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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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LEARNING FROM THE FAIR
The San Juan County Fair is amazing. Visitors to the island are impressed with the old fashioned charm of the fair. They appreciate that it is still family oriented and volunteer run. Our fair continues to focus on agriculture, arts and crafts, and education. Throw in a few food booths and some entertainment and you get the biggest social event of the year. Most island residents purchase a season pass for the fair and attend all four days of its run just because it's fun. We not only enjoy attending the fair and socializing, but we also discover the hidden talents of many islanders. Judges from the mainland routinely comment on the level of talent demonstrated by our fair entries. And even when talent may be questionable, creativity shines through. Where else would a purse woven out of duct tape, a cake resembling a kitty litter box, and a jar of pickled rocks all receive blue ribbons? And what other fair can boast as large a crowd for a fashion show of clothing made from recycled materials as for musical headliners? Even young children become clever and creative at the fair. I ran into two friends and their unusually somber son. He was not having much fun because his father had a weak stomach and his mother was anxious. Therefore, he had to ride the carnival rides alone. While we three adults chatted, my friends' son disappeared into the crowd for a bit and then returned with another boy his age in tow. Both of them were smiling from ear to ear as they enthusiastically ran toward us. Then the formerly sullen child shouted, "Mom, Dad, he doesn't barf or scream! May we have some more money for the rides?" If we applied the same level of creativity, enthusiasm, skill, and volunteerism demonstrated at the fair to the problems and challenges we face all year long, I suspect our world would change dramatically.
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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