Before we discuss America’s 250th birthday and other happenings in the month of July, we have a few quick observations on recent occurrences of note.
I don’t know about you, but…
I attended the anniversary celebration at Wanee Theater on June 29 to view my favorite Clint Eastwood movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales, which was shown for free by Chris Tanzillo, the theater’s manager. The showing is to commemorate the anniversary of her parents’ operation of the theater. Bud and Katie Johnson operated the theater for 50 of its 80 years. The other movie choice that evening will be another blockbuster movie from 1975, Jaws. My guess is that I will consume some of the scrumptious Wanee Theater popcorn. Thanks to Bud and Katie for the years of bringing movie viewing to Kewanee. Also, thanks to Chris and Pete Tanzillo for keeping a Kewanee landmark viable.
I don’t know about you, but…
I really enjoy the fact that there is a Farmer’s Market in Kewanee. At Berrien Park in downtown Kewanee, on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon, and on Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m., locals can check out a variety of farmers’ products and other vendors’ offerings. Wednesday’s Farmers Market also includes a variety of food trucks and even live music from 6-8 p.m.
I don’t know about you, but…
I really feel bad for all of the organizers of the Kewanee Farmer’s Market and its participants, because two out of the first three Wednesday markets were cancelled, due to inclement weather. This Wednesday, temperatures soared into the 90s, although the event went on as planned. All I can say is, “Hang in there.” Sunny skies and cooler temperatures will return.
Speaking of inclement weather, I don’t know about you, but…
I was surprised to find out that there have been more tornadoes so far this calendar year in Illinois than there have been in any other state. That isn’t always the case. So far, the Kewanee area has dodged that proverbial bullet this year. Oops! I hope I didn’t jinx us!!!
I don’t know about you, but…
I wonder how many of you have been paying attention to the World Cup that began in June and doesn’t conclude until the middle of July. Now in full disclosure, even though I did play soccer a little as a youth, and in intramurals at Eastern Illinois University, I am not a big fan of the game. I do, however, pay some attention to the World Cup which happens only once every four years. What can I say? I really enjoy the intensity and passion created by the competition.
That being said, I really have some problems with the game of “football” as it is played on the international level. I mean, “What is stoppage time?” Can’t FIFA hire someone to turn the clock off and on when play is stopped? The players are taking a necessary hydration break, and yet the clock is still running. Really?
Another issue that I have is that they have only one official on the pitch to officiate a playing area larger than a football field. I also wonder if acting lessons are a prerequisite to becoming a world class soccer player. The slightest bump can have a player go down, seemingly writhing in pain, as if he were actually injured. Moments later that same player will be seen sprinting down the field, trying to get involved in a scoring chance. And don’t get me started on the practice of using penalty kicks to determine the winner of matches in the knockout round. Here’s what I mean. Can you imagine the NBA using a free-throw-shooting contest to determine the winner of an overtime playoff game? Are you kidding me? I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
On another subject, I don’t know about you, but…
I believe that democracy is a very poor form of government. It just happens to be the best one available. We must not forget all the horrible atrocities that have occurred in history when the wrong form of government was in operation, or a tyrant came to power. Instead of criticizing our form of government and finding flaws with the ways we are governed, we need to work together to make our imperfect form of government the best it can be.
I don’t know about you, but…
I think the fact that our nation turns 250 years old on the Fourth of July makes this Independence Day special. We celebrate 250 years of a democracy with a wonderful legacy. We celebrate a storied history, not without its stains and stigmas, but with many more glories and distinctions. It is a history that merits celebration.
I don’t know about you, but…
I believe we must not forget any part of our nation’s history, good or bad, lest we repeat the parts we are not particularly proud of. If the USA is to last for another 250 years, we must learn from our past and continue to grow and adapt.
I don’t know about you, but…
I wonder how much longer our great nation will survive. While there are many examples of republics or realms such as ours that have lasted much longer than ours, there are also examples of those that have ceased to exist for a variety of reasons, including implosion from within.
On the lighter side, speaking of our nation’s actual birthday, I don’t know about you, but…
I bet many of you didn’t know that the Declaration of Independence was not actually signed on July 4, 1776. That’s the day it was formally adopted by the Continental Congress. Most of the signing of the document didn’t happen until that August.
I don’t know about you, but…
I was surprised to learn that the first July 4 celebration didn’t take place until 1801. That is when Thomas Jefferson hosted the celebration at the White House. So by all means, celebrate our nation’s birthday, but do so in a safe manner.
I don’t know about you, but…
I was surprised to find out that the Prairie Chicken Arts Festival was born from the Wall Dogs Arts Festival. In July of 2013, the Wall Dogs Arts Festival became Prairie Chicken Days. This year the Prairie Chicken Arts Festival is July 17 and 18, and is complete with Santa’s Jingle and Mingle Dance Party, Guns & Hoses Breakfast, a vendor show, a chalk art competition, adult art show and competition and free children’s activities. Wonderful!
July 22 is National Hammock Day. I don’t know about you, but…
I believe a hammock is a great place to take a nap. I also believe that you should never miss an opportunity to take a nap in a hammock, or any place, anytime that you can.
I don’t know about you, but…
I think I should end with the thought of the month. This month’s thought comes from the lyrics of a song from the classic British blues-rock band Ten Years After. The song is “I’d Love to Change the World.” The refrain is as follows:
“I’d love to change the world
But I don’t know what to do
So I’ll leave it up to you”
Be careful out there!
