Fall 2011 Campaign Ends

As we neared the end of the 60 day display period allowed by the Buena Vista Zoning Ordinance for decorative signs, BV had its first taste of winter.  On November 29 and 30, a weather system surprised the Saginaw-Bay City-Midland area with 6 to 8 inches of snow.  This made it clear that our brave little signs could easily get lost amidst all the white stuff.  By Sunday, temps in the 40's and some rain made it easy to remove the sign supports from the soil.  So, on December 4, the Buena Save signs disappeared until Springtime.

Many thanks to the supportive homeowners and businesses - and to Buena Vista Charter Township - for providing "gallery space" for this out-of-the-mainstream public art project.  It is my intention to redouble my door-to-door efforts over the winter to secure display opportunities for more signs through the Spring and Summer driving seasons of 2012.  I also hope to build some more links from this Buena Save blog to sites that will connect this project to its historical roots and to other fun places in the vicinity.

Your questions, comments and suggestions are always welcome!  Please take the opportunity to let me know what you think. 

Thanks in advance -    Bill

2 More Sign Sets

In spite of a wind-driven rainstorm, 2 new sign sets were installed October 19.  These are on each side of Outer Drive, just north of Holland Avenue (M-46).  Southbound drivers see a message promoting Buena Vista's Town Center site as a good business location.  Northbound drivers get a message advancing the Township's "Buy BV First" campaign.

What's with these signs?

Buena Save is a chance to have some fun, in spite of a crummy economy.  When I was a kid, Burma Shave signs made car travel more enjoyable.  For anyone under 50, here's a chance to see what that was like.

If you're heading past Saginaw on I-75, pull off the freeway at Exit 149 (Highway M-46) or Exit 151 (Highway M-81).  Turn west, toward Saginaw.  The first cross street you come to will be Outer Drive.  From M-81, turn south (left).  From M-46 turn north (right).  Then, watch for the signs.  (As of October 18, 2011, there's only one set of signs, but more are on the way!)

If you drive into Buena Vista (or "BV," as they call it) for a bit of nostalgia, folks there may get a chance to serve you some of today's hospitality.  For anybody who lives in or around BV, I hope these signs can help you to better enjoy and appreciate the place you call home.

Wondering how somebody could use the terms "car travel" and "enjoyable" in the same sentence?  A friend of mine, Don Milne, runs a blog dedicated to the remembered pleasures of cross-country driving.  Check out Roadtrip-'62.com and enjoy the ride!

Pictures of Buena Save signs

First Buena Save signs go up!

If you turn south on Outer Drive from Washington Avenue (M-81), look on the right side of the road to see the first Buena Save message signs.  They're in the yards of five homes.  I'm grateful to the owners for their permission to put signs up.  The message is pretty simple:

     IF YOU ENJOY
     THIS LITTLE SITE
     PLEASE STOP IN TOWN
     AND HAVE A BITE
      BUENA - SAVE

Watch for more signs soon!  Let me know what you think.