Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family!
Here’s a wonderful and think, timely story . . . It is still Fall, isn’t it? The part about the granddaughters is dad in all his mischievous glory. He loved a good, subtle joke. Dad used to tell people he taught his dog to eat with a spoon then he’d leave a spoon in the bowl while the dog ate.
Dad and mom really did love to drive around in the middle of nowhere to find that little slice of heaven that people have carved out of the Michigan farm and woodlands. As a kid, this was excruciatingly boring but, for mom and dad, when they did come upon that little jewel, it was like finding a pot of gold. And yes, I, and probably all my brothers, inherited the same wanderlust.
I hope you enjoy this story and have peaceful and joyful holidays.
Love to all,
David T
“Autumn Festivals Abound”
By Don Tschirhart
Excerpted from the unpublished book “It’s a Wonderful World II: A Retired Reporter Looks At Life“
Autumn Festivals Abound
It isn’t difficult to know when autumn begins. It seems communities and churches schedule this time for their festivals.
Small town and church festivals are one of the most cherished expressions of Americana.
Nothing to do on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon? Why not drive to the nearest festival, greet your neighbors and enjoy a little apple cider, donuts or a good country-style meal.
It’s a great place to watch people as they focus on their hobbies, businesses or, at this time of the year, politics. These are people who live for their families, God and country.
Festivals are usually listed in your local newspaper or church bulletins.
You can also do what I did a few weeks ago, accidentally driving west on Dryden road until I was stopped by police and detoured around the village of Dryden. I stopped and watched a small parade featuring the high school band, a few veterans and floats sponsored by local churches and politicians.
A half block was cordoned off in all four directions. Tables lined the streets offering fragrant soaps and perfumes, costume jewelry and crafts and bratwurst on a bun. In front of the library children gleefully slid down two large balloon slides much to the laughter of moms and dads.
It was good to see old friends. Ron Hebert, displayed his small carvings of people and animals. His carvings are a real work of art besides being his retirement hobby.
The most fun, though, was having lunch in the newly renovated Dryden fire hall. These guys who put on rubber coats, boots and funny-looking hats to save lives and property were dishing up barbecue pork sandwiches, the best I’ve ever had. Great company too. Sitting across from my wife, Margie, and me were Dryden Township Supervisor Tina Papineau and Treasurer Joyce Korson and their friends and families.
I bought an Apple Crunch pie from a friend whose son is recovering from injuries suffered in a truck accident. Family and friends must have spent days making the hundred-odd cakes, pies and cookie assortments.
The St. Nicholas Church Festival in Capac this fall was fun. It also had tables laden with crafts, costume jewelry, pies, cakes and scented soaps and perfumes.
Women of the parish had prepared a delicious chicken dinner that we ate under a tent with friends.
Another was the summer-time city fair in Columbiaville. It came at a time when some dissidents in nearby Otter Lake wanted to un-incorporate the village and opponents of the proposal were out in force to persuade area residents to vote against it. The proposal lost big time.
Youthful rock bands put on performances only their mothers could love, but it made the fair lively as we wandered from booth to booth enjoying the hand shakes and greeting of strangers.
The only thing I bought was some belly button cleaners made from colorful pipe cleaners.
My older granddaughters wear hip-hugger jeans and short tops. When I presented the cleaners to them their faces turned red and they exclaimed in unison, “Oh! Grampa. We didn’t think you noticed.”
I don’t mean to overlook the annual Blueberry Festival in Imlay City and Lapeer Days. These two fairs are larger than most others and draw larger crowds.
As I have said in a past columns this county of ours is really quite small and the people are farm friendly.
Margie and I have lived in Lapeer County 12 years and it surprises me how many people we have come to know and can greet as we walk around at these major fairs.
We are looking forward to another festival that we both have enjoyed and worked with for many years — the St. Cornelius Fall Bazaar and Roast Beef Dinner in Dryden.
If you attend, you can meet my pretty wife, Margie, who is always busy with one thing or another.
Even though I consider myself a master chef in my own kitchen, the only thing the Roast Beef Dinner crew will allow me to do is wash and/or dry dishes.
I know this is a free ad, boss, but my unsolicited editorial is that the all-you-can-eat, family style dinner with tender beef, mashed potatoes, veggies and dessert is really delicious and well worth the adult price of $9.
All-in-all, if you want to really enjoy life in Lapeer County, pick a fair or festival, any of them and just wander and see the happy faces.
It’ll give you a renewed lease on life.
