Some community projects of note
At the risk of sounding like a broken record I am going to urge you all once again to send a donation to the Fourth Celebration Society. I know I said all this before the Fourth, but I think it would be most generous of us if we would each write an additional check to help cover the gate revenue that didn't materialize because of the rain.
I don't think the group is in danger of being unable to put together a bona fide extravaganza for the next celebration, but wouldn't it be nice if they had as healthy a bank account as they'd have had with clear skies and a mega-crowd? So dig a little deeper and make just one more donation before it is 2008 and we have to start this discussion all over again.
Have you noticed that a number of downtown buildings have received new second story window treatments? This effort is compliments of the Peabody Main Street design committee under the direction of chairman Leslie LaFoy. The windows do look nice. And for some of the buildings it is about time.
I can say that because I am the slug who kept putting off crawling up into the top of Don's Drugs and taking down the torn and disgusting window shades that were hanging there. None of the other windows looked worse than they did. I should be severely chastised. You have my permission — knock yourselves out!
I have noticed the volunteer petunias have returned in an abbreviated number on the east side of Walnut Street around the American Legion, the senior center, and Cameo Rose Antiques. You may remember that they popped up in abundance last summer. I expect this year many fell victim to the freaky weather we have had for months. The unusually late snows and freezing temperatures likely took their toll. It is nice to see them back again. Maybe with a little luck they will prove to be "asphalt-resistant." Perhaps they will overcome the asphalt fill the city plopped into those benign little diamond-shaped areas in the sidewalks that were formerly suitable for plantings. They are tenacious plants. I think I will put my money on them!
And speaking of plants
This is another nice project for our historic downtown. Many plants, which come up year after year in our yards, were planted at about the same time the town was founded. Iris, surprise lilies, peonies, herbs, daisies, black-eyed Susans, hollyhocks, poppies, and others have been providing local homeowners with pleasure since this prairie town was settled. If you have them, this would be an excellent time to share them.
You could be a part of history. What a fine thing to do!
— SUSAN MARSHALL
