A City with Heart
Hartley, Iowa, takes the idea of a “welcome mat” to higher ground. In this friendly, hard-working farming community, you will get more than just a token greeting if you stop and linger. Hartley residents are working to make everyone feel welcome and are building connections between seniors and youth, old and new, and people from varying roots and perspectives. Today, with a population edging 1,700, Hartley prioritizes its people above all else.
A community-visioning rally in January 2005, sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation, sparked this fresh tide of local connections and activity. At the rally, and much to everyone’s surprise, the community learned that Hartley’s youth and seniors shared similar visions and ideas. Young people expressed that they felt their families were spending too much time driving out of Hartley to go shopping and to find fun things to do. Likewise, area seniors shared a desire for more opportunities to stay in Hartley, both for social and shopping needs.
High school students illustrated the problem through an original skit they performed at the rally. The skit humorously depicted Hartley’s past, present and future, and poignantly drew attention to things that used to be in Hartley that were no longer, such as a youth community center with youth-oriented activities. Area grammar school students created placemats for the rally, depicting their image of “Hartley 2020” with a rainbow of color and at times humorous ideas from the eyes of a child, such as “Hartley needs a beach.”
Such involvement and integration of varying age groups formed an important theme at the rally, inspiring many of the resulting ideas and actions. “Having the youth of Hartley join in so creatively at the rally really sparked us old-timers to start thinking freshly about our community,” reflects a senior resident.
Today, the “Zodiac group” (named after an activity at the rally where people were grouped by zodiac sign) meets monthly and spearheads a diverse range of community activities. “The ‘zodiac’ concept hit home with us as it nails our philosophy,” explains a resident. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Scorpio or Sagittarius, everyone works together as a part of Hartley.” The Zodiac group first surveyed Hartley residents asking their opinion on 50 events ranging from larger community-wide celebrations to regular card games. Survey results pointed to a strong interest in both keeping annual local traditions going, such as Hartley’s Summer Celebration held every August, and launching new events, particularly during times of the year when there isn’t as much going on. To help Zodiac succeed, the city applied for and received an AmeriCorps grant that helped employ a Hartley resident part time to fully focus on Zodiac events.
The “Festival of Trees” proved to be one of these events that reflects the deeply rooted spirit and pride of Hartley’s residents. With a mission to involve the whole community, particularly people and businesses normally on the outskirts, the Zodiac committee plunged into recruiting participation and publicity for this event held in December. While the core of the event focused on over 50 Christmas trees displayed around downtown, decorated and sponsored by various businesses and service clubs, the trees proved to be a solid beginning for the event. Approaching nearly every Hartley business on a one-on-one basis, the Zodiac committee has seen the Festival of Trees snowball, reinvigorating residents by offering a reason for everyone in Hartley to come together.
“People were jokingly complaining they couldn’t find a parking space in Hartley for the first time in their life,” a committee organizer says with a smile. From a volunteer Mrs. Claus reading to kids to a concert by the church youth bell ringers, from a puppet show to free popcorn, the Festival of Trees brings out the best in Hartley as residents stroll the streets on what was once a sleepy Sunday afternoon. Even the chicken at the “Christmas Critters” petting zoo laid an egg on-site, much to the kids’ delight. Hartley’s elderly shut-ins participated as the municipally owned telecommunications company videotaped the event and televised it over the local cable station, narrated by a talented area high school student.
With the success of the Festival of Trees, the Zodiac committee initiated plans for other events and programs, including an “Adopt a Resident” program where local families adopt a Hartley resident in an area assisted-living facility. Suddenly, opportunities multiplied for different generations to connect through the simple acts of playing cards or sharing a meal. Other Zodiac-sponsored events range from strategic, such as a trade show to encourage shopping locally to an adult prom — a fun reason to get dressed up and have a night out in Hartley, using the high school’s decorations and setup. Additionally, Zodiac organizes the annual Summer Celebration, during which various Hartley school reunions take place, providing a reason for families to come back and visit.
Not only do alumni return to visit, increasing numbers are coming back to stay. With strong family and faith ties, more families return to Hartley, drawn by the affordable housing, modest cost of living and quality school system. Such a positive influx helps Hartley overcome past economic hardships. In 2003, a local beef packing plant closed its doors, eliminating 350 local jobs and causing families to move or commute out of Hartley for employment. Such a loss caused Hartley to place even greater priority and emphasis on strengthening community ties. For example, a revamped Welcome Basket with various promotions and coupons invites new residents to try different area businesses.
Fresh entrepreneurial ventures now bloom in downtown Hartley, including a new coffeehouse with a welcoming, cozy d&#$i;cor that invites both residents and visitors to linger and connect. “That’s my chair,” shouts the local school bus driver with a smile as he stops by for a lunch of homemade soup. “Where are you from? What brings you to Hartley?” These questions quickly welcome and engage visitors to Hartley who may think they are just popping in for a quick cup of coffee and end up engaged in an hour of conversation with Hartley locals.
Hartley remains a community rooted in taking care of its own. By owning its own utilities — electric, gas, water and telecommunications — rates remain some of the lowest in Iowa and citizens have a say in what happens. “I feel connected to Hartley by knowing I’m part owner of these utilities and am asked to vote on the bigger, important issues,” comments a long-time area resident. The cable company keeps Hartley on the progressive edge of technology, with broadband access throughout town.
Understanding the importance of diverse local leadership to continue Hartley’s forward momentum, the Zodiac committee organized a candidates’ forum for the 2005 elections for three city council seats and the mayoral position. A strong showing of over 150 people attended the event, in addition to residents viewing the forum broadcast over the local cable network. This forum helped prompt a high voter turnout of 57 percent of eligible voters and gave exposure to new leadership voices. A newer Hartley resident who ran and was elected to the city council gave credit to the forum for helping her win: “I was the dark horse as no one would have known me if not for the candidates’ forum.”
Hartley takes its residents to heart, realizing that bricks and mortar may make the structure of a community, but it’s the people that bring it all together. In a world focused on bigger, better and faster, Hartley provides an inspiring reminder on what community once was and can be again, with a friendly hello and an open welcome mat.