Log in Subscribe

Smallwood-Mongaup Valley

Oh Say Can You See

James Loney
Posted 8/20/21

You, too, will probably just this week have noticed them: the first few yellow leaves of bearded August dropping like wastrels from tree boughs still flush with dark summer green. August is indeed …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Smallwood-Mongaup Valley

Oh Say Can You See

Posted

You, too, will probably just this week have noticed them: the first few yellow leaves of bearded August dropping like wastrels from tree boughs still flush with dark summer green. August is indeed growing out his beard. With little more than two weeks to go until the long Labor Day weekend and the return of many children to the classroom, civic and community life in Smallwood is reaching its late summer high point.

Though the days are shortening quickly now, some days in Smallwood and Mongaup Valley are so hot now that we believe we’re in southern Florida. The heat and humidity! The weather this persnickety summer has had a personal impact on me as a small business owner. The cold and rainy May and June suppressed foot traffic and revenues to Sticky Fingers Delectables.

Then came these current Floridian dog days of torrid steam. Ten days ago, in the middle of the night, “Main” (my main ice cream freezer), chock full of the most precious ice creams imaginable, broke down. Thank you everyone for your support since that day. Sticky Fingers Delectables is back again!

There are lots of final summer events and meetings here in Smallwood, planned by our intrepid Smallwood Civic Association (SWCA) Board. One issue that has lately preoccupied a lot of Smallwoodians is the topic of the use of rentals and Airbnbs in our Hamlet. On Saturday, August 28th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Association Lodge, the SWCA is holding a meeting where the membership can express its hopes and concerns about short-term rentals in Smallwood. Given reports over the summer of loud outdoor parties and speeding cars on our lazy shady roads, the discussion promises to be a lively one. If you have an opinion, and are a member of the SWCA—what? you have an opinion but aren’t yet a SWCA member and therefore can’t sit at the table to help the community find solutions!?—please try to attend.

Another big event in the SWCA calendar is the final General Meeting of the 2021 season. This will take place at the Lodge and/or on Zoom on Saturday, September 4th at 10:00 a.m.

This meeting will begin with three proposed Amendments to the Association’s Constitution. As is typical for most organizations organized around a central governing document, changes to the SWCA Constitution are relatively difficult to make and require considerable advance preparation.

Members, please sign into your SWCA account and look under “Membership” > “Resolutions to Amend Constitution” for more information about the content of the resolutions. All three amendments appear (to me) to simplify operations in our community. Vote YES on all three!

One last item. On September 4th, after the General Meeting, there will be a community picnic and fireworks display at the Association Beach beginning at 7:30 p.m. There will be a few yellow leaves bobbing in the water under exploding rockets.

Much good food, and the sound of dying laughter out over the waters. -- Life is good, Reader. Be well, and make sure everyone you love gets that vaccine.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here