Musings

This is not the best picture for which I apologise. It was taken in Quarryville, PA at the SOLANCO Fair parade on Sept. 20, 2006. SOLANCO = Southern Lancaster County. The parade starts +/- 6PM and as you can see it is dark now. You name it and it probably is in the parade, for a $25 fee. This is a quick shot as the parade route is jammed with people. This is "serious" business. So much so that you bring your lawn chairs the day before and stake your claim with them to where you are watching the parade. If you have not staked your claim you better come early to find the few remaining spots. The parade starts pretty much on time and ends when the genuine steam driven Calliope (card read music machine) goes by. Music I love.

Oh yes, the picture. Almost forgot, well not quite. It is the Lancaster County bookmobile. Next fall I will try to get a better picture to post. The reason I didn't get a better picture is this.

I get to involved looking at the antique tractors etc. and don't get to the bookmobile.

The above photo is a friend I've made since going to visit my son Philip. Philip live in Buck, PA which is just west of Quarryville, PA. Ralph K is one of the most genuine men I have ever met. He is pulling someone else's trailer for advertising in the fair parade. Take a look at the sidewalk in the back of the photo and you will see I wasn't kidding about crowds.

Ralph has two JD antique tractors. He gets a young fellow to drive the other one in the parade. I can't remember a time when Ralph isn't smiling and/or laughing. He waves to everybody because he knows every body, well almost. This is community.

Ralph lives a reverse life. By day he sleeps, does chores, works on the truck, rides his bicycle from the house over to the barn and anything else that needs doing. By dark of night he does milk pick up at many farms in the area, including a large number of Amish farms. When his first pick up is at an Amish farm on Sunday night he'll say "can't start till midnight tonight." The Amish are strict about that.

When Ralph's tanker is full or all the stops make he takes the milk to one of several places. Hershey's often gets first dibbs and will take the milk if the butter fat level is to their standards. If not it may go to cheese or somewhere else. Then it is back home and to bed.

I love the SOLANCO Fair for this reason. There is no midway. It is one of the last "pure fairs" left. The closest to a midway they come is the tractor pull. That goes to midnight or later. There are the serious pullers all the way down to the "also rans." From time to time you will see a father and son combo where Dad is teaching his son the ropes. Family, I like that!

Inside the show barns are the crafts. Everything from clothing, quilts and all the usual. There are the vegetable growing, cooked items competition. There are a few levels of pumpkin decorating. An aside....My grandson entered his first pumpkin. All week Sheri was trying to prepare him that he might not win anything but it was fun entering etc. We all went in and this is Kyle's pumpkin with a 1st place ribbon on it. "So much for that lesson" said Sheri.

Hay, corn, processed foods too many for me to remember at this hour. All judged with awards given.

Then the livestock showing. All are judged with awards given. Then on Friday night the winning animals are auctioned off. If I recall correct this is a requirement. If Philip reads this he can set me straight on that. I love to watch the auction. One of the spotters, Jim, is also a friend I've made there. He is no spring chicken, a retired successful farmer. Sold his farm which is still operating and is enjoying his retirement. He is a spotter at the auction and I love watching him work his area. He carries a stick and waves it at his people trying to get them to bid. Jim sets an example by buying a couple animals from the kids. Sponsors also buy animals. Local restaurants buy animals. One thing that stands out in my mind is the gratefulness shown by the kids. Almost without fail after the animal is sold and back in the stall the owner will come into the gallery and thank the person/group that bought their animal.

Food is superb. Hoffman dining has specials all day with different groups making the meal of the day. Milkshakes are "the real deal" there. Pure milk with pure ice cream. After drinking skim milk the difference stands out instantly.

For a guy raised in a city environment I sure do appreciate the finer things in life. For three days in September the finest things in life are found at the SOLANCO Fair.

Shortchange Gene