Sick day doesn’t ruin Fair day for seniors
Published 11:50 am Thursday, February 21, 2008
One man’s determination and caring heart made it possible for Mill Creek seniors to experience a special summer treat.
Bill Durham, director of the Greater Mill Creek Senior’s program, had a driver call in sick the day seniors were expecting to go to the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe.
Without a driver to brave the miles and heavy traffic, the seniors probably wouldn’t have been able to go. Durham pitched in and saved the day, said Bernice Paddock, fair volunteer and member of the Mill Creek senior program.
“We had more fun coming down here this morning. Bill’s a nut, he’s always cracking jokes,” Paddock said.
Paddock, clothing and textile advisor, worked a 4-H booth at the fair on Aug 23. That was the day seniors received free admission at Monroe.
After her shift, Paddock said she wanted to slip over to the 4-H cat barn.
“I love cats. I only have two of them.”
Paddock enjoys the Mill Creek senior’s program because the trips often help elderly people get places where they normally wouldn’t drive.
Lorraine Jefferson, member of the Mill Creek senior program, said the trip from Mill Creek to Monroe might daunt some folks, herself included.
“I don’t think too many seniors like to drive that far and put up with all the traffic.”
“To have somebody else do the driving was a big plus for me and it was fun to go in a big group.”
Jefferson hasn’t been to a fair for nearly a decade.
“My husband was sick for a long time and then he passed away.”
Jefferson nearly forgot what a fair is like. This trip brought it all back.
“I loved it. I haven’t had that much fun since I was a kid. My favorite was the pig races. And the Aztec Indian Dancers.”
At one point in the show, the dancers invited viewers to join them.
“We danced with them,” Jefferson said.
“The dance was the high point of my day.”
The drum’s strong beat, the conch shell’s distinct, low, foghorn sound, and seeing many people from different backgrounds dancing together made a lasting impression, Jefferson said.
“The fair is a great slice of Americana.”
“People of all ages enjoy the fair,” she stated.
Donna Draper, Mill Creek senior program member, said the fair is an event she and her husband William look forward to every year.
The Drapers enjoyed visiting the 4-H programs, particularly the horse barn.
“We spent an awful lot of time in the horse area. The little 4-H kids are so friendly and proud of their hard work. “
It brought home childhood memories.
“I was in 4-H when I was a little kid in Minnesota,” Draper said.
“The 4-H program taught me life skills, to develop feelings for people and animals, to cook, sew, and can food.”
After visiting the 4-H barns, Draper said she and her husband just happened to sit down in a shady spot near the sponsor stage to rest her feet.
“I turned to my neighbor and asked, ‘Why are we sitting here and what are we waiting to see?’ I didn’t really look at the program,” Draper said.
“We were in for a big treat.”
“It was a harpist, Bronn Journey, and his wife, a beautiful soprano.”
“They were quite an attraction. There was standing room only.”
“My husband’s not too musically inclined and even he enjoyed it,” Draper said.
Bronn Journey strummed songs from the Sound of Music and pieces composed by Beethoven.
Draper was hoping to see Cisco Morris and the gardening program, but said the beautiful music made up for it.
“The harpist put the frosting on the cake.”
She appreciates the way Durham saved the day by driving.
“Parking at five dollars a shot is a little expensive and the fair is popular, so the driving would mean facing long lines and traffic.”
“We like to tease Bill. He has a terrific sense of humor. He’s a bright shining star in seniors’ eyes. He’s a very caring person.”
Durham was modest about taking time to drive the ten seniors to the fair.
“The show must go on,” said Durham. “Besides, all my life I’ve liked seniors.”
Lisa Weatherwax is a freelance writer for the Enterprise Newspapers, and a resident of Mays Pond.
