The new Harding High School and River Valley Schools have certainly added a new look to the area. With the completion of the paving in front of Harding High School we are left with a very attractive wide section of street allowing easy access to the new school.
River Valley completed their new road-widening program earlier with the same results. The new turn lanes for both schools will provide a much safer passage of vehicles in and out of the schools.
Route 95 east is handling more and more traffic as time goes by. Still remaining is the dangerous intersection of Routes 95 and 98. There have been and will continue to be accidents at that intersection. I am sure that ODOT is very much aware of the problems that exist and will eventually try to improve the situation.
Fall is fast approaching. Already the signs of the coming season are everywhere. As the late Bill Hutchman explained on his Lawn and Garden programs years ago, the season's progress just as human life is born, matures and eventually dies. We have the spring season bringing the birth of a new growing season. In summer the aging process is beginning similar to our teenage years. Fall is the maturing time of year just as we age and eventually reach the peak of life. Winter is the end of life for annuals just as it is for most of human life. Too bad we are not perennial plants and have a chance to spring back to life. Humans get only that one chance to grow and mature.
The festival season is still happening around the state. You will have to check Internet calendars or the Ohio Magazine for updates on what is happening around your area. We have enjoyed another Popcorn Festival and all of its side events. The Popcorn 100 Bike Tour is the event I am the most familiar. I have participated or worked on it since its beginning. This year, nearly 400 riders from all over Ohio enjoyed the tour in the best weather possible.
On September 20th the Crawford County Park District will hold its Heritage Day at Unger Park. This location is on the west side of the well-known Aumiller Park in Bucyrus. I have been invited to be there demonstrating early American life. The hours will be 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Many other interesting exhibits and demonstrations will be in place that day.
I will make my last journey of the year to Caldwell, Ohio September 27th and 28th to participate in the Soakum Festival. This tiny town in Noble County is just north of Marietta on Interstate 76. The festival is held in Heritage Park on the Noble County Fairgrounds. Numerous exhibits will portray life as it was years ago in this part of Ohio. A circuit-riding preacher will arrive Sunday morning on horseback to preach in the chapel on the grounds. This event alone draws large standing room only crowds to the church. The preacher's own congregation arrives in a covered wagon.
The Sheriff of Noble County demonstrates how a moonshine still operates. He actually brews the stuff on a hillside in the park. There is always plenty of home-prepared food and continuous bluegrass music throughout both days. Lectures on early American history will be held in the one-room school house. I will be working next to a broom maker and a well-witcher. Entrance to the festival is less than five dollars so it is a bargain for families.
Have a nice season and be sure to enjoy life.
