WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
My father once said, “I’ll never pay more than thirty cents a gallon for gasoline.” Of course, that was many years ago and I often wonder how he would react to today’s prices at the pump. He’d also look high and low to try and find a ten-cent cup of coffee.
Gasoline prices are soaring again. It seems they jump twenty or thirty cents a gallon overnight and then they drop one or two cents a gallon over the next week or two. I remember getting upset when the price of gas reached $3 dollars a gallon. I’d sure like to see that price again, but I doubt it will happen soon, if ever. Since Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February, prices have risen about eighty cents per gallon. Here are four reasons gas prices have risen:
Crude oil prices. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a direct impact on the price of crude oil. That problem probably won’t end anytime soon, so prices will probably continue to rise.
Weather extremes. Hurricane season has just begun and it only takes one storm on the Gulf Coast for gas prices to skyrocket. There are 19 storms predicted for this season and nine of them are expected to be hurricanes.
Switching from winter to summer blends. Summer blends have lower vapor pressure, which prevents the evaporation of gas in the summer sun. Summer blend also costs more.
Summer travel. People throughout the nation are still planning to travel now that the COVID pandemic is not such a threat. Therefore, the demand for gasoline is expected to increase, which will drive the prices up. It only takes a day or two for us to get used to the price increases.
There are several things we can do to increase our gas mileage. We can maintain proper tire pressure, avoid jackrabbit starts, and slow down on speeding. Every five miles per hour over 5 mph, adds about 25 cents per gallon. Research has shown that your engine works harder to overcome increased wind resistance at higher speeds.
Next Tuesday, June 14, is Flag Day, a day we pay honor to Old Glory. We should honor our flag everyday, but Flag Day is special. This Flag Day, the public is invited to the American Legion Pavilion for the annual Flag Day ceremony. The Legion Honor Guard will be joined by members of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1248. The joint ceremony will begin at 5:30PM. This annual gathering promises to be a very informative and memorable experience. The Legion is located at 59990 South Main Street, Three Rivers.
The Scidmore Park Petting Zoo and the City of Three Rivers cordially invites everyone to the “2022 Summer Programs in the Park”. There are FREE educational programs held in the pavilion outside the zoo gates Saturdays during the months of June, July and August, from 1 to 2 PM. Scidmore Park is located at 112 Spring Street, just across the street from Three Rivers Fire Station #2.
Here are the Summer Programs for the rest of June:
June 11: “Wildlife Wonders”. The Sarett Nature Center will bring a variety of animal friends with them and will discuss animal adaptations and classifications.
June 18: This Water Festival time, so the Petting Zoo will be open during Kids Zone.
June 25: Friends from the Huss Project will inform us about what the Huss Project brings to the Three Rivers community, plus information about the Farmers Market and community garden.
Next time I’ll let you know about the programs for July and August.
“Week-old beard so masked his face, his bull dog chased him off the place.” BURMA SHAVE
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
