Summer 2019 – let the games begin

We may still have one “winter” to go, although Stump Winter may have intertwined with the recent Linsey Woolsey Britches Winter – or not, but in any event, the calendar says this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and that means that despite what the calendar says about the official arrival of Summer (June 21) the summer tourism season is now underway.

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tourism season and it traditionally runs through Labor Day, so this is my annual reminder to my “local” readers that from now until the first of September, things are going to be considerably busier on our highways and waterways.

We are inviting the rest of the world to Albany and Clinton County and to our lakes and countryside to enjoy what many of us take for granted, the most beautiful surroundings in the entire world.

While we may get antsy from time to time with the long lines, heavy traffic and those “northerners” who flock here for their summer vacations, I’m reminding everyone to show some southern hospitality when you get the chance, and just chill out. Have some patience.

Yes, when they are here, they do talk funny with that northern, twangy accent, and their driving habits leave a lot to be desired from time to time, but that pocket full of money they brought with them will mostly stay here when they all decide to go home.

Those tourism dollars are spent at our docks and marinas, at our gas pumps, our grocery stores, our restaurants, boat dealers and even from time to time, our health care providers. They fill our storage units with their water toys and many even purchase their insurance here and use our local mechanics to service those boats and personal watercraft.

They bring a lot of money to Albany and Clinton County, and they leave without most of it when their stay is over.

Those dollars are a tremendous boost to our economy – it provides jobs, both full time and part time, all across the county.

For the most part, they are in reality good folk, who just aren’t fortunate enough to get to live here year-round, and for that, we should be sympathetic and share our little piece of heaven on earth – at least through the summer months.

When you see a family on the side of the road trying to figure out that joke that the Kentucky Transportation Department has played on everyone here with the U.S. 127 and Ky. 90 junctions, pull over and give some directions.

If they are in need otherwise, offer assistance. Again, bring out that southern hospitality they have all heard about. Then, just as you send them on their way, be sure to invite them back.

With all of that said, the most important thing to remember is to give yourself a little extra room on the roads and on our two waterways, Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake.

Let’s try to get through this 2019 tourism season with as few emergencies and injuries as possible, and enjoy the summer on the lakes along with our visitors.

Bottom line – in the words that I have repeated here often this time of year, quoting the Hill Street Blues character Sergeant Phil Esterhaus as he closed out his roll call each morning . . .

“Let’s be careful out there!”

In the meantime – let’s take it outside for a few months!