Fathers are wonderful people, too little understood. And we don't sing their praises as often as we should. For, somehow father seems to be the man who pays the bills, while mother binds up little hurts and nurses all the ills.
And father struggles daily to live up to 'his image' as protector and provider and hero of the scrimmage. Perhaps that is the reason we sometimes get the notion that Fathers are not subject to the thing we call emotion. But, if we look inside dad's heart where no one else can see, you'll find he's sentimental and as soft as he can be. But, he's so busy every day in the grueling race of life, he leaves the sentimental stuff to his partner and his wife.
Father's are just wonderful in a million different ways. And they merit loving compliments and accolades of praise. For the only reason Dad aspires to fortune and success is to make the family proud of him and bring them happiness. And, like our Heavenly Father, he's a guardian and a guide. Someone we can count on to be always at our side. (With thanks to my friend Charles for this poem by an unknown poet.)
How many dads are guilty of these? "Don't ask me, ask your mother."; "Don't worryit's only blood."; "You call that noise music?"; "Keep your eye on the ball."; "Were you raised in a barnclose the door!"; "You call that a haircut?"; "As long as you live under my roof, you'll live by my rules."; "You throw like a girl."; "What's so funny? Wipe that smile off your face."; "No, we're not there yet."; "Don't give me any lip."; "If I told you once I told you a thousand times."; "Turn off the lights. Do you think I'm made of money?"; "Cause I said so!"
SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM OFFERED
The Washington Morgan County Community Action Center is offering free weekday lunches for children.
The "Ohio Summer Feeding Program" is providing the opportunity for kids to join them for a free, hot, nutritious meal from noon to 1 p.m. now through July 27.
The meals are provided Monday through Friday at the Beverly United Methodist Church, 700 Park Street, Beverly, OH. Anyone attending must call 740-373-3455 to reserve a meal for each day they plan to attend. Great meals and fun programs will be available throughout the summer. This program is open to all children. Please remember to call 740-373-3455 to be sure a meal will be available for each child attending the program.
DREAM BIG AND READ!
The summer reading program at the Beverly Public Library is in full swing. A full week of activities for children, teens, adults, and families is planned beginning tomorrow. Monday evenings at 5:30 is Family Night featuring food, crafts, movies, stories, and games. A weekly drawing is planned for all participating families to enter and win.
Tuesdays feature a special guest speaker that has a 'night' job. This week, come listen as the Southeast Astronomy Society takes you to the stars.
Wednesday is for preschoolers. Read-to-Me Story time begins at 11 a.m. for pre-readers and a 'special grown-up' that must remain with the child during the story time. A craft and snack will also be provided.
Elementary age children, grades 1-5, have their turn on Thursdays at 1 p.m. This Thursday will feature a program about night animals.
Students in grade 6-12 are encouraged to visit the library on Friday at 1 p.m. June 22 will include a program of "Night Images".
All participants in the summer reading challenges are reminded completed activities are due by July 14. Treat bags will be available for pick-up July 18-26.
The pool party for everyone who has turned in the needed record sheets or reading hours is July 26 from 7-9 p.m. Admittance to the party is by ticket only. Tickets will be included in the treat bags.
The next Saturday book club is scheduled for July 21 at noon. The selected book is "Next Thing on My List". Copies of the book are available at the library.
For questions about any of these programs, contact the library at 984-4060.
Sue Sampson is a longtime columnist for The Parkersburg News & Sentinel.
