Editor:
I hadn’t been to a Sportsman’s Holiday for many years, but this year I was here.
I enjoyed the day, but couldn’t help comparing it to days of yore (30-40 years ago). I was glad to see the Squarenaders still flouncing around. And the high school dance team. Some of the floats were great.
I loved the dragon. But no string of pet pack goats? Or llamas?
A few horses are necessary for any parade, and we had some, but where were all the other 4-H’ers? The Shriners in their little buzzy cars were most welcome – it really wouldn’t be complete without them.
But what’s a parade without a band? Even if they can’t march, it would be fun to hear it from a flat trailer. Couldn’t the VFW field some of their famous banjos? No dressed-up dogs? No little kids on trikes with decorated wheels?
The Loggers Olympics is fun to watch… slicing the logs, the pole climbing, choker setting relays, etc. It’s good to see Bob Waibel still tossing an axe at the target, and now the ladies too. But no two-man crosscutters beating the chainsaws? Nobody chopped a short log block in two?
I remember the year Bob W. encountered a big hidden knot, and he didn’t win that time.
No challenge for log truck drivers on a curvy course? One year, after all the contestants had tried, and complained it wasn’t laid out right, that it couldn’t be done, then the guy who laid it out drove it – perfectly! Proving it could be done, and the rest of those macho (very good) drivers still had room to improve.
The little tractor pull was a new event, so imagination is not yet totally dead.
We used to use Foster Lake for power boat races, but I understand the cost of insurance dealt a death blow that. But how about the triathlon (run/swim/bike around the lake), or the raft races down to Pleasant Valley bridge? Anything that would float was acceptable – inner tubes or whatever. A challenge for youth: save up plastic milk jugs all year, and build a raft – or a Viking ship – to float down the river. Prizes for fastest, and most original. If insurance prevents riding them, build small models and monitor them downriver with a boat. Other things can be used on the lake: water skis, kite skis, sailboats – how fast can you row a kayak?
The craft show is fine; there used to be a flower show, with beautiful dahlias, roses, glads, or whatever was blooming.
And thanks, firemen, for the fireworks show, a great annual finale.
I’m no organizer, nor do I have imagination to create all these fun things. I just have a memory of past fun. Some people like to keep busy … well, here’s a chance to pick one item that tickles your fancy and provide a bit of variety to your agenda.
For couch potatoes, make yourself feel good once a year – get up and participate! Either be a contestant, or if you’re the bossy type, organize some event. Lots of volunteers = lots of events. (I already volunteer for other kinds of things.)
Are some people missing out on the fun experience of doing something with other people? Quit texting, lift your eyes and really see what’s going on around you! Life can be interesting apart from an iPhone!
Sweet Home has lost a lot in the last 40 years, stores like Mode O’Day for ladies, Don’s Duds for the guys, White’s Jewelers, Epps Furniture, Franny’s Furniture, Sprouse Reitz variety and lots more – while the population has doubled. One of the advantages of a small town is knowing people, but you have to get out and meet them! I don’t know what has happened to all the volunteerism we used to have. The younger generation has lost the vision. And the fun.
Yes, we have the Jamboree for outsiders, and a lot of people are involved in that. But our Sportsman’s Holiday is for us Sweet Hometowners. We need both.
While it’s fresh in our minds, start thinking what you could add to the chaos for next year.
Joan Scofield
Sweet Home