,” she said, “because they were involved in growing the good things here.”

Glenn said she hopes the submission gets picked as winner, and also that “it could be a catalyst for our people, helping them emerge as part of our invested community. That is how a small town thrives, and that is how the individuals of a small town thrive.”

Stockbridge’s ‘Home Town’ takeover contest entry is available for public viewing at YouTube, Stockbridge HGTV Video.

Photo Credits below pulled from HGTV Video Submission to match poetic essay.

Stockbridge ‘Our Home Town’ (photo retrieved from Chamber of Commerce page)

Here our church bells still ring (Poem excerpt by Marsha (Allen) Williams)

Our flags fly unfurled (Poem excerpt by Marsha (Allen) Williams)

(Poem excerpt by Marsha (Allen) Williams)
An old farmhouse is standing there. Once it was a grand showplace, now it sits in constant disrepair
The owner has done his best, it’s not like he doesn’t care. It’s hard to do an extensive rehab when you don’t have money to spare.

(Poem excerpt by Marsha (Allen) Williams)
There is an empty, grocery store. They fought a good battle with the big food chains but finally lost the war.

One of the many vacant buildings without a business, around the town.

“HGTV help our town, pick Stockbridge!” our local Girl Scout Troop closes out the poetic journey through town.