By Dan Hayes
Columnist | Posted: Thursday, January 3, 2008 12:00 am
So here we are, almost halfway through the first week of a new year.
We are now entering into the final stages for the start of a primary season and the rhetoric is flowing like late-winter molasses in a New England state.
The quiet of a winter encourages reflection and soul searching with many "seekers" striving to do better in the forthcoming year.
The year 2007 is one for the history books. Many births occurred as did many deaths. New jobs were started, old jobs were lost, and for a lucky few, well-deserved retirements have begun.
But with a new year comes the possibilities. Winston Churchill noted that "Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential."
What better way to start 2008 than to stay the course at that which is good and helpful and begin to maintain an effort to stop that which locks our potential.
There is a riddle that states, "Four frogs are sitting on a log. One decides to jump. How many are left?"
The obvious answer is "three." However, deciding to do something is not the same as actually doing it.
And speaking for myself, there have been many things I have decided to do and there is a much smaller number of things I have actually followed through and done.
I shudder to think of the money I could have made if I had pursued some of my half-brained ideas. Conversely, I am thankful I left many of my thoughts in my head as the repercussions of my following through might have been disastrous.
The good news is that those I have followed through on have typically been useful, helpful and successful - and in many cases are still continuing.
Such is the truth, I guess, in the words spoken by Churchill.
Volunteers needed
One success that continues to this day is the Hoskins-Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection Department.
For going on 30-plus years, this local service has provided aid in times of medical and fire emergencies to neighbors by neighbors.
The department has seen troughs of low volunteerism; it has likewise seen peaks of involvement.
In most cases volunteerism peaks when there is a "call to arms" as a result of a community-wide perception that something needs to be done.
Sadly, 2008 begins in a trough and I can only restate what an amazing year and beyond it would be if everyone, in their own way and their own time, found the means to give a bit of their own unique skills and interest to help this "expected" service, which has saved both lives and homes over the years.
For more information on how you might be part of this tradition, contact Chief Dave Evans at 929-2907.
On that note, congratulations are in order to Hoskins Kings Valley's newest fire board member, Ted Baker, who has agreed to fill the vacant position created when Don Dorman retired.
Opportunity
In the matter of filling voids, here is a "call to arms" to mark your calendars for Jan. 26.
There will be a fundraiser garage sale, book donation and exchange, and bake sale that day for the Kings Valley Community Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kings Valley Area Association president Carol Shifley encourages all to "come sell, come buy!"
Along with cleaning out your closets and sheds to make more room, this will be an additional opportunity to enjoy good music, good food and good neighbors.
Call Shifley at 929-6873 to reserve your own 8-by-8 space for $10.
Words to consider
No one knows what the future will bring, and in some cases it is because of the unknowns that the greatest blessings are found.
While there is truth in accepting whatever befalls, as a former Boy Scout I also believe in being prepared.
Helen Keller noted, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."
Powerful words to reflect upon and words on which to take action.
Dan Hayes reports on news in the Hoskins-Kings Valley community and can be reached at 929-2356 or travelor54@peak.org.