Out and About – Week of July 22nd

If you love the sound of a Harley Davidson idling, or the sound of a Massey-Ferguson tractor starting, you’ll want to make plans to attend the upcoming St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association Annual Tractor Show. It all happens Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 2 – 4 at Boot Hill Ranch, 10542 Bair lake Street, just east of Jones, Michigan.

This annual event is filled with antique tractors, tractor parts, an assortment of antiques, and a Flea Market, plus much more. If you’re a vendor and would like to be a part of this family gathering, go to the event’s website at SJVOEA.org/show, or look for it on Facebook.

There will be primitive camping available for vendors and a commercial campground next door.

All of this is available for a $5 donation at the gate. Of course, food will be available on the grounds.

This Saturday, July 27, is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. Korean War veterans are slowly slipping away. If you should be lucky enough to meet one, please thank him or her for their service.

There are just two parades remaining in this summer season. Burr Oak will celebrate Heritage Days on the weekend of July 27. Their parade steps off at 11 AM. The parade celebrating Mendon’s River Fest is Saturday, August 17, with starting time high noon.

Just a word or two on proper protocol during a parade. Whenever the US Flag passes by during a parade, it’s proper to stand up and place your hand over your heart. Gentlemen, please remove your hat. I’ve witnessed too many not paying homage, should the SS Richmond passes by in a parade.

Also, please remember, it’s the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It’s the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It’s the Veteran, not the community organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It’s the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

St. Joseph County is fortunate to have quite a few festivals running from May through August. The last festival happens in downtown Three Rivers on Labor Day weekend. HarmonyFest is Sunday, September 1. The music usually starts around 1 PM and continues into late evening. It’s FREE.

Love and humor are sometimes difficult to find these days. Here are some ideas on how to decide whom to marry, written by children:

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. – Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all the way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with. – Kristen, age 10
Is it better to be single or married? It’s better for girls to be single, but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. – Anita, age 9
How would you make a marriage work? Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck. – Ricky, age 9.
S H A L O M

Submitted by Norm Stutesman