Use your imagination

The mind of a newspaper editor wanders as he learns more about the proposed dinosaur museum and contemplates the mysterious hole in the center of the centennial planter.
Let’s start with the latter, then do the former.
The town announced earlier this year that it would be trying something new in the centennial planter at the end of our main street. For years, it’s featured a beautiful display of flowers that project the image of a buffalo. It was a hit with tourists, who we’d often spot being photographed in front of it.  When done right, we loved it, too.
In recent years, though, it’s only been good for about a month or two. As the town has added properties and buildings for the public works crew to maintain, the planter didn’t get the attention it needed. By mid to late summer, the weeds had taken over.
We wholeheartedly agree: It’s time to try something new.
But now it’s a guessing game as to what the “new thing” will be.
For out-of-town subscribers who may not be aware, the town crew moved in a couple weeks ago with a backhoe, dug an enormous hole in the center of it and left.
Immediately reached to our town administrator to inquire about the new plan. She said the creative minds at Town Hall were working overtime and had come up with a great plan.  I didn’t press for details, figuring it would be fun to try to figure it out as it developed.
I’ve always thought that with the way our downtown is set up, an elevated bandstand with a nice Greybull-themed backdrop would be ideal in that spot. Could be used for the ‘49ers street dance and other downtown events such as the Hispanic heritage night.
Spearfish, S.D., has been very successful running a summer concert series on Thursday nights. It blocks off its main street, lines up vendors and bands and watches the people roll in for a good time.  Obviously, there is more of a population base there to support it, but Greybull could do it on a smaller scale. Even if it’s just once a month to start. Fun to dream. For now, we’ll just sit back and wait for that hole to be explained.
Which leads into the dinosaur museum — and another opportunity to let your imagination run wild.  We’ve devoted considerable ink over the years to various visions of a dinosaur and geoscience museum, in all kinds of locations around town.
Never before has it felt this close to becoming a reality.
Since the water leak two Decembers ago, the library/museum building has been on a roll.  Museum exhibits have been cleaned up and organized.  Volunteers stepped up.  They hired the right people.  The community bought in. It’s been a great story.
All along, those folks have dreamed of expansion.  It’s exciting that a plan has emerged that will allow them to do that. Along with it, we’d be adding a museum that would immediately become a must-see for tourists. Their fascination with dinosaurs knows no limits.
Of course, the agreement that was signed last week is just a step in the journey. The pressure is on the town to identify and tap sources of grant funding to build it. That needs to happen.  One gets the sense that the BHBDGM will be able to reach its goal, considering it’s already a third of the way there.
If this project gains momentum, we can all let our imaginations run.  There’s a saying: A rising tide lifts all boats.  It applies here as well.  Every business would benefit.
— Nathan Oster