Written by Carmen Hilton, Program Manager
Brunswick has ALL the Ingredients
I was recently asked by a reporter why I wanted to work in Brunswick and why I thought it was so special. It made me think of my interview process with the City. I used the story about Stone Soup in my interview presentation. It reminded me of Brunswick Stew. Do you know it? There are lots of iterations.
However, the fictional story I am referencing is about soldiers that have traveled a long distance and have come upon what appeared to be a deserted small town. They were so tired and so hungry that they could go no further and set up their camp in the middle of the town. Unfortunately, they had nothing to eat so they set their pot with water in it on the campfire and added rocks to it. What they didn’t know was that the town people were peeking out at them from the closed curtains of their homes. No one had much to eat in the town, but one person felt so bad for the tired soldiers she brought out a carrot to them. They were grateful and put it in the pot. From that point on others came out and put more ingredients in – potatoes, onions, greens, etc. By the time the last town person gave a piece of food from their depleted pantry, the stew smelled amazing. The soup was created in the same way Brunswick Stew originated—during times of scarcity, with a variety of ingredients tossed into the pot!”
It is the PERFECT tale to talk about this wonderful community. Brunswick has the Potomac River, C&O Canal Towpath, and rolling hills. Its location is incredible with borders on Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington County. The train comes through the downtown and a major highway is on it’s doorstep. With all these incredible “ingredients” I knew I wanted to do my part to help put it all together. Since 2020, the number of people using Brunswick’s natural resources has grown immensely. People biking, running, and walking the towpath, mountain biking the River’s Edge Trail, starting their hiking journey on the Appalachian trail, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming in the Potomac are a common site in this city.
And in the last 4 ½ years the downtown has blossomed with new stores, restaurants, personal service businesses and places to live. As the soldiers in the story found nourishment and hope through the generosity of the townspeople, Brunswick has thrived through the collective efforts of its community. Each new business, each visitor, and each resident adds their own unique ingredient to our vibrant town. Together, we have created a place where nature, history, and modern life blend seamlessly. We invite you to be a part of our story. Come explore Brunswick, where every path leads to discovery, every smile welcomes you, and every moment is an opportunity to contribute to our shared journey. Whether you’re here for a day or a lifetime, we can’t wait for you to experience all that Brunswick has to offer.