28 January

Taps For A Failing Building, Champagne For An Independent Pharmacy

by Jon Katz
Celebrating A Saved Independent Pharmacy
Celebrating A Saved Independent Pharmacy

Bridget O’Hearn got up at dawn this cold morning, she came to the pharmacy with her mother and father and staff – Margaret and Olive – to celebrate the demolition of the building next door, a building whose disintegration came to threaten the very existence of her pharmacy, one of only two independent pharmacies left in my entire county. Alan Robertson of the Cambridge Marching Band came out in the cold to play taps for the building next door to the pharmacy, slated for demolition today.

The building next door has been floundering for years, but things got worse last year. Town officials told Bridget to keep customers out of the store since November, they feared the building next door would collapse, she set up an improvised office next door and the town flocked to support her and the idea of an independent pharmacy. Bridget brought some champagne, which nearly froze in the cups it was so cold. She is happy, she has come through a hard town, thanks to her own warmth and great professionalism and the town’s deep love for her and her family. It means a lot when you are sick to have a pharmacist who knows who you are and what you need. It meant a lot to me this year, it has meant a lot to many others over the years.

Maria and I got up early also and we were never happier to live in any place than we are to live in this town. Today, Bridget is the very spirit of community, rural life, connection and a way of life that does not want to die. It still lives here, and I think people divided about many things are united about this: they mean to keep community alive here.

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