Letters to the Editor

As published Aug. 1, 2007

Town Camp Night open to all area residents

I am writing in regard to the upcoming Town Camp Night and Windy Ridge Park Dedication on August 11th. This event is sponsored by the Mt. Airy Parks and Recreation Commission and is open to all residents of the area. If you live outside town limits, there is a $5 fee. If you are a member of an organization, such as a scout troop, that provides community service to the town, we waive that fee. A hot dog dinner and cold breakfast will be provided.

This year's event will feature the entertainment of Slim Harrison. Slim has performed throughout the region and offers a "hoe down" flavor with his banjo and assortment of instruments that welcome kids to play along.

We are also offering an astronomy program which will cover requirements for BSA and GSA badges. Boy Scouts should bring a blue card and provided a clear sky is available, should come away with a merit badge.

The park dedication ceremony at 6:30 p.m. will conclude with the unveiling of a new park sign painted by a local artist and inspired from last year's "Name the Park" contest.

The large open fields of Windy Ridge Park offer opportunities for model rocketry, kite flying, telescope star gazing, Frisbee throwing and many other activities. Creativity is encouraged!

We will also be testing the waters for a dessert cook off for next year's Camp Night. Folks are encouraged to bring Dutch ovens, box ovens, Coleman stoves or other camp equipment and cook a dessert to share as the evening progresses.

Flyers, maps and registration forms for this event are available at Town Hall. Registration forms are due August 6th.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Larry Hushour
Mt. Airy Board of Parks & Recreation

Car shows bring people together

I have a few comments about the recent article in the Messenger about the car show complaints.

I have been to several of the car shows at Jimmie Cone, enjoying my ice cream, looking at cool cars and chatting with their owners. One thing you will notice if you attend the event is that the average age of the car owners is probably around 45, and they usually have wives, children and sometimes grandchildren with them.

There are no gangs, no drugs, and no alcohol. Are we seriously thinking that a bunch of middle-aged men eating ice cream are a danger to society and need a police presence?

If the space used in the parking lot is an issue for Food Lion, then that should be addressed with proper signage and markers during the event. The parking lot is big enough for everyone.

The car shows are community events that bring people together. It is one of the things that keeps Mt. Airy feeling like a small town-let's not ruin that.

Greg Shonting
Mt. Airy