In the ever evolving process that is my writing this monthly contribution to The Voice, my plan was to write about events of the upcoming month. For the second month in a row I will begin my offerings with comments about events of the previous month. My guess is that may be how it will be most months moving forward.

Some of you may remember that I mentioned in my June column that I wondered what Mother Nature had in store for us for the month of July. Well I guess I found out on the evening of July 15.

Earlier that day Mrs. Christakos mentioned to me that the local meteorologists were predicting that a derecho could be coming to the Kewanee area. Now I consider myself a somewhat educated person, but I literally had no idea what she was talking about. I had never heard of a derecho. Well I guess I found out what derechos were all about later that night.

I don’t know about you but…

If we never have another derecho hit Kewanee (or anywhere) again that will be alright with me. I suppose we are all fortunate that the tornadoes spawned by this storm were only of the F1 variety. While tree and property damage really stinks, at least there was no loss of life reported that I know of resulting from these storms.

I don’t know about you but…

If we have to live another hour in our lives without power to our home it will be one hour too long, let alone the 47 hours that were endured as result of the havoc wrecked by this extreme weather event. By the way, a big thank you goes out to all those that work so diligently to restore power to the homes that literally had the lights go out. I also think it speaks well of the citizens of Kewanee that those that escaped with little or no damage pitched in to help those that took the brunt of the damage resulting from Mother Nature’s fury.

I don’t know about you but…

I think that the Prairie Chicken Arts Festival is a great event for Kewanee and the surrounding area. The fact it went so well being held the weekend after the damage occurred to Kewanee is a testament to the efforts of those that organized, worked or made any contribution to the event. There was plenty of outstanding artwork and activities for people of all ages, especially the young ones, to enjoy. I know my grandchildren enjoyed the sidewalk chalk art, the giant sand pile, the dunk tank and snow cones among other attractions.

Now what about August you ask? Well August is full of all kinds of things to contemplate. For example, hip hop will be celebrating the 51st anniversary of its birth on August 11.

I don’t know about you but…

That will be one birthday that I won’t be celebrating. Not that there’s anything wrong with hip hop, it is just not my cup of tea when it comes to music. It is probably a generational thing. After all, I was almost 20 years old when it came into existence.

The week of August 16 is National Elvis Week. I don’t know about you but…

I think the fact that a week has been set aside to celebrate the life of the man, the myth and the legend that was Elvis Presley so long after he has left this planet, says a lot about what baby boomers and those much younger thought of him. And yes, Elvis has left the building and he isn’t going to return. My opinion!!

August 13 is National Filet Mignon Day. I don’t know about you but…

I think enjoying a filet with all the trimmings is one great meal. I personally like to think of eating filets as a luxury to be savored and enjoyed only periodically. I like mine medium rare, especially if it comes from one of the several Tucker Steak Houses located in the St. Louis area.

When I was growing up, and even when I first became an educator, the start of school was associated with the Labor Day weekend. I don’t know about you but…

It seems that for the last few decades the beginning of school is now toward the middle of August. Not sure why. I think it mostly has to do with wanting to complete the first semester before the Christmas break. I know that having air conditioned school buildings makes it a little easier on both the students and the teachers. I remember my students melting into their desks during the especially hot and humid days of late August and early September.

I don’t know about you but…

I believe that most educators (and some students…) look forward to the beginning of a new school year. I was one of those who couldn’t wait for the new school year. Why, you ask? Because a new school year meant that a new high school football season was about to begin (along with the collegiate and professional football seasons). Each high school football season that I was part of as a player or coach was met with great anticipation.

When you think of it, every Friday night’s high school football game is a celebration for towns all across America- celebrations for communities like Kewanee, and even those larger and smaller. The celebrations come complete with bands, cheerleaders, dance squads, pork chops being grilled and, once a season, a grand homecoming event. I encourage everyone to get out and join in the celebrations and reward the youngsters that work so hard to put on the show.

I don’t know about you but…

I guess I wonder what it would be like if everyone in our great town were rooting for the same team on Friday nights?

I don’t know about you but…

On that note, I should wrap up this edition. I leave you with my thought of the month.

This month’s thought comes from a quote that Mark Twain was given credit for. “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference”. Remember August is a great month to take naps provided you can find a nice cool place.