Haverhill has been given a great new opportunity, and I hope the city makes the most of it.
I refer to the big, beautiful, spectacular fiberglass shoes that are now being displayed around the city by their sponsors.
Those huge shoes are symbols of the industry that built up the city and made it possible for Haverhill to survive and grow.
Now the city can capitalize on its development as a place that is unique and unusual.
Now is the time when a public relations campaign should start and move in many directions.
Some wonderful work has been done already by Team Haverhill, starting with the mailing of 5,000 post cards to people around the country and overseas, hoping to be certified for a world record that can bring us attention and recognition if we handle it right.
This is the time to use those big spectacular shoes in the best possible way by seeking and promoting widespread publicity.
Let's hope that the people on the team and in City Hall get even deeper into the spirit and action of promotion, because the opportunity is here.
There are places like press associations and television stations and programs that might be interested in why we have the shoes and what they stand for.
We now have T-shirts that advertise the city and the shoes. It would be something special if all the members of the City Council and the mayor wore those shirts at a council meeting. It would make quite a picture.
There might be a voting contest about the shoes, with prizes for the prettiest or the most spectacular, and well-known people as judges.
Did someone say Tom Bergeron — the TV show host who is a Haverhill native?
How about a modern footwear contest? Haverhill was famous for years for women who modeled the shoes made here and displayed at shoe shows around the country.
Invite television shows to visit the city and see how we honor our heritage, something no one else will do.
Now we do have a good symbol for a city that is proud if its past, and the big shoes are so special they are being admired, photographed and talked about.
This is our opportunity to set up a new and positive image for the city.
But beyond that, let's enjoy it. Let's be different and humorous and even silly at times as we fall into the spirit of imagination that brought about those big shoes.
We can laugh and cheer and not be afraid of showing good feelings about something special.
It has been a long time since we have had a good excuse for having a good time, so let's just be foolish now and then and not worry about being undignified or stuffy.
Wouldn't it be great if we put the big shoes on wheels for a parade around the city? Of course, that would make them roller skates.
Then there was the "old lady who lived in a shoe." Well, we could have a young and pretty one.
In any event, let us make the most of these gifts that have been put in the city's lap and get going on a program that will help Haverhill in many ways. Don't just let them sit there (or stand there) when we can do so much more for the city and for each of us as individuals.
We have come a long way, but there is plenty of room ahead. One giant step at a time. We can walk in our own shoes.
(As I said earlier, get a bit foolish. Now is the time, if ever.)
ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ Barney Gallagher has covered Haverhill since 1936 as a reporter, editor and columnist.
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