There are so many things to revisit from recent events. And then I will share the idea that the month of August is missing something that the rest of the months have.
I don’t know about you, but…
I believe the show must go on. This is evidenced by the fact that the Prairie Chicken Arts Festival weathered a Saturday morning downpour and still ended up having a very successful festival. Even though a lot of the chalk art was dampened, the giant sand pile became a muddy mess, and the go-carts didn’t run on Saturday, the event was still festive and a good time for all that attended.
A special thanks goes to all that contributed artwork, and congratulations go to all the artists who won awards. Also, a special thank you goes to James Zahara from Channel 8 Weather for the great job he did informing our two grandsons about the WQAD weather truck and storm chasing.
I read recently that the Henry County Board okayed two new solar farms near Annawan. I don’t know about you, but…
I really don’t have a problem with solar farms and wind farms. It is my opinion that alternatives to energy derived from fossil fuels need to continue to be explored and created as we move forward. Besides, one of the aforementioned solar farms proposes to include pollinator acreage and some grazing space for animals within the farm property. Now that can’t be bad, can it?
I know that some consider wind farms and solar panels to be eye sores. I believe that after a time we won’t even give them any more consideration than we do to all the utility poles that have dotted our landscapes for a long, long time. I believe in green energy, so much so, that I put my money where my mouth is. I have invested in a Green Mutual Fund for years. It just seems to me to be the right thing to do.
I don’t know about you, but…
I believe that by and large, the citizens in Kewanee and surrounding communities have done a great job of volunteering to help out their fellow man. However, I read recently that the state of volunteerism across our great nation is in dire straits. My suggestion is that if you are not doing some volunteer work in some form, please join in to help others. In my opinion, there is no such thing as too much volunteering.
I don’t know about you, but…
I love the fact that Kewanee has a Farmer’s Market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, even though it isn’t huge by any means. For quite a few years, I have chosen not to have a vegetable garden at our home. The Farmer’s Market gives me an opportunity to enjoy fresh produce (and other items) without the labor of maintaining a vegetable garden. I would encourage all that do not already have a source of fresh produce, to get out and check the offerings at the Kewanee Farmers Market. Sweet corn anyone?
I don’t know about you, but…
I believe the pitch clock to be a great addition to the game of baseball. Were pitchers soft? Just throw the doggone ball. And what were hitters doing? Quit adjusting your equipment, and do what you came to home plate to do, hit! The pace of the games is much better because of all the time-saving measures MLB implemented. I enjoy the fact that the games don’t take half a day to complete anymore. Now the jury is still out as to how I feel about having a swing-off to determine the winner of the All-Star game.
I don’t know about you, but…
I am concerned about how the rift between our country’s executive and judiciary branches will play out in the upcoming months and even years. People smarter than I have suggested that, while the judiciary has, and may continue to find, the President’s actions unconstitutional, it may lack an enforcement mechanism to stop him. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett notes, “That while the executive branch has a duty to follow the law, the judiciary’s ability to force compliance has its limitations.” Aren’t politics grand? Geez!
And now how did August get left out? I don’t know about you, but…
I think it did. If you count Easter and Good Friday as federal holidays (even though they’re not), August is the only month that doesn’t have a federal holiday celebrated. A federal holiday is defined as a public holiday established by the federal government. Federal employees, and many others, usually get a paid day off from work and federal offices are closed for the day.
The following idea is not mine. It was suggested to me by an associate, and it seems to make sense to me, so I thought I would share it with you. Aug. 26 is Women’s Equality Day, marking the day in 1920 when the 19th Amendment was signed, winning women the right to vote. In 1973 that day was officially designated Women’s Equality Day. A day with such historical importance could, and maybe should, be designated a federal holiday. Therefore, August wouldn’t have to feel left out. Anyone in favor of another day off of work?
Actually, August does have a lot going for it. After all, it is National Dog Month. I don’t know about you, but…
Being the dog lover that I am, I think that alone makes it a great month.
I don’t know about you, but…
The fact that the football season now begins in August has improved the month’s importance to me. It seemed to me that in the past, September signified the beginning of the high school and collegiate football seasons. That has all changed. This year the high school football season in Illinois begins on or around Friday, Aug. 29. The college football season starts even earlier than that. I am looking forward to it. The NFL? It still begins its season in September. Are you ready for some football?
Aug. 10 is National Lazy Day. I don’t know about you, but…
I do not need a national day to be lazy. Laziness can occur any day of the year!
Aug. 21 is National Senior Citizens Day. I don’t know about you, but…
Senior citizens need to be celebrated every day. Now I know some of you are saying that I feel that way because I am a senior. Well, you would be correct. I guess in the back of my mind, I thought I might reach the point where I would be in that special group, but I never thought it would happen so quickly. I have never considered old age as a bad thing. In fact, it is just part of the cycle of life, and I wear it as a badge of honor. I have said it before, and I will say it again, old age is a privilege that not everyone gets to enjoy. So be nice for us seniors. Remember there are more and more of us every day.
The Henry-Stark American Cancer Society Relay for Life is on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Windmont Park from 6-10 p.m. I don’t know about you, but…
I think this wonderfully organized event is one of Kewanee’s best events of this nature. For almost 30 years this event has been raising money for cancer research, to help fund programs and to provide services for cancer patients and their families. Sounds like an interesting opportunity to volunteer. For more information, contact Nichelle at 309-5251727 or Amy at 309-853-6670. I know they could use your help.
I don’t know about you, but…
I find it interesting that for the last five years or so the Kewanee Elks have been sponsoring a Bloody Mary Bar from 9-12 a.m. on the Saturday of Hog Days. I refuse to believe that this being available at about the time that the Hog Stampede ends just a couple blocks around the corner from the Elks Lodge is a coincidence. It does present some interesting possibilities.
Just in case you didn’t realize it, seniors enjoy taking naps as much, if not more so, than any other group of people.
I will close with the thought of the month. Getting old is like a haunted house. There are sounds and smells that cannot be explained!
