by Alan B. Gibson

Congrats to our senior athletes

Kinda hard to believe that this 2010-11 school year is coming to a close this week, but it is and with that, my annual note to our graduating seniors who have also been involved in the various athletic programs at Clinton County High School.

Come Friday night, when you walk across that stage and receive your diploma, you not only change from student to graduate, but you also join the ranks of “alumni” and with that comes some added responsibility.

First of all, at some time this week, during all of the rush and pre-graduation duties, take a few moments to give a sincere “thank-you” to your parents or guardians who went the extra mile for the past decade to make sure you had the necessary paperwork to get into those little league programs and had a ride home from middle school practice and even varsity games, so you could participate in these extra-curricular activities.

As I mentioned earlier, you might no longer be a student, now that you have graduated, but you are now an alumni. Remember those folks on the sidelines and in the stands during the games you performed in were fans, and while many were parents of players, many, many others were there supporting you and our teams because they themselves were on the floor, field or court.

Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog. Come back out as often as possible and support those who will follow you.

As you head out into the next stage of your life, no longer as youth, but now as young adults, cherish your high school years, and especially the lessons you’ve learned from being a part of one or more of these athletic teams. You will be surprised how many times you’ll come to rely on the things you learned in your experiences as an athlete.

Finally, reach around and give yourself a big pat on the back. You not only made it through this level of your education, but you did so while taking on the extra activities that are involved in being a part of the C.C.H.S. athletic experience.

Again, congratulations to the Class of 2011.

Holiday arrival marks the start of tourism season – watch out

The temperatures are finally rising, the water is high and with the arrival of Memorial Day this weekend means our roads and waterways – Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake – will be busy with a host of visitors for the next few months.

These folks travel to Albany and Clinton County from all over to enjoy the beauty that we often take for granted, and we should welcome them with open arms. They may talk with a funny accent, and their driving habits are certainly nothing like what we are used to – on land or water – but believe me, they think our speech and driving habits are just as strange.

Most importantly for our local economy – they come with pockets full of money, and hopefully they leave most of it here when their vacation time comes to an end. That means jobs and a stronger economy. For that reason alone – welcome them.

Shucks, if you see one sitting on the side of the road studying a map – stop and offer some assistance. I do several times every summer, and I’ve yet to encounter a tourist that didn’t appreciate some assistance from a local who knew how to find Grider Hill Dock, Seventy-Six Falls or Wisdom Dock.

Most importantly – give yourself a little extra time and a little extra space on the roads and water for the next few months. Make it a safe summer and remember . . .

Let’s be careful out there!