Signs communicate instructions to us. They can be helpful, instructional, funny, irratating, frustrtating, and many other things. New signs cause us to step back and contemplate what we did before the sign existed.
I live in Pitman, NJ.
Many who live here believe that it’s a perfect little town. I didn’t grow up here and there are a few drawbacks (it’s a dry town, just when you really fall in love with a cute little shop-they move and something else arrives, you’re ticketed if you park on the street overnight), but overall I’ve come to love Pitman and it Norman Rockwellian appearance.
One of the phenomenon’s here that has astonished me over time is the Pitman Parade Chair Phenomenon. Granted, other things have been confusing over the years, but the Chair Phenonmenon has always been at the top. The people of this wonderful town get really excited about their holidays and events. The Fourth of July Parade is a big deal here in Pitman. When I first moved here, I saw chairs set out in the last week of June, all down Broadway and couldn’t figure out why they were there. Then the parade came and I realized the chairs were set out by folks who wanted to ensure a good seat. I’ve seen dozens, maybe even a hundred chairs up and down the main drag in the days leading up to the parade. It’s been something I’ve come to expect and enjoy about this town.
So you can imagine how sad I was when I saw this -
Now, I don’t know if this was a one time thing or if this is the way it’s going to be from now on. But the army of chairs, all didn’t shapes and sizes, some linked with rope or labeled with notes, wasn’t part of my July 4th this year. And with one little sign, which communicated a clear message took some of Pitman’s magic away.
