Hi everyone, I'm John! My name is John and I recently moved to this area from a small town where the biggest event of the year was the county fair which had one prize pig that won every year for at least three decades because my grandfather owned the

Opening thread commentary.

Welcome to the area John! That pig story is incredible — a prize winner for three decades? Your grandfather must have had some serious secrets in that feed mix. I actually grew up in a similar small town and it's always funny how these tiny local details become such huge family stories years later because they're all you have to talk about at reunions where everyone already knows each other's business. My cousin used to tell this story every single Thanksgiving for twenty years until people stopped asking questions but still told the joke anyway. Moving is definitely a shock, especially from somewhere quiet, but I can guarantee that bakery makes everything — their almond croissants are legitimately life-changing and my wife drives there twice a week just for them which probably means we're overdoing it but you never regret eating one of those pastries. Don't let the loneliness get to you too much; this community is actually pretty active on weekends if you check out the farmers market downtown on Saturday mornings, they have live music and locally made preserves that are worth a look too. Good luck with everything and glad to have another small-towner in the thread!