As the seasons change…

Municipal budget season is upon us and so far South Dundas council is taking a responsible approach to the pending budget. They are expending a tremendous amount of time and effort on reviewing everything involved […]

 

First impressions really do matter. Ask anyone. And flubbed first impressions can come back to haunt you. Forever.

In my extreme youth, I decided to travel to an all inclusive resort in Jamaica for a vacation. By myself. What a great opportunity to meet new friends, especially, the agent told me, since most of the resort visitors would be German tourists! First morning, first day, I approached the crowded pool ready to make that crucial entrance. Didn’t notice the sign which said “slippery when wet.” Rolled head over heels down a shallow flight of stairs, in my bathing suit, and flopped (unhurt), butt in the air, to the cement, before dozens of suddenly quiet German guests. I impressed. Oh yes.

“Tragic” first impressions can even happen to one’s nearest and dearest.

My parents and their friends, Wes and Marian, attended a party hosted by a dignified and formal couple they barely knew. As they were saying good night, Wes, prodded to compliment the hosts, floundered around, then finally loudly announced, “All kidding aside, cheese sandwiches do make a real good cheap lunch.”

They were not invited back.

Two weeks later, the four attended yet another party. My parents had been at this home once before, (and apparently my father hadn’t found the occasion memorable).  This was different. As he vigorously shook the hostess’ hand, he said, with deep conviction, “Gee, I really had a good time, this time.”

They were not invited back.

Of course, no first impression could be as traumatic as that of my friend’s friend, a woman who had been seriously dating a certain young man and had finally been invited home to meet his parents. Dressed in her best, wearing a pair of high, high heels, she nervously made small talk with the parents, while standing at the top of the stairs in their split level. 

She turned, promptly caught one of those heels, tripped, and then rolled violently down the steps  –  landing directly on top of the family’s beloved chihuahua.

They did not get married.

Just to prove that lightning can strike twice where first impressions are concerned, two years ago I went to the Dominican, this time travelling with friends. 

First day, very first public appearance, I wandered (in that inevitable bathing suit) among the lounge chairs and guests, looking for the place by the pool_where my group had set up. 

Missed noticing the “slippery when wet” sign. Again.

Shortly thereafter, found myself, with my ‘better side’ in the air, face down and sprawled before holidaying strangers. 

A large man in a tight t-shirt  reading “Beer’s my Bud,”  actually helped me up, then genially remarked to the crowd, “Wow, that usually doesn’t happen to me until late afternoon, after lots of brewskis.”

Another grand first impression. Sigh.

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The bank account for the Splashpad to be installed at the South Dundas Children’s Playground in Morrisburg is growing steadily, and we are slowly working our way towards the end of the summer when the organizing committee would like to see the project underway and completed.

With $116,000 now in the bank, thanks to steady fundraising over the last few years and the generosity of a lot of local businesses, clubs and organizations, the committee is now hoping to get the entire community active in coming up with the remaining money needed  for the $200,000 project.

The organizing committee has submitted numerous proposals for grant money, and are hopeful, but you know what they say: You can’t always count on the other guy, sometimes you just got to get out there and do it yourself.

So really the committee is now looking for the South Dundas community, young and old, big and little, in school and out of school, to make a splash with a few fundraisers of your own. You are limited only by your own imagination…and for those of us who are limited on imagination like me, well then the cheque book comes in pretty handy.

For those of you, however, with lots of imagination there are all sorts of events to be considered like bake sales, or yard sales, or a great big huge community party and barbecue like a Block Party or in this case a Park Party, right down there at the playground…with facepainting and balloon popping games of chance…perhaps a cake walk…bake sales…family ‘goofy’ pictures, (we supply the frame, the costumes, the photographer, and you supply the family…a community wide silent auction or some crazy auctions for a free snowblow, or hairdo, or manicure, or garden weeding, a car wash or dinner with a local celeb…and eats and foods with every restaurant and food service in the community on site with their specialties…the list goes on and on. 

It’s all up to you the community. You did it before and the proof is in the  children’s park…at the playground and the nearby beautifully landscaped gardens…so if you did it once, you can do it again…Together we can all make a pretty big $pal$h. Don’t you think?       

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