Let’s talk about some good things
March 4th, 2008, 12:50 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Kent Kilpatrick
I thought I would take the opportunity of my blog to talk a bit about some of the good things going on in our community lately.
Yesterday was the annual Kiwanis Pancake and Sausage day event in Jacksonville. I remember way back in the early ’90s when I lived in Greenville, Miss., as a Kiwanian participating in the Pancake Breakfast, as we called it there. It was a heck of a lot of work, but it was also a ton of fun. I remember when I got, after a couple of years cleaning tables (that is what all the new members did in my club, kind of an initiation of sorts I guess), I got kicked up to the griddle and got to cook the pancakes. It sure felt like such an honor to be “cooking” for everyone and not just cleaning up their garbage.
Ted Roth, the editor here at the JJ-C, spent all day yesterday flipping flapjacks at the annual event. When he came in today, he looked pretty worn out. He had been sick the end of last week (note here: he was completely over his sickness yesterday so don’t anyone worry that he was breathing on your pancakes), so I first thought he might have some lingering effects from his illness. He was quick to reply no, he was fine, but his arm was killing him from flipping hotcakes all day, and most of the evening, it seemed.
Plus his nose was semi-stained with the smell of pancakes and sausage and that was all he could smell. (From my memory, it takes at least a week for the smells to leave your nose and longer for the clothes you wore that day. Might be worth retiring that T-shirt and blue jeans, Ted).
But I can tell you, when you can be part of something like this that does so much good for the community and the organization, it makes all of the little things, like sore arms and stained clothes, worth it. Ted said that Pancake and Sausage Day had over 5,000 plates served, which is a huge testament to the community spirit of Jacksonville and our surrounding towns and how willing we all are to support our organizations and the good things they do. Although I am now a Rotarian, I am very proud of the Kiwanis and what they are able to do with the funds they raise from the event. My hat is off to all of you!
BUSINESS EXPO
We had another event happen last week, and that was the annual Business Expo put on by the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce. Ginny Fanning and her staff at the Chamber put on a wonderful event at Hamilton’s that had a ballroom filled with booths of local businesses from all over our community. All had a wonderful story to tell about their businesses and were very excited to be able to showcase them to the public. I really wish that everyone would take the time to come next year. You can walk out with an armload of goodies and also learn about what Jacksonville businesses have to offer. You will be surprised to find out all the opportunities available right here at home.
BOSS OF THE YEAR
One final thought is one of congratulations to Ernie Downey of Colton, Downey and Associates. Ernie was selected “Boss of the Year” by the Chamber panel that gives out the annual award. Ernie and his wife Helen have been pillars in the community involvement arena and there is not much that they would not do or donate time to help make Jacksonville and Morgan County a great place to live. In my short time here in Jacksonville, I’ve come to respect the Downeys very much. Ernie is very deserving and my hat is off to you on your much deserved award.
Feel free to drop a comment about other good things you see going on in Jacksonville and our surrounding communities. I’d love to hear about them and I know all that read this would, too.
