Forget what the calendar says or the weather “people” say,
(who are wrong more than right), SUMMER HAS ARRIVED!
Some
people believe Memorial Day launches summer others say the
calendar’s June 21 date is officially the beginning,
but neither are right.
It really is easy to tell when summer hits the Thumb of Michigan.
Look down the streets at sights only seen during the summer
season: Lines of cars at traffic lights and people hurrying
in and out of shops. You actually have to be cautious walking
on the sidewalks because they are so crowded.
Miniature
golf courses, parks and beaches have sounds only heard in
summer — shrieks, yells and laughter of kids
of all ages having great family fun. Constant traffic in
the boat ramps is another sign as anglers come and go hoping
to
fetch a fresh fish dinner (say that fast a few times).
Docks and harbors have larger boats visiting looking for
a berth
for the night or fuel.
Summer is truly rolling along when the Fourth of July arrives.
The date is a major drawing card for our area because we celebrate
it with fantastic parades and fireworks. Communities this year
spread the activities out to last the entire weekend. Visitors
could catch parades and fireworks Saturday, Sunday and yet
again on Monday.
In
each town, parade goers line up chairs the day before assuring
them the best seats to view the activities.
Youngsters line
the parade routes eagerly awaiting a chance to catch
the candy, beads or milk cartons tossed from the floats.
I
only attended
Port Austin’s fireworks, but I don’t think
they could have been outdone by any others in the area.
I’ve watched the fireworks in my town for 50 years and
As I Saw It: This year was the very best! The display lasted
longer, had greater variety and each soared well up into the
darkness on what was a perfect evening to enjoy them. Although
many of our visitors had departed, other thumb residents took
their place and loud cheers were heard as the rockets burst — YES
SUMMER ARRIVED WITH A REAL BLAST!
As
we enjoyed our festivities and barbecues with family and
friends, we were mindful of the meaning
of the
Fourth of
July — our
independence. We all saluted our flag as it was
proudly carried along parade routes. We honored
our heroes
with grateful
hearts for their sacrifices and visited memorials
displaying their
names.
If you have been watching the news the past months, you have
seen spots around the world where people are striving to obtain
their independence. We need to implore our elected officials
in Washington to preserve and protect our hard fought independence
by unifying and re-instating our respected position in the
world.
It
has been reported 50 percent of those serving in congress
are millionaires, which puts them
out of touch
with the
common person in our country. They must, however,
develop a workable
budget and restructure the tax base — even if it means
they will pay more. They need to acknowledge where the government’s
funding came from: Many young families that
have lost all they had.
After
celebrating our country’s beginnings, let’s
all demand our elected officials work together
to renew hope and put pride back in America.