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Hammertime: This season equals clean up, and more

Spring and summer are the times of fun, classic cars and more, in this week’s Hammertime
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Mike Rainone

Hammertime

Even though I am now out of the playoffs, I will continue to cheer for the Winnipeg Jets to win the Stanley Cup for Canada, but now I will be able to watch with less stress and lots more quality time to enjoy springing into summer with all the rest of you.

How great it is to get out and about in the sunshine, warm wind, and rain and to watch others of all ages getting caught up in the keen spirit of this unique season that at its peak offers 12 hours of sunshine each day, lots of rain to bring on the green, the garden, and the crops, and all sorts of extra time for sports and leisure activities, with most golf courses now in full ‘swing mode.’

Although it was held up a bit due to a pesky and extended April winter, lots of clean-up and construction is now in full swing on all fronts. We all need to be very aware and watch very closely as the street-sweepers and crews will be out and about everywhere cleaning up the streets and parks, filling pot-holes, and all the rest, while the avid farmers and green thumbs will all most certainly be out in their yards and their fields preparing the rich soil for planting, and looking forward to a bountiful return over the next six or so magnificent and balmy months. Out on our highways and by-ways the dedicated 4-H clubs will soon be doing their annual much-appreciated clean-up, while construction and other projects will be going on from now until the fall. It is vital to always watch for the warning signs and flag personnel along the way and be prepared to slow down and drive at the posted speeds on both lanes. With the fines and consequences for infractions in these areas as well as for distracted driving being recently greatly increased and very sincere, it is most important for each and every one of us to always obey the laws and respect the safety of ourselves and everyone else.

Among the sweetest signs of this time of the year is the happy hustle and bustle of everyone out and about in their casual and sassy warm weather attire and enjoying themselves in a busy but relaxed mode of new and exciting activities and participation. Then there is the overwhelming aroma of the back-yard barbecues and beer, the fresh smell of rain, the first call of play ball/soccer/football/tennis and all the rest, while many of us will actually witness lots of families putting up their garage sale signs and others finally taking down their Christmas decorations. I was really quite shocked to hear on the news and social front last week that one of the biggest complaints of the parks and sports-fields clean-up crews was the overwhelming presence of garbage, cigarette butts, and ‘doggy do’ in all areas. It only takes a little co-operation from everyone to spare a few extra seconds and use the garbage cans and receptacles and to pick up after their pets so that our leisure areas will be clean, green, and pristine for the pleasure of everyone…who will appreciate us for the rest of a great summer.

As we spring into summer there will be all kinds of family activities and events going on in around the community, including games of outdoor and indoor sports, trade shows, downtown garage sales, tournaments, 82nd Ponoka Stampede, show-n-shine car shows, vintage motorcycle rally, competitions at the Calnash Ag Event Centre, Ponoka Agricultural Fair, and so much more, all of which really appreciate spectators and keen support. Yours truly has been blessed with very few mechanical skills and could never afford to own one of those magnificently restored, pampered, and preserved vehicles, but I love going to the shows and chatting with the very skilled and ambitious owners. My wife and I have really enjoyed taking in the huge show-n-shine summer weekend spectaculars at Parksville and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island as well as stopping in at Duncan and checking out dad’s classic old 1964 Ford Mustang, which is now under the tender love and care of our nephew Kyle.

Now let’s have a little fun

• You never realize how long a minute is until you are exercising with your buddies after two cups of coffee.

• I might be old fashioned but I’d rather hear your voice than read a text.

• We will always be friends until we are old and senile…and then we can become new friends.

• Because I am such an awesome grandpa I am currently helping my grandchildren searching for their chocolate that I ate last night.

• Not everyone is meant to be a doctor or a lawyer…teach your kids that it’s okay to work with your hands and build cool stuff. Don’t you dare forget Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13th, get outside and rake yourself back into shape, and then have a great week, all of you.