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Over the past several weeks there have been ramblings that Americans and Minnesotans should recall the president, recall the governor, ban older Americans from driving cars and not allow blind or non-English speaking youngsters to swim in lakes or rivers. Whenever there is a tragedy it never fails to amaze me as to how many experts suddenly appear with solutions to the problems after the tragedy.

This is nothing new. For centuries we have been second-guessing anyone remotely connected with the tragedy, looking to affix blame or reinvent the wheel.

As for the seniors driving habits and tests––it probably would make sense to retest them every five years or so. In fact, it would probably make sense if we were all tested every five years or so, judging by the way we drive––not stopping, right turns, failure to signal, tailgating and other infractions. I’m sure that most of us would have some serious problems passing the test unless we changed our ways. Five year testing probably won’t happen because it would cost too much and take too much time.

As for the swimmers––particularly the little blind girl––I have listened to both sides of the arguments about whether or not the blind campers need sighted counselors or not and I come down on the side of those who believe that they are better served by people with the same problems as they have. The director of the group that runs the camp is a very persuasive individual who vigorously defends the rights for the blind to try and do whatever it is that they can realistically do on their own. The father of the young girl, although saddened by the loss of his daughter, certainly didn’t feel that the camp had done anything wrong. It makes for interesting coffee conversation, but unless we are standing in their shoes, I’m not sure any of us are qualified to make a judgment.

As for the governor and president––what they may have or have not known and what they did or did not do with that information will long be fodder fuel of political discussions. If the principles involved were in the other party, it would no doubt cause the tone of the discussions to be reversed. Whatever has been done cannot be reversed and I guarantee you that something very similar will happen again to someone somewhere.

The biggest problem I have is the loss of young lives in Iraq. I know when you have conflict you have casualties, but we can’t look on them as they did during the Viet Nam affair of my era. We all know that after the events of 9-11 that things in our world would never be the same and perhaps this will have to be the new normal. We don’t have to like it, but it is so very important that we support those who are sent to do their jobs both when they are there and when they return.

So now history will be the final voter on all of the above issues and all of the Monday morning quarterbacks who got it right will be able to tell the rest of us that they told us so. In these events, as in most, if someone who was close either that day or at an earlier time would have stepped in maybe some of the tragedies could have been avoided.

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When I visited with my mother in Iowa on Sunday, she asked what celebration was going on last weekend, noting that we in this part of the world seem to have something going on each and every weekend. And you know, she’s pretty much got it figured out. Last weekend Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls hosted the annual Wannigan Days event. Great weather and big crowds helped make the event a grand success.

This weekend is the Center City Heritage Days event with much going on for the entire family. See the complete list of events in this Press.

Next weekend is the annual Stacy Daze event. Check next week’s Search and Press for all of those events. And certainly not to be forgotten is the annual Almelund Threshing Party, Aug. 8, 9 and 10. This year there will be an added attraction. Sunday, Aug. 3 there will be a caravan of antique tractors driving from near Stillwater to the threshing grounds, east of Almelund. It should be a sight to behold.

Just reading through that list of events and thinking back on those already completed in the area, I am reminded that the entire area is so very blessed to have so many great volunteers willing to step up and get the job done for all of these celebrations.

Last Thursday I was at the fair in Rush City to get a photo of this year’s Outstanding Senior Citizens, and as I always am, I was overwhelmed by the wonderful, lively group of seniors gathered for the awards. These folks provide much volunteer service and their youthful outlook on life is wonderful. Congratulations to this year’s winners––Shirley Mollan and Clark Malcomson––you will be great ambassadors for the county.

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It is not too late to get involved in the Chisago County Relay for Life events. The North Branch event is this weekend, July 25-26, at Tanger Outlet Center, and the Chisago Lakes event will take place Saturday, Aug. 2 into Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Chisago Lakes High School football and track field. Get involved today and you can help make a difference.

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