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HAMMERTIME: Let’s get on with summer holidays…rain or shine

Enjoying the summer months and loving life to the fullest in this week’s Hammertime
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You can just hear the kids hoopin’ and hollerin’ because, in just a few days, the final exam buzz and class wind-up parties will be over, the report cards are at home being admired and it is finally time to let loose and roar into those hazy, crazy, lazy days of summer, no matter what the weather might turn out to be.

All of us, no matter what age, we will fondly remember that those first few days of ‘freedom from school’ will be totally wild and wonderful, what with the thrills of the Ponoka Stampede, planning for summer camps, getting to stay up late and sleep in and then digging out and jumping into those favourite scruffy old lazy clothes from the back of your closet.

I would love to share some of the greatest memories of those fabulous 1960 days of summers on behalf of all of us who were young once as well as to encourage our new generations who are just getting into the ‘holiday hype’ to get out in the fresh air and have fun to the fullest with new and best buddies, while always saving a little ‘quality time’ for your favourite family.

• Going on holidays with our family was great, at least until we turned into teens and wanted to borrow the car, hang out with the ‘in-crowd,’ impress the girls, and have lots of ‘sleep-overs,’ preferably in tents at the lake.

• For most young lads and lassies one of the greatest thrills of the ‘hot months’ over the years have been the adventures of ‘summer camps,’ whether they be church, scouts, brownies, cubs,, band, sports, and many leisure activities. Once you got over being ‘home-sick’ for a couple of hours and remembered to change your under-wear and socks after a real quick and early shower every morning, it was an amazing week mixing with nature and new friends, hanging out around the camp-fire, and all types of games and water activities that allowed us to never forget the joys of growing up.

• Summer always means lots of sports, including softball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, lacrosse, football, and all the rest, with a neat chance to go to tournaments, swim meets, and other competitions at home or on the road.

• Those of us looking to grab a little extra cash to bolster our ‘meagre allowance’ in order to buy treats, gas money, clothes, dates, or what-ever looked forward to finding a ‘summer job’ where hopefully we could get weekends off for ‘party time.’ It is also fun to consider becoming a volunteer over the holidays in special events or programs, where you can get an amazing experience and opportunity to help others and meet lots of new people just a few enjoyable hours a week.

• If we were just footloose and fancy free we could just wander the pristine countryside collecting all sorts of bugs and weird species in jars (which weren’t allowed in the house), or fat worms to put on our hooks while trying to lure some big Jackfish or suckers at the Battle River Dam. If it was too hot we would spend hours swimming (occasionally skinny dipping) at Three Islands or BB beach, on the windy days we made kites and flew them for hours, and if we were old enough we might just get to hang out at the Bowling Alley or the Pool Hall along Chipman Avenue.

• The days are so long in the summer, and I will always remember that after we did our chores and walked the dog, if it wasn’t raining we were chased outside and told to have fun, behave, play safe and fair, and make sure to come home in time for dinner and supper or a band-aid if required. We had no computers or cell phones then and the T.V. did not come on until after the supper dishes were done. I suppose it may have changed just a little over the years, but the opportunity will always be there to get outside and enjoy summer at our leisure but to the fullest with family, neighbours, and old and new friends. We deserve the best so, let’s dare to achieve it, and then go ahead and have a great week, all of you.