By: Ernie Wren
I’m taking a week or two off from writing to have surgery for my rotator cuff, bicep, bone spurs, and other junk that has collected in my shoulder these past 62 years. Once I heal up from that, I also have a “flipped meniscus” on my knee that needs to be repaired, so I’ll be somewhat in and out of commission over the next few months. I’m hoping to get back to full strength by the end of the year so I can start subbing in January. Anyway, I’ll be back after a short hiatus!

Take time to go to the “Halloween Trivia Night” hosted by Helping Hands of Southern Boone this coming Saturday, Nov. 2nd at the Ashland American Legion Hall. Social hour and snacks from 5-6 pm, and trivia 6-8 pm. The cost is $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight, with all proceeds going to help provide needed clothes and household goods at the Free Store downtown. This is a great organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, and is making a difference in our community. The event will feature awards for best costume, best dressed table, and top trivia team. There will also be a silent auction for fun items.

FYI…Illinois is the number one state in numbers of pumpkins produced!

The school district hosted the Boone County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Division this past week, and if you missed it, there is still an opportunity to review the information. Per the district’s posting, “Detective Evans shared some helpful resources for families from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. We encourage you to explore these materials to learn more about the topics discussed during the meeting. Check them out here: www.missingkids.org/theissues. The Southern Boone School District and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office hope to make this an annual event, offering ongoing opportunities for parents to learn about online safety in our ever-changing digital world.”

Have a safe and happy Halloween tomorrow! Walk on sidewalks, use crosswalks, and make eye contact with drivers. Drivers, slow down, be alert and use headlights early. These simple steps can help ensure a fun and safe Halloween for everyone.
The annual Ashland Optimist Club Spooktacular is on Halloween from 5-7 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public. You can also visit the fun Hartsburg American Legion Hall “Halloween Trunk-or-Treat” from 5pm to 8pm tomorrow.

Linus: “Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He’s gotta pick this one. He’s got to. I don’t see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there’s not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.”

My own belief is that he is talking about the pumpkin patches you find in Hartsburg, and the small-town greatness that shows up best at the holidays. Happy Halloween!