Just when you thought it was safe to return to?

Yep. Headlines are easier to write when you use clichés like this one. But I like it when you, the reader, can fill in the blanks. You could say, the water, a restaurant, the store, church, or any of a dozen other words. You get to choose!

Hey, the Indians are on a six-game win streak as I write this column on Friday, Aug. 21. Take that Twins! We are already about halfway through the crazy season of 2020 and the Dodgers look like the team to beat. The Cubbies aren’t too shabby with 16 wins either and are taking the National League central by storm. Tampa Bay is rolling too, rattling off nine wins out of their last 10 contests.

The Blue Jackets gave it a great ride this season, giving Tampa Bay all they wanted in the playoffs, especially in game one, which went into five overtimes and the Blue Jackets on the short end of a 3 to 2 score.

The city of Coshocton crews that worked on the water break on Third and Main streets deserve some recognition and credit for a job well done in repairing the break that happened on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to all of you!

Things are happening all over Coshocton County with people starting businesses, making repairs and improvements. There are positive things happening all around. One of those is right here at The Beacon! Starting with next week’s issue, (Sept. 3) The Beacon is moving our day of delivery to Thursday in order to accommodate a vastly improved quality of printing. We are confident that you will enjoy the vibrant colors and quality of the paper.

The Coshocton County Fair Board has made many difficult decisions this year and all of the members deserve our thanks for striving to put on a fair that, while it will not look the same as fairs of the past, will still allow our youth to display their livestock project and be judged. No, it’s not going to be to everyone’s satisfaction, but what is this year? I think the fact that we are having a fair at all is a testament to the fortitude and dedication these men and women have to this community and especially to our youth. It will be a lot of hard work for the fair board members to hold a fair at all this year. Their efforts and service to our community deserve our gratitude.

Many of the fair board members came up through the junior fair so they know the sacrifices and effort that go into raising and caring for a livestock project. The decision to hold the junior fair in a new format, and in particular, not have the showmanship classes, was an agonizing and carefully thought out and discussed decision by the board. The safety of our youth, their families and the community were paramount to this decision.

All of us need to be careful during this time and think before we make that social media post or comment. Most people seem to be short on patience right now. The lesson learned during this global pandemic would seem to be that we are not in control. We’re not used to that are we?

Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion