Homecoming

10/28/2015

The Lay of the Land

By Lyn Messersmith

Homecoming

            This is the season of Fall Festivals, church bazaars, craft shows, and homecoming celebrations, featuring fun, fellowship, and comfort food like Grandma used to make. Many small towns have instituted annual events that focus on what we do best out here; old fashioned pastimes like sack races, skillet tosses, corn mazes, hay rides, and such. Local actors, artists and musicians of all ages have a chance to show off their skills, and fund raisers for community projects fit into the mix as well. When you feed folks and get them laughing, the wallet is more apt to open.

            There seems to be more emphasis on agriculture at these gatherings too, and that’s a good thing. The railroads were a huge factor in settling this part of our state, but none of these villages would exist today without farmers and ranchers. My other favorite part is when the activities take place on Main Street. Rural folks coming in to town for fun need to remember that without local merchants their gas bills would be a lot higher, and that when they decide to head off to a larger cities to get a price break, the so called better deal won’t be made on a first name basis, or sealed with a handshake.

            I haven’t missed many of the Old West Days celebrations in Valentine. That loyalty may be somewhat based on the fact that I met my husband at the first one, but after 24 years it’s become almost a family reunion to visit with folks that we see only at that time of year. I’ve stepped off stage in recent years, in order to roam and gather handshakes and hugs as old friends roll into town, but every year I notice more ‘old’ in Old West Days. A number of the folks we started out with have ridden over the hill, and others are pushing walkers, or using a cane, so we pin our hopes on newcomers and young blood to keep the traditions true. 

Of course these activities couldn’t happen without a lot of volunteers whose home town pride propels them through weeks of exhaustion, and sometimes frustration, so wise committees will rotate members to avoid burnout.

Having served on the Old West board during the early days, I recall how generously the Main Street businesses supported our efforts, and of course they still do. We couldn’t have done it without the backing of the Nebraska Humanities Council either.

It was kind of an uphill road, because many hairy-legged old Sandhillers reared back and growled, “POETRY????” But their wives dragged them to a performance or two, and now you can’t beat them away with a stick. In the Cowboy Poetry world, Valentine’s gathering has established a reputation as the place to be.

Valentine’s High School facility is state of the art, and their administration has welcomed the annual disruption as only fitting for an entity with “Rural” as part of its title. It’s the only possible venue for the kind of crowds that attend, so aren’t we lucky? Yet, I wonder if it’s time to take some of this downtown. Apparently, this year the list of poets and musicians grew, requiring expanded sessions. I’m not sure how much downtown benefitted though, because frankly, it was hard to tear myself away from the performances to get any errands done, and I always have errands when I go to Valentine.

Remember, Main Street brought us to the dance. Bruce and I have attended similar gatherings where a few downtown businesses set aside a small area for daytime performances. Music has a way of drawing people in to listen, and they might decide to shop. (I do, and I’m not a shopper!) Eating establishments offer “Sing for your supper,” where they feed musicians free in exchange for an hour of entertaining their customers. We sure tend to eat supper at those places—that is if we can get in the door.

I’ve no idea if there is any interest in pursuing these notions, but it might be a solution to offering more sessions without expanding the already long day.

(Yeah, I stole the ideas from festivals and celebrations in towns all over the Hi-Line of Nebraska and other parts of the West, so no credit or blame accepted. And no, Jerry, I don’t want to be on the board again, but thanks for asking. It’s your own fault, you know. The deal has gotten so popular that I have my hands full preparing for out of town guests that come to enjoy your efforts.)

Anyway, thanks for another good time. Congratulations to all the communities that work so hard to provide the rest of us such fun. Now, the rest of you, go shop at home, and while you’re at it, say thanks to the volunteers. They’re easy to find: they’ll be behind the teller window, at the checkout counter, at the sale barn pens, or serving your meal.