Fireworks were grand and glorious
By TOOTSIE SNELLING
Marion County Park & Lake reporter
Beautiful, grand, glorious, best ever! These were some of the words used to describe the fireworks Sunday evening. With the light mist that was falling, we weren't sure if they would be able to shoot them off, but it was a go and it was beautiful. The low cloud cover made them seem even brighter. I don't think the crowd honked as much as last year, but maybe everyone was huddled under blankets to keep warm and maybe not as jubilant as last year with all the rain that we'd had. But, we did our part by yelling and clapping. The beach area, boat ramp area, and both shelter houses were full of people and cars were along all the inside and outside roads. Thanks again to everyone who helped in any way, it was great.
The rain put a damper on the weekend, not saying we didn't need it, but it was bad on the tent campers, most of whom packed up and left Saturday morning, even the trailer house campers. One lady said they had played every card game there was and was ready for the sun to come out. A few brave boaters were out and a few swimmers, too, but not the crowd that usually is on Labor Day.
The fishermen just moved into the heated dock or put on their raincoats and sat in the rain. We had a total of just over six inches and it brought the lake up to just below the overflow windows.
We attended the Labor Day parade in Florence and there seemed to be a big crowd for it, but I'm sure their events for the days before were hurt because of the rains.
The hall was busy over the weekend. George and Earlene Hardy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday evening in one half and the Kelsheimers held a family reunion in the other.
On Sunday, both the Winters and Snellings had family reunions in the day time and in the evening Melinda Schroeder had one half. They were celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Merle Douglas's 50th wedding anniversary. The Gaskills had the other end for a cookout for family and friends who came to see the fireworks. Both shelters were rented with people watching the fireworks.
Our weekend guests were Mark, Leann, Kiana, and Levi Lewman of Sedgwick, Other visitors were Dan, Tam, Tristen, and Seth Snelling, Dean Snelling, and Julie and Madison Acock.
We're off to the Flint Hills to see if the cracks in the ground have filled and to see if our pond is full!!!
