Circus

The Circus
On the wall in my office there is a handmade thank you card which says "Not my circus, not my monkeys".  I usually smile every time I spot it but throughout the months of April and May 2017, in the midst of planning for the arrival of the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, that card sent me into hysterical laughter. In this case, it felt like it WAS my circus and all the chaos surrounding the planning was all mine to handle.
It started with raising my hand at a simple Chamber of Commerce meeting.  They said "Does anyone want to call the circus people back?"  Culpepper & Merriweather had offered to come to our town and put on a show.  Someone had to be the contact person, and while everyone thought it would be great fun, no one raised their hand.  Of course I thought "Just a simple phone call, no problem.", and up went my hand.
Lets start with this:  It wasn't one simple phone call.  Not only that, I had a family obligation which takes me out of town during the last week of May.  Circus planning took over my life...
Thank goodness for all the locals who supported me.....Shout outs to:
Most of all Billie Smith who took charge during my absence.
Mrs. Wheeler and Mr. Ott who let the Circus use their land
The Chamber members who accosted their friends and neighbors to pre-sell tickets
Mills Diner, Rochester Lumber, Dream Weavers, who made tickets available at their business
Debbie Owens who stepped up both selling tickets along with full support on circus day
The American Legion who organized parking
The Madd Hatter (Tina McCray) who set the tone with her costuming and welcomed folks as they arrived
The 1377 individuals who showed up to cheer on the acrobats and entertainers
And all of the names I can't find at the moment who stepped up to help are so appreciated!
So the circus....
Show day arrived with no rain!  

I just want to introduce a lady that I think shakes things up in the world. Not the entire world but her own little corner. She is able to juggle a full time real estate career along with way too many community endeavors. She runs the Gate City Community Club a really charming 100+ year old one room school house that you should check out if you get a chance. She was able to save that entire piece of Rochester history from being sold to a private owner. Now you can go see and even become a part of the old schoolhouse. Each year there is a homesteading event held. Taking us all back to the good old days teaching people many skills including canning, bee keeping, soaps, cheese, and the list goes on and on.  She also volunteers her time for the rental management for Swede Hall in downtown Rochester an old grange hall in downtown Rochester. The largest building to hold events here in the Rochester area. Her interest in history and preserving it has excited and gathered many people along side her. One day she hope to build a replica of Fort Heness where it originally stood. I suggested she start this blog to share her knowledge of the area both history and present times. I think it would help to pull us all together and get information about whats going on in our area.

February 13, 2017

This week the sun came out in our little town. Spring just might be on it's way. Along with it some lovely crocus' have popped up in my garden.