WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
I can safely say that we are all a little guilty of pre-judging people. I know that I have done it many times. First impressions can be beneficial, but they can also be detrimental. How many times have we been swayed by some well-dressed individual, who turns out to be a snake oil salesperson? How many times have we ignored someone shabbily dressed, only to discover that he was the most honest and hardworking person we’d ever want to meet?
I was once volunteering at a local merchant. My purpose was to seek donations for a worthwhile cause. A young man entered the parking lot with his radio blasting and bass turned up to the max. I immediately didn’t like the person. Yet, when he passed by to enter the store, he donated several dollars in change. He then apologized for not giving more. I should have apologized to him for pre-judging. Who was the better person?
Doe Zantamata once said, “It’s easy to judge. It’s more difficult to understand. Understanding requires compassion, patience, and a willingness to believe that good hearts sometimes choose poor methods. Through judging, we separate. Through understanding, we grow.”
Perhaps if we all slowed just a little and gave each other a chance, we wouldn’t have so many problems, and if we did have problems, we could work through them together. What a concept.
A week from Thursday is the first day of Water Festival. Weather permitting, the annual Water Festival Parade will step off at 7 PM that evening. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the parade will take place Friday evening, June 19, at 7 PM. The parade is one of the finest in the state. I don’t understand why Channel 3 from Kalamazoo doesn’t make an appearance and show the highlights on the eleven o’clock news. If you watch the evening news on Channel 3, you’ll have to agree that they definitely know where Three Rivers is located. I think it would be great to come on down and do some positive reporting. Just my opinion.
The annual parade usually has around eighty entries, and it takes about ninety minutes to view the entire event. If you’re a parent, please enjoy the parade; at the same time, keep a watchful eye on your children. The kids get very excited and always scramble to pick up the candy distributed by the parade entries. Having your children hurt because they wandered too close to a float or truck can really put a damper on everyone’s excitement. The best thing to do is make sure the children stay on the curb. I’m sure they’ll get their share of the goodies.
I’m always interested in things that are FREE, and I try my best to pass this information on to everyone I can. I don’t own any waterfront property, but, because of the many lakes and rivers here in St. Joe County, there are plenty of families who live near the water.
On Saturday, June 27, from 9 AM until 12:30 PM, the Fabius Township Hall will serve as the venue for a Shoreline Landscape Workshop. The workshop will provide property owners with a broad understanding of healthy lakeshore ecosystems and why natural shorelines are important. If this sounds like something you’d like to learn more about, register by contacting Dennis Bradley at 269-244-5742. You may e-mail Dennis at bradpad@comcast.net or go to fabiustownship.org/shoreline workshop. Again, this event is FREE thanks to the following sponsors: Fabius Township, Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, the Kalamazoo Nature Center, and Barnes Law Office, P.C.
I’ve been trying very hard to stay in shape but have concluded that if God had wanted me to touch my toes, He would’ve put them on my knees.
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
