New school year and other stuff
School started for Peabody and Burns youngsters last Wednesday. I went to the grade school around 8 a.m. to take some pictures. The yellow buses pulled up and kids spilled onto the sidewalk headed for a new grade, a new teacher, and new experiences. There is nothing like the first day of school. Even after your own children are grown and gone, you remember their feelings of excitement and anticipation. A new year, a fresh start! Good luck, youngsters.
And while we are on the topic, we all need to be aware that kids are on foot, scooters, skateboards, and bikes on their way to school. We should assume they are probably not watching out for us the way they ought to, so we need to watch out for them. Slow down and pay attention. Give yourself an extra few minutes to get where you are going.
I must have struck a nerve with a recent editorial I wrote about saving the planet for future generations. I have had tons of comments about it. Well, I am glad I am not the only one who thinks that the future generations should be a little more responsible about leaving their trash behind. And, yes, I know that adults also take the easy way out and fling cans, wrappers, and cigarette butts from their car windows. We all could be more conscientious about leaving garbage behind. I just resent the implication that I MUST do more for those who will inherit this planet when they appear to me to be the worst offenders.
Some months ago I wrote about Lori Pickens and her young sons picking up trash along Peabody Street. Someone had left a mountain of newspapers and garbage in the west hedgerow. It was awful! She and her boys were out on a blustery March day during spring break with trash bags, cleaning up the mess left by someone else. I expect that that wasn't their first or last excursion into cleaning up their neighborhood! People like that give me hope. Lori is the age of one of my daughters, the next generation. Her sons are the following generation. They obviously care about what they will inherit. What about the rest of you?
And finally, thanks to the folks at Heckendorn for getting our community bulletin board — the sign in the middle of the 2nd and Walnut intersection — all gussied up. It looks ever so much better! Many years ago that thing used to make me cringe because it was so hokey. I guess it still is, but I've looked at it for so many decades that it has taken on a certain shabby charm. It is serviceable and sturdy and it gets the job done.
— SUSAN MARSHALL
