LETTER: New Richmond still ‘The City Beautiful’

To the Editor:

One of the perks of the last job I had before I retired was some international travel on my employer’s nickel. My favorite destination was China and within China my favorite destination was the City of Suzhou. Suzhou is about 40 miles west of Shanghai. The company I worked for has a manufacturing facility there.

Suzhou is known as one of the most beautiful cities in China. It was founded in 514 B.C. and has a population of approximately 5.81 million. (According to the plant manager that is rather small as far as Chinese cities go.) One of the attractions in Suzhou is its gardens. I had the opportunity to visit one of them, The Garden of the Humble Administrator. It was built in 1497, shortly after Columbus discovered America. Although it was more than 500 years old it was absolutely beautiful.

I grew up in a beautiful city, actually The City Beautiful. I loved my hometown but couldn’t wait to get to the bright lights of the big city. When I got there and someone asked where I was from I would reply Wisconsin. When they asked where in Wisconsin I would respond that I grew up in The City Beautiful. I was surprised at how many people said, “Oh, you’re from New Richmond.”

Forty-two years have passed since I left New Richmond for the bright lights of the big city. I’m retired now and decided to move back to New Richmond. A lot has changed and yet a lot remains the same. It is still a beautiful city, The City Beautiful. I’m hoping that someday soon I can find someone that can explain what actively inviting and naturally authentic means to me.

I’m a fan of the adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t break it.” Perhaps the citizens of New Richmond should preserve and honor their heritage as the citizens of Suzhou do.

Bob Groth

New Richmond

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion