Whew! What a week! Another Delaware County Fair is in the books and it was the best fair for me in a long time. All three of my grandchildren were with us here and it always makes it so much better with a child.
Two of my grandchildren had never been to the fair, and the third was now old enough to remember it, and I know they will. The aviary was a big hit and nice addition. The sand sculpture was cool, the art show fantastic, and the kangaroos were a big hit, as was the petting zoo with the camels and alpacas.
But the 4-H animals stole the show. They loved seeing and touching so many animals and their eyes were huge with excitement. It’s the most fun I’ve had at the fair in years, seeing it through their eyes.
The food prices were high, but so is the supermarket. I always make a point to hit the local vendors first, although we didn’t eat there too much. As always, it’s good to see people we don’t see all the time and we enjoyed visiting with folks.
We enjoyed the concert too. The Billy Joel band was good but the Journey cover band, Legend, was really good. And you can’t beat the price. Too bad the biggest part of the crowd left the gates near the end. I personally don’t usually go over to the rides, but I did this year. And even with the “presale deal” it wasn’t really worth it unless an adult bought a band too. But the rides they did get on they enjoyed. I wouldn’t have traded the experience for the world, so thank you fair board and Julie, Eric and Tiffany for all the fun and memories we created.
Thank you to the volunteers who make this a special week here in Walton.
Thirty-six adorable babies were entered in the United Health Services Delaware Valley Hospital cutest baby contest. This year’s winners are: in first place, Fletcher Hanley, son of Rebecca and Phillip Hanley of Walton; in second place was Jessica Rutherford and Joseph Hanrahan’s son Daniel Brian Hanrahan of Walton; and in third place was Charlotte Decker, daughter of Kesley Miller and Brennon Decker of Sidney Center. Each child receives a savings account at Wayne Bank. The event raised $1,449.50 which will be used for improvements at the hospital.
In addition to the baby contest, the hospital offered at least 273 blood pressure checks, 103 blood sugar screenings, information on patient portal MyChart and information on the importance of physical activity and families enjoying activities together. The basketball game was a huge success bringing 757 players over the course of the fair. A $100 gift card drawing for an indoor/outdoor basketball game was won by Theresa Doyle.
Varsity Fall Sports practices started this weekend, which is a sure sign we’re getting close to school starting. The soccer teams will practice in Downsville and get bused to and from our high school.
Varsity football, field hockey and JV and Varsity volleyball will practice here. Varsity football has a scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. in Windsor. Let’s get out and cheer for our Warrior athletes, now merged with Downsville Eagle athletes.
Mark your calendars for the first rehearsal/informational meeting for this year’s Delaware River Stage Company Christmas Show Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 at the Walton Theatre. Always wanted to be a part of the show? Meet them there for all the info you need to join.
Don’t miss the grand opening of the new Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties Walton office, 233 Delaware Street. Steve Kaminsky has been busy renovating the old Ogden Real Estate office and they will welcome everyone Aug. 25 at 3 for the grand opening. Food and beverages, ribbon cutting and a raffle.
Ellie Truman is spearheading the return of an in-person Walton Community Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Deb Myer just had a Pampered Chef fundraiser where she donated a percentage of her proceeds to help fund it. If you missed it, or are like me and don’t cook, you can still donate by sending a check to Wayne Bank, care of Tim Gutliph. Specify “Community Thanksgiving” in the memo line. This is an ongoing project, so give when and if you can. They are also exploring support funding and a location for the Christmas community dinner. Many hands make light work so volunteer if you can or donate if you’re able.
Walton’s Walk for Hunger is Sunday, Sept 24. Registration begins at 2 p.m., the walk begins at 3. Choose a 1- or 2-mile course, beginning at Walton Veterans’ Plaza, Delaware Street, Walton. People cannot always make it to some events, so this year the committee has set up a Go Fund Me page for a convenient way for everyone to support the cause. Proceeds benefit the Walton Food Bank, the Walton churches that hold community suppers, and the school weekend backpack program which provides weekend food to children in need. S & S Foodtruck will be there and will donate 25% of their proceeds to the event and Don Foster’s BG Tunes will be there with his children’s games. It’s a great community event that you can be involved in at whatever level you want. You can walk, sponsor, come and eat and play games and you can stop at the plaza with a donation if no one asks you to sponsor them. Proceeds distribution: 30% to the Walton Food Bank, 30% to the Weekend Backpack Program (WEB), 30% to churches free community meals and 10% to Clear Path for Veterans in Vestal. Every year 90% of the money raised stays in Walton, and the final 10% goes to a charity voted on by the committee.
The Uplands Center will host several free community events so people can explore themselves and the beautiful countryside around us. A guided community hike will take place Saturday, Sept. 2, from 10-11 a.m. on The Uplands Center’s brook trail. The trails are not normally open to the public, so it’s a chance to explore some of the best hiking in Delaware County. You’ll pass through a meadow into the forest, and follow a rushing brook to a scenic waterfall. The trail is a 1.3 mile-long loop, and involves some steep incline. The hike is free, and no RSVP necessary. Family friendly - bring along anyone who loves the outdoors. Meet at the bottom of 2641 Dunk Hill Road by the “Welcome” sign. The group will leave promptly at 10 a.m., so arrive a few minutes early.
Plan to attend the Awakenings Dream Circle at The Uplands Center Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 5:30-7 p.m. To register email renee@uplandscenter.org
Since the beginning of recorded time, spiritual and wisdom traditions across the world have consulted their dreams for guidance, insight, healing, relationships, spirituality, creative endeavors and all aspects of life. Awakenings Dream Circles support guests in awakening to this sacred intelligence that is available each and every night. In this introductory program, artist and art therapist Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs facilitates guests in cultivating a relationship with their personal inner sage. Through contemplative and arts-based practices, guests will, awaken to the profound guidance available through dreams, unearth the vast, collective and personal wisdom of the unconscious mind, discover personal rituals that amplify dream recall and guidance. They will become attune to symbols and metaphor of dream language and come away with a deeper understanding of dream imagery. These experience will allow you to lift up opportunities for lifelong healing and guidance
Attendees are invited to bring a short dream or portion of a dream to potentially be explored in the Dream Circle. Time constraints will depend on group size which will dictate how many dreams we are able to explore.
Then, the Center will sponsor a community garden-to-table dinner Sunday, Sept. 17, from 4-6:30 p.m. Join The Uplands Center’s agricultural director and garden crew for a farm-to-table dinner. During this two hour event, you will tour the garden, learn about permaculture, harvest produce, enjoy a cooking demonstration and a garden-fresh meal together. The event is free, but space is limited, so register in advance. For registration email renee@uplandscenter.org
