I was driving my golf cart around Allen last week and was looking to see what Allen folks are doing this summer. Contrary to what a passersby might think, Allen is a pretty busy place. Lots of people are busy getting ready for their vacations and some are already back from theirs. I drove by the swimming pool down at the park and a happy bunch of kids were doing their best to stay cool and have fun under the blazing mid-summer sun. And yes, that’s great and fun way to beat the heat. And boy. Allen does get really hot here in July.

I saw barefoot kids “dancing” their way down a blistering Lee Street on their way to the pool. They won’t try that too often. Bare feet will be finding shoes real quick. If the town still seems a little quiet to you remember in mid-summer lots of kids, go to camp. Church camps and Bible schools are in full swing now and the big camp near Davis called Falls Creek is happening about the middle of the month. Call Steve Hall, pastor at the First Baptist church if you need more details on the “Creek.”

A pretty good-sized contingent of our Allen High FCCLA kids are missing in action too. These kids were invited to participate in the FCCLA finals and were flown to San Diego this year. They were invited because of their outstanding performances at the local and State levels. Wow. I wouldn’t mind beating the heat out there by being with them. I mean, every night is cool in Sand Diego. Maybe 62 degrees? Day times a sizzling 78 degrees. I spent a luxurious summer in San Diego in 1954. Boot camp. Like to froze to death every night.

I see, from reading our Allen’s school web site that these kids are indeed doing well out there too. Our school kids usually do great in things like this. And if you like to keep up with local school activities let me invite you to check this web site out. It’s been improved. Lots of information on how to enroll your kids and lots of pictures of our kids enjoying their summer activities. I know I enjoyed looking at the good things that are going on with our kids this summer up at our Allen Schools. I’m sure there will be some more information on just how well our kids are doing out in California too.

I don’t guess this has much to do with our kid’s summer, but I would just like to note just once more that Covid is still alive and killing people in Oklahoma. Pat and I went over to the Pontotoc County Health Department last week and we both got another Covid Booster. Yeah, I know. You don’t like shots and neither do we. But it is a good gift to yourself and your family to get this protection. And let me add. This one was painless, and my arm never got sore, and I felt pretty good about myself knowing I was not only protecting myself but was helping to protect my loved ones as well.

I was in Muskogee Sunday and spoke with a nurse in the VA Hospital about this. She said, “yes, seems like we just can’t get past this pandemic. We have 6 new patients in here right now—just when we had hoped we were about to get rid of these masks.”

And lastly: Additional congratulations to our town! Our paper is now owned and in the capable hands of Dianna Brannan. We love this lady and wish her well. And all of you take care of yourself.

And be sure and go to your church Sunday. Wayne Bullard, DPh cwaynebullard@gmail.com