It is almost Labor Day! I am so excited. I can hardly wait. I just love the parade and the picnic and the food and most of all seeing all the people who wander into town. Every year there is something new. This year it is the Paul Frets art exhibit. Don't miss that.

I am glad to see that the museum is going to be offering special hours, as well. Look through the paper carefully. I am sure there are announcements of more fun and interesting things to look forward to. You won't be wanting to miss out on anything, like the carnival or the rodeo or one of the reunions.

I suppose the Garden Club has been working overtime to pretty up the planters on Main Street and the parks. Not that they weren't looking wonderful to begin with. Demetria Schultz and I were admiring the planter in front of Hills Pharmacy the other day. It may be the prettiest of the lot. They all do so much to perk up the down town area. Thank you Garden Clubbers. You are doing a wonderful job.

Ed and Nancy Englehardt, of Ruston, Virginia spent a few days in town to say good-by to Ed's father, Ed Wright, who passed away early in the week. A sad reason to be in town, but I was glad to get to visit with Ed and Nancy for a while.

Mack, Jane and Lisa Manchester provided a place for them to light while they were here and I believe there were a few reminiscences while everyone was gathered around. I only slipped and called him "Eddie" a couple of times. Well, we've known each other a long time and he used to be "Eddie".

Ed and Nancy also mentioned how grateful they are to the local ambulance service. They have always been good to come and help whenever they were needed. A really nice perk for our little community.

We also said goodby to Betty Earlene Walls this week and to Don "Pawpaw" Wagster. We wish them all peace.

You might have noticed a few people from Newwave Communications have been in town. It was practically an invasion. There were a bunch of them here for a couple of days. An exasperated call from Amy Jenkins brought them flocking in originally, and then a few more of us dropped in to give our opinions about service. I do believe they are now committed to improving the service to Rector. They at least made an immediate and dramatic push to correct problems that were called to their attention.

I had issues with both the television reception and internet service and they spent a lot of time correcting those things which also took them further up and down 3rd street, where they fixed some more problems. Ed Gargas, General Manager and Larry Eby, Senior Vice President of Operations were two members of the team that were listening and I mean really listening to our concerns.

They found several more problem areas around town over the next two days which have since been corrected. Mr. Gargas asks that you contact him if you have problems that are not being addressed. His number is: 573 614-4573 ext. 3009. I am a happy customer now and if you are not, give them another chance to make things right.

Guess who had a birthday last week. Besides April Lindsey. Baby Elizabeth Fennell turned a year old. Happy Birthday! That also marks an anniversary for Mama Jane. We all think of you often, Jane and Elizabeth. Jane, keep getting better.

Paul and Cheryl Schwager spent a few days last week in Ohio visiting Paul's brother Louie Schwager and his wife Belle. They both seem to be doing well. Now Paul is back and out working in his yard. Doesn't it look nice?

Speaking of yard work, my new neighbor, Candy Hill has been keeping the tree trimmers busy this week. They have greatly reduced the number of trees in her yard. Drive by and take a look at the new landscape.

Another of Rector's young men has joined the military. Brantley Terry joined the Army and left for Ft. Jackson, SC on the 12th. As his career path, he has chosen the field of Intelligence Analyst. Sounds pretty impressive, doesn't it? Good Luck, Brantley and God bless you. Learn all you can about analyzing intelligence. I sometimes doubt there is enough to go around.

You probably remember that his big brother, BK Farley, is in the Marines and currently stationed at 29 Palms, CA. We are gonna have to plan for some big time de-stressors for Mom, Barbie Terry.

Lane Wozniak has been on the road again. This time to Birmingham, AL, where she did some training for a client. She drove down and says the drive was beautiful. She's home now. Maybe she will hang out here for a little while.

You might have noticed a snazzy red Corvette parked in my driveway this past weekend. I had a visit from an old friend, Jack Summey from Sevierville, TN. He and his German shepherd named Snow Flake, because she is snow flake white, spent the weekend with Paula and me.

Jack is a rather tall man to begin with and not exactly tiny in any respect. Watching him fold up and stuff himself into and then out of that Corvett was worth watching, I'll tell you. It is not something done quickly.

April Lindsey also asked me to mention our super pre-school. She has had her youngest, Cash, enrolled since birth and says it is outstanding. It is a good time to say thank you to Jamie Simmons and her staff. The pre-school is just another of the things we have to be grateful for.

I noticed the street crew has repainted the white lines and parking slots down town. That looks nice. Also, I have been meaning to mention that I am glad to see the falling down building by the drug store has been closed in. It looks much nicer now. Sort of makes me think of being in New York City. There are always construction areas there which are closed off in much the same manner. They aren't painted, however. Ours is much prettier.

Don't forget to purchase your ticket for a chance on the quilt the Woman's Club is raffling off on Labor Day. You can get those tickets at Harps Friday and Saturday and they will be on sale on the picnic grounds on Monday. The quilt is a beauty. The winner could be you, if you get a ticket.

Well, go get ready for Labor Day. I know I have a few things to do and I am sure you do too.

Let me hear from you if you entertain over the weekend. Let me hear from you anyway. There is always something worth sharing.

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. Bye now!

See you at the Picnic!!!