Say, It's Only A Paper Moon
It’s finally happening.
After years of dreaming, scheming, and loading friends, family, and coworkers with sugary test treats, Paper Moon is officially in the works for Cortland. Like, actually happening this time.
Why Paper Moon?
Inspiration for the name has it’s roots in both the song It’s Only A Paper Moon, as well as the 1974 film classic Paper Moon starring Tatum and Ryan O’Neal, both of which were (shocker!) influenced by the concept of a ‘paper moon.’
So here’s a quick little history lesson for ya:
Back in the day before selfies and smartphones, people would get their pictures taken at fairs and carnivals by a photographer. Backdrops to these photos were commonly crescent moons crafted out of paper and set in a sky full of stars to portray the illusion that people were literally sitting in the sky.
The irony of these photos was that even though they were beautiful, they were impossible, highlighted by the appearance of stars in the crescent where the moon’s shadow would typically be in real life. Despite this flaw, photos sitting in a paper moon had meaning because they were taken with a loved one. This concept, that life and all it contains is false until love is added, influenced the popular song It’s Only A Paper Moon.
Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
The song’s refrains of “It wouldn’t be make believe if you believed in me” and “Without your love, it's a honky tonk parade / Without your love, it's a melody played in a penny arcade” highlight how the right company can transform a typical or otherwise shallow experience into something special.
“It wouldn’t be make believe if you believed in me” ends each verse, and drives home the idea that love and meaning exist where you assign it.
The film Paper Moon follows a similar theme. The oddly endearing plot portrays the life of a little girl trying to swindle her way to ends meet with her father during the Great Depression. The hard knock life of the 30s was only bearable because of the father-daughter love they shared, a kind of meaning they assigned to their lives to keep trucking on.
One of my favorite scenes in this movie takes place in a 1930s diner, which is where I have taken inspiration for the aesthetic of Paper Moon.
The idea of running my own coffee shop/bakery has become my own sort of ‘Paper Moon,’ a dream that has kept me going during long days at the office, sitting behind desk and longing to be creative. With love and support, I’m hoping to turn it into a reality.
So, Paper Moon it is!
Now, enough of that artsy love nonsense, why Cortland?
Cortland is incredibly near and dear to my heart. Some of my earliest memories took root here, from Easter egg hunts at Grandpa’s to tractor pulls at Cortland Fest. It’s the town I’ve learned to call home over the past couple of years as I establish myself as an adult. But above all, the town’s sense of community amazes me. Residents of Cortland take pride of their town, and are dedicated to keeping it the quaint, family friendly place it’s always been. My grandpa put a lot of his heart and soul into the town. I want to continue the tradition and invest in the community in the best way I know how: creating art and food to share.
As many know, there is no place between Lincoln and Beatrice on 77 to stop and eat. Cortland residents have to travel to surrounding communities if they don’t feel like cooking. Community members deserve to have a place to get together, whether it be after a ball game, church, or just passing through on a journey elsewhere. Long story short, I want to create a space for residents to make new memories, celebrate Cortland’s community culture, and indulge in treats that have been crafted from local recipes.
What will Paper Moon have?
The menu has been a work in progress for the past 10 years. I’ve been making, reworking, and perfecting classic family recipes, serving them to just about anyone to get constructive feedback. So far the menu will have coffee, homemade ice cream treats ( summer time only sundaes, bananas foster, cones, etc), rotating baked goods made with local, seasonal ingredients, and eventually ‘Paper Lunches,’ which will feature sandwiches, a homemade side, and cookie for dessert.
In a world of quick access and instant gratification, plenty of things have lost their meaning. But Paper Moon will strive to put the love back into food experiences using longstanding family recipes and simple, wholesome ingredients. You’re not going to find flashy pretense or fancy showmanship. What you will find is a unique place to gather with friends and family, share memories and sweet treats in an environment that draws from the simplicity of the past.
Whew.
Ok. I think that about covers it.
But right now, this is all just a ‘pie in the sky’ dream. There is loads of work to be done, and money to be raised. To be honest, I’m terrified. This is going to be a huge leap for me. I’m going to need plenty faith and a great deal of help. I wanted to get the word out and keep everyone up-to-date with the progress of the project. Stay tuned, because I’m planning on posting before and after pictures, as well as weekly posts about this journey on this blog so everyone can be a part of this process. After all, this will hopefully be a community space, and I want people to feel like they have a part in it!
So that’s that for now. I truly appreciate everyone’s support in advance. It may only be a ‘Paper Moon’ dream at the moment, but ‘it won’t be just make believe if you believe in me.’
-Lindsey