Fair thoughts and a Happy Anniversary
…Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the 2011 Greene County Fair so far. The Messenger editorial staff continues to be busy during the fair week this year, snapping photos and covering the many wonderful events and activities that have been happening throughout the week. From the Fair Queen and Wool Queen Pageants to the 4-H shows, from the truck and tractor pulls to the many fun throw-up rides (and I use that term as a compliment), it’s no surprise to discover that the fair is once again a big success.
By the way, congratulations to Samantha Morris, daughter of Robert and Sheila Morris of Ruff Creek, who was crowned 2011 Greene County Fair Queen during the pageant on Aug. 6. Also, a round of applause goes out to Sadie Wright, the 16-year-old daughter of Jeff and Pam Wright of Mt. Morris, who was crowned Lamb and Wool Queen during a pageant on Monday. Look inside this issue for in-depth coverage and photos about the 2011 Greene County Fair. (And be sure to check out the Messenger next week for even more fair coverage, including highlights from the 4-H Market Lamb and Steer sales.)
Even though by the time many of you read this column the fair will soon be ending, there will still be plenty of fun to be found at the fairgrounds on the last two nights.
Friday will feature the return of the popular Demolition Derby at 7 p.m., and earlier in the day the fair will also feature the Stockman’s competition and tractor driving competition And on Saturday, the fair will feature an evening of truck and tractor pulls presented by Power Pulling Production, LLC, which will feature plenty of machines flexing their mechanical muscles.
So if you haven’t gotten yer butts out to the 2011 fair yet, then you better get movin’ to the fairgrounds, because time is running out…
…Speaking of time running out: Attending the August fair has made me realize that the summer will be soon coming to a close. Is it just me, or has this summer been flying by? We are just mere weeks away from September and school will soon be back in session, and I have to be honest, it’s starting to depress me.
As much as I love the fall season, the end of the summer really makes me sad. I mean, I think about all of the summer activities that I swore I was going to do, but because of my hectic schedule I didn’t get to do any of them. I didn’t ride the frightening roller coasters at Cedar Point, I didn’t put on a bathing suit and ride the water slides at Sandcastle. I didn’t visit the playground and hop on a swing during a cool summer evening. I didn’t enjoy a double-feature at the Skyview Drive-In. I didn’t go horseback riding, or take my wife on a picnic in the country. Now that I think about it, what I mostly did for fun this summer was sit in an air-conditioned room and watch TV. But you know what? There’s still some time. Time to make all those things happen. And I’ll really do them. Right after my next TV show.
Seriously, I don’t know about anyone else, but I just wish this summer season would slooooooow down. I’m not ready yet for the inevitable and impending doom of barren trees, colder weather, shorter days and gray skies. Besides, there are still so many things I’d like to do before we bid farewell to summer.
But if there is any consolation to fall rearing its chilly head, it’s knowing that there will be fewer outdoor chores that will need to be done. No more mowing grass, running frantically from bees, or sweating through a wide variety of indoor and outdoor home improvement projects.
Know what else is great about the end of summer? Three things: No more humidity, the return of football, and the fact that my wife and I will be celebrating another wedding anniversary.
August 14 will mark our 18th anniversary, and the more I think about how many years we’ve been together, the more it stuns me. After nearly two decades of marriage, I am proud to say that I love her more this very minute than I did when I first said “I Do,” all the way back in 1993…And I’m amazed that she has put up with me all this time.
I think about when we first met, and wonder just what the heck she saw in me…I was in college, and I had long hair, wore an earring and ripped up jeans, and basically looked like an idiot, and somehow, she still fell in love with me. And with much regret, I think about the many times over the years when I acted like a jerk and treated her badly, and then it stuns me that she chose to forgive me, again and again.
And then I think about how many awesome moments we’ve shared together over the years, and it makes my heart glad. Too many wonderful memories to count, and yet I cherish each and every one of them.
I have repeatedly joked in this column that I think the only reason she is still with me is because she lost a bet, and sometimes I think that’s really true…But the bottom line is, I couldn’t imagine my life without her, and very rarely does a day go by that I don’t thank God for blessing me with the most wonderful woman I could ever dream of spending my life with.
(And if that doesn’t get me out of the doghouse for forgetting to do the laundry, then nothing will.)
Seriously, I just want to wrap up this column by saying to Crystal, my best friend and soul mate for the past 18 years of married bliss: Thank you for the many wonderful years we’ve shared together, and here’s to growing closer together and growing old together.
Happy Anniversary…
…Speaking of August: Here’s a little reminder about an upcoming event that has long been a tradition in Greene County.
The 29th annual Mason-Dixon Frontier Festival will be held on Aug. 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. Admission is free, and those attending are encouraged to sign up for door prizes at the Mason-Dixon booth. The event will feature crafts, music, pre-1840 living history encampment, 1860-1900 encampment, antique engines and cars, blacksmith demonstration, civil war encampment and much more. Golf cart shuttle rides will be available. To get there, take Interstate 79 to exit 1, Mt. Morris, to Creek Road. From there, it is a half-mile to Mason-Dixon Park in Pa.
For more info about this event, call 304-879-5500 or 304-879-5372, email keeperoftheland@aol.com or go online at www.masondixonpark.net…