Out and About – Week of January 3rd

“We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.” ~ Dr. Henry Link

Welcome to 2022. We are starting our third year of Covid-19, with no end in sight. I have visions of wearing a mask out in public for the rest of my life. We are right now at another peak of Covid cases and the hits just keep on coming. No one wants to shut things down and issue mandates because this would definitely upset some people. There are those who refuse to follow advice, because “No one is going to tell me what to do.” The ones who have changed their minds on keeping social distancing, wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and tested are the ones who have been personally affected by the pandemic. “I just spent two months on a ventilator. It was not fun. Why didn’t I follow medical advice?”. I’ve heard this more than once. “I don’t think they have done enough research.” I’ve heard this said by someone who is “wolfing down” their second hot dog. I’ll now put away my soapbox.

So far, I’ve enjoyed this winter. The days are getting longer, minute by minute. We’ve had some snow, but this is Michigan. If you live in St. Joe County and want to do any type of skiing, all you need to do is travel north for a couple of hours.

Congratulations and thank you to the new owners of the roller skating rink on North Main Street in Three Rivers. We’ve needed this for quite sometime. We spent many a Saturday night at Maple Park Recreation back in the day. Mom and Pop Goodrich made everyone feel welcome. They even had a chimp named Sammy who would add to the fun of roller skating around the oval rink. Sammy is buried somewhere on the property. Go carts were a big fad back then, and Maple Park had a dirt track on the west side of their property. Check this paper for more information on the grand reopening.

Here are a few reminders for those getting used to winter driving in St. Joe County:

It’s a good idea to keep your fuel tank at least half-full during the winter months.
Keep a blanket or two in the car along with a pair of good gloves or mittens.
While driving in snowy conditions, keep your headlights on. You might be able to see well enough, but other vehicles might not be able to see you.
Before starting out, make sure your windows are clear of snow. The same could be said of all your lights, both front and back.
If driving on icy roads, tap your brakes when stopping to avoid skidding and losing control.
Keep extra distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. If you rear-end a vehicle, it’s your fault.
Allow extra time getting to your destination. It’s better to get there late than not at all.
Have patience for other drivers. They probably are not as good as you when it comes to driving in bad weather.
“Travelers! All you need is a razor and BURMA SHAVE”

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman