Summer is Here!

Summer is really here! Who would have thought we would ever be wishing for rain again after the wet spell we had just a few weeks ago. But we could use a few drops right now. We all do need to send a prayer of thanks that we have been spared the really tragic weather that is still popping all around us. Many of us know people who have been affected by the storms. They need our thoughts as well.

The word here today (Monday) is hot, unseasonably hot. And you can get ready for my whining to begin. I am so NOT a summer person. Fortunately my housemate, Paula is so it is her you can see working in the yard no matter how hot it gets. She has lived on the Texas Gulf Coast for most of her life and she swears she barely feels the heat here. And don¡*t even bother to complain to her about the humidity. If it isn¡*t 90% or better, she doesn¡*t even acknowledge it.

Saturday was the Clay County Arts Council Celebration of the Arts at the Piggott Community Center. What a fun time that was! Terry Shultz chauffeured her mom, Demetra, Jessie Malin, Paula Benton, Lane Wozniak and me to the event and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The Traveling Whisk catered the meal and Sons of the Western Boot Heel provided musical entertainment. I am sure I missed a few entrandeƒVs before I realized that most (maybe all) of the songs they sang sounded familiar, but were paraphrased and were quite funny. I especially enjoyed the surprise visit from the spirit of the late Elvis Presley.

Keeping with the theme (cowboys) were also entertained with some real live cowboy rope tricks, some more successful than others. Young artists from Rector and Piggott were very well represented. And there were some stunning dance numbers performed by the students of the CCAC dance class. We have so much talent in our little town and are so lucky to have ladies like Gail Burns, Judy Hargrave, Ms. Caldwell and Amber Powell to make it blossom. Thank you ladies for all that you do for our children.

Demetra won the door prize, a beautiful picture frame from the Rector Flower Shop and we all came home with treasures procured at the silent auction. It was a very enjoyable evening and I look forward to next year¡*s

Lane Wozniak has returned from her trip to Maryland where she worked hard and found much more that needs to be done. I might see another Maryland trip for her in the future. She said the drive from the St. Louis Airport was a bugger with the wind blowing so hard. Landing in St. Louis was exciting as well. She was glad to get home and rest.

I forgot to mention last week that Ms. Ruth Wimberly was looking good on TV. Did you see her? She was interviewed by KAIT8 news for her work with the Dad Bags project. That is something else we can all be proud of. Don¡*t forget to contribute. They can use all our help all the time. Thank you Ms. Wimberly and everyone else who works to get those packages sent to our hometown heros!

Well, time to go. Don¡*t forget to share you summer news with me. We all want to hear about those vacations! Give me a call or email me. My phone number is 595-3173 or you can drop me a note at 514 West 3rd St. My email address is porchswing@newwavecomm.net.

Stay cool and be safe!