A catch phrase from a commercial in the 1970s exclaimed, “it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” It’s also not nice to fool with Mother Nature. We’re seeing the effects of humanity’s tampering with Earth’s darkest regions in the Gulf of Mexico right now. Oil, and all the economic prosperity it brings to nations across the world, is flooding our oceans, killing marine life, and blackening our beaches.

Greenville, just a few hundred miles away from the Alabama coast, is not immune. People who live here have, or know someone who has, a condominium on Alabama’s shores. The Alabama Gulf Coast remains a top destination for local residents seeking a weekend getaway. Alabama’s beaches draw tax dollars to both Greenville and Georgiana. Less travel means less people stopping in the county for gas, fast food or a hotel room.

The good news is that Cambrian Ridge is not going anywhere. Golfers will always flock to one of the premier golf courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. People from outlying communities and other counties are also going to come shop at the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The Edge Theatre is also a draw, especially here with summer movie season about to start. Greenville still has much to offer.

What also helps is the city’s hosting of this year’s Dixie Youth Majors State Tournament. eleven teams from across the state are coming to Greenville July 23-29. Hotel rooms have already been booked for those days. All-star teams travel with entourages, everyone from parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, so having that number of people in the Camellia City for those seven days will be great for area restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and other area businesses. The tournament just might help cushion the loss of any tax revenue due to fewer travelers on the road.

This year.

Next year – and the years to come – remains to be seen.