By Mark Buckley
Through My Eyes
My father used to say we are born, we live, we die, but we can only control one of these. Spring, not January, brings us the birth of a new year. As I sit in my kitchen writing this article, I hear a cardinal singing to attract a new mate. The leaves are coming out on the old oak tree that shades my bedroom during the summer. I see families taking walks together and others walking their dogs. I smell the fresh-cut grass. Yes, life is coming back to celebrate another year.
With the recent rains, it makes me itchy to start planting new flowers in my yard. Stutzman’s and area lawn and garden centers are filling with plants, trees, bushes and necessary accessories. The HCC Plant sale is this week, and the Hutchinson Horticulture Club Plant Sale is April 25. Soon, our yards will be filled with new colors and love.
We all know there are many things in this world that are not positive, but there are many happy successes we can celebrate. Just last week, we celebrated Easter—the death and resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ.
For those of us who were lucky enough to experience Kenny G at the Fox Theater, he not only played the soprano saxophone flawlessly by with ease and style. Afterwards, I waited in line with hundreds to have him sign my CD and pose with a picture with him. He was so special, making each of us feel exceptional. The Fox brings such great entertainment to Hutch, whether it’s a concert, a theater production or classic film.
Did you watch the astronauts return to the moon. These four astronauts flew around the moon and reached the milestone of being the humans that have traveled the farthest from Earth. Did you do something to celebrate this endeavor? To celebrate this achievement, Geneva and I broke out a Moon Pie. I remember not long after I graduated from Atchison High School, we first landed a man on the moon (July 20, 1969), and Neil Armstrong said those memorable words, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” People celebrated all over the world. That was the first time I ate my first Moon Pie. We also had cheese, because when I was young, we were told the moon was made of green cheese. Here in Hutchinson, Skaets introduced the Moon Burger, which I eat often and will again during our next moon landing.
Don’t forget Third Thursday; it’s such a great event filled with art, music, food and family entertainment. DCI Park has a Kids Zone filled with inflatables, yard games and food trucks. Chester Lewis Park entertains you with music and more food. In the Avenue A block, “Artist Avenue” will be filled with local artists and live musicians. New this year, there is a free after-hour concert in Avenue A Park from 7 to 9 p.m. It’s a BYOC (bring your own chair).
So, when you look around this week, be thankful for what you have and look to see what you can do to improve your corner of the Earth. Whether it is planting a flower, helping a neighbor, volunteering or attending an event, it will make you feel healthier and happier.
Mark Buckley is the president of Toy Depot. He can be reached at 620-474-6100.