Mark’s Musings – August 8, 2018
Mark Fortune
The smell of barbecued chicken hung in the air like a late August morning fog as folks from near and far enjoyed the fellowship, fun and food at the annual River View Community Park social held this past Sunday in Warsaw. A slow moving creek caused more than a little angst during the rubber duck race as the lead duck failed to bring it home allowing instead an “also-ran” to capture the money and the title.
A slight breeze wafted through the trees that provided some welcome shade unless you were one of the folks on the dunking stand or playing baseball in the Rollie Darr Memorial tournament where the only relief from the sun on a hot August Sunday was being in the dunking tank or in the dugout. It was hot.
The youngsters all put on a great show during the watermelon eating contest where a new category will probably need to be created for Cruz Mobley, the folks from the Walhonding Rube Band and Chestnut Ridge played favorites to much applause and the homemade ice cream was consumed by the spoonful.
These events – whether in Bakersville, Plainfield, Warsaw, Conesville, West Lafayette, Coshocton or Newcastle – are the events that make us a community. The people that work tirelessly to make them happen deserve our appreciation. Volunteer firefighters that get up before dawn to make sure the barbecued chicken halves are done just right – they were – or the folks that work the kitchen, making the pies, noodles, baked beans or any of the other food choices – they all deserve thanks and a job well done.
You mix in all the church ice cream socials held throughout Coshocton County and you throw in another round of delicious meals and a whole new batch – and in some cases – the same – folks that spend many hours preparing food, prepping or cleaning up. The menu is almost predictable – almost – and that’s part of the fun actually – how does this church prepare their chicken and noodles or their sloppy Jo sandwiches? What kind of pie is the “go to”?
Why some overachievers even bypass the chicken and serve up turkey – a sometimes hard to find commodity during a summer event. But delicious all the same and good for you!
And while the food is certainly a very enjoyable part of the event, the fellowship and conversing with friends and neighbors is at or near the top of the list. This was quite evident at Warsaw on Sunday.
But an even more meaningful celebration added to the atmosphere as several lifeguards, pool staff and first responders were recognized for saving a swimmer in distress in an event that occurred on July 26 at the Warsaw pool. A large crowd clapped and cheered for the young people and first responders as the Village of Warsaw Mayor Ron Davis read a proclamation thanking and recognizing their efforts that resulted in saving the life of a teenager on that day.
You need to know that your contributions to the United Way of Coshocton County and the Red Cross swimming program are put to good use. These young people gave credit to their training as lifeguards that gave them the knowledge they needed to save someone’s life. Thank you.
Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion
