Busy Spring

Whew, what a busy weekend! Anybody who says there is nothing to do in Monticello and Jasper County must be living under a rock….or be real particular about what they think is something to do.

The newspaper staff is often spread thin because of meetings and events we try to cover, but many of the activities that go on locally are not something we attempt to cover…we count on those involved to bring us reports and photos.

But, this weekend there were several of those events that involve enough people we really feel like we should cover them.

First is high school sports….they never stop. And, having had two cameras stolen and losing a part-time photographer, we do not do a good job of covering those….anybody out there want to help?

I was so excited when I learned Jasper County is getting into the 21st century and starting a soccer program. But, I haven’t managed to make it to a game yet.

But, I digress. Anyone with school-age children knows how busy they stay. What with studies, extra-curricular activities through the schools, Scouts, church, recreation sports, and individual hobbies, and who knows what all, families are busy.

But last weekend, besides the usual plethora of activities, there was the annual Monticello Kiwanis Club art and talent show.

Rehearsal was Thursday evening, and lasted long, I hear, and then the real thing was Friday night. I had a reporter/photographer there, but either the temperamental camera or the sweet photographer messed up. Our pictures are not very good.

Luckily, Jasper County’s honorary citizen, Benny Hawthorne, was on the spot, and we have some photos.

Then, on Saturday, there was opening day of youth ball and the 4-H horse show which includes traditional competitive activities plus some that are more on the fun side, like pants on the goat.

Unfortunately, neither was publicized well in advance, and having no one currently on staff that has school age children, we almost missed opening day altogether, and could not round up anyone to cover the horse show.

Luckily, Benny came through again. And, Lucy Ray is writing up a report on the day.

That’s just how we have to do most things, even those we feel are worthy of coverage. So, if you think the newspaper should be at your event, and it’s not, just consider what other events are also happening.

Of course, I realize everyone thinks their event is the most important. And, while people were on their way to the horse show or opening day or baby showers or whatever, they had a chance to stop on the Square and support the local Presbyterians while treating themselves to delicious fresh baked goods and a book to enjoy when there’s time to read.

And, friends and associates of Deputy Carlos Rhodes were busy cooking and serving spaghetti dinners as a fund raiser for that fine man who was injured in the line of duty a couple weeks ago.

And, the Democratic party also met last Saturday, and with election time looming, that certainly interested many people.

Last Saturday also happened to be the day that my niece in north Atlanta chose to give a baby shower for her sister-in-law. It will be my oldest sister’s first grandchild, and would have been my dad’s third great-grandchild. He found out that his oldest grandson’s wife was expecting just before he died.

And, on top of that, my brother-in-law of nearly 40 years was surprised with a 60th birthday party Saturday. So, I was out of town. I left about 10 a.m. for the shower, and had I tried to come home between the shower and birthday party there would have been just enough time to get here and turn around and go back. So, I was useless as far as covering any news Saturday.

But I wasn’t bored. And no one hereabouts has any reason to be, the best I can tell. There are offerings out there every week for all types of interests.

And the busy-ness of the spring can be attested to by a glance at the Community Calendar in the paper. There were more than 35 items on there last week, and at least one that should have been on there—the Presbyterian bake and book sale—was left off. I apologize.

So, as much as I strive for The Monticello News to be the voice of the community, it has a small staff, and just can’t be everywhere. So please understand, if we don’t make your event, it’s not because we aren’t interested. Just like you, we have to make choices because no one person can be two (or more) places at once. And, we can’t publicize events that we are not aware of.

Please send us your news, your pictures, information on your special events. Many of you report your own news on Facebook…if you want to share it with the whole community, maybe you should send it to us, too.

The News has an obligation to cover and report on meetings of our public officials, so citizens can see how their tax dollars are spent and what decisions are being made that affect your quality of life. Those “events” affect everyone…and they are not really very well attended compared to a number of activities in the community.

We like to do more than that, but sometimes it’s just not possible.