October 2023

Despite the relatively mild fall weather we’ve had so far, it won’t stay that way. We’ll soon be faced with much colder temperatures and maybe even some snow. If we’re lucky, we’ll be spared any other winter precipitation. Pets are part of the family, but some people prefer not to have them indoors. Those who don’t allow their pets indoors should prepare now for the winter. Don’t wait until a cold rain or heavy snowfall when you yourself wouldn’t want to be outside. Do it now. “Winterize” your pets’ homes, whether they are dogs, cats, or other animals. Here are some practical suggestions: For dogs and cats: Make sure the dog’s house faces south, has something across the door to keep the wind and weather out, is elevated off the ground, has clean straw (NOT hay) for insulation, and is not in an area prone to standing water. Avoid using towels and blankets for bedding – they get wet and freeze. Ensure the dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially rabies. Provide plenty of food and water. Staying warm requires more calories, and dogs can dehydrate as they lose body heat. A cardboard box, an old car, a carport, a camper top, or being on or under a porch do NOT qualify as suitable ‘shelter’ for a dog.

We went out to eat at a fancy restaurant for our 20th anniversary so I made Mike wear khakis. As we were eating, a woman walked by and her fluffy sleeve snagged his chair back. This caused her to pour her glass of white wine all over his pants. She was mortified. Mike told her: “The only thing I’m upset about is that it wasn’t red wine. I hate these pants.”

The Good Earth held many festivals over the years. Perhaps the biggest and best ever were held at The E. Sloan Heritage Farm. The farm was entered through Old Davidsonville State Park, situated at the south end and bordered by Black River. The farm was rented each year for a set fee to The Good Earth, by the E.Sloan family. Back in that day, there was a two-dollar per car fee to enter the park. This fee was waived for those going to the farm. I believe the biggest festivals we ever held were those at The Sloan Farm. As yet Kilo Vista had not been given to The Good Earth. Big on Festival Posters at that time, not only as an event announcement but they were great money- makers. The small ads alone sold for fifteen dollars the larger ones were more, and we all sold ads. Just a few weeks back we ran across an old Good Earth poster from May 1997, it was unearthed here at our office. It was advertising an Old Fashioned Horse Plowing Demonstration Day. YES, Red has it stuck back up on our office wall. We read it all with a bit of Reminiscing on some old Randolph County History. Sadly some of those businesses no longer exist, while many continue to thrive and carry on.