A Stroll in the Park

Here in Hutchinson Kansas we have a "Main Street Gathering Spot"... which is a mini park in the middle of downtown on Main street.  At the edge of Main street sits a pavilion where local bands set up to play music of all sorts from the start of spring til late fall... until the weather is too cold.  Surrounding the pavilion are grassy knolls with a man-made stream running down the center.

Joe and I typically head to our favorite Italian Bistro each Friday night to have "Date Night"... where we usually run into several local folks whom we chat and visit and/or share a beverage with.  It reminds me of "Cheers"... "where everyone knows your name" kinda of place.  Even on the nights that we don't run into anyone we know... it is still a very quaint place with wonderful food to spend our Date Night.

Last night after dinner, Joe and I decided to stroll along Main street and enjoy the heat of the night... it was still 98 degrees at 9:00pm!!!  As we approached the park, we saw a band setting up with several families and couples gathered to listen and enjoy on the grassy knolls the music of the night... they were sitting in folding chairs, lawn chairs, camping chairs, on the stone wall surrounding the park, sitting on blankets, lying on blankets and/or just sitting hinnie to grass on the grassy knoll.  The atmosphere was one of total relaxation and enjoyment.  There were old couples, young couples, newly dating couples, children, families, families who brought their children's friends with them.  There was soft chatting, group chatting, but mostly LOTS of laughter and giggling, and children running and giggling.  Talk about a page out of time... it was totally like a scene straight from Andy Griffith and Mayberry!

Joe and I sat on the concrete wall surrounding the park and just enjoyed 'people watching'.  My favorite was watching the children of all ages running and chasing each other, giggling as they dipped in and out of the water in the man-made stream, with parents watching carefully to make sure they didn't get hurt, but also delightfully enjoying the pure raw innocent fun their children were having.  There were two Hutchinson City policemen strolling around the edge of the park... stopping now and then to enjoy the music... one of them reminded me of my Grandfather.  My Grandfather used to own and run a Security Police business and was often one of the guards himself.  He truly was my most favorite person to watch last night, because it has been a long long time since he passed away, and since I have seen anyone who even remotely reminded me of him... Grandpa was a very special and unique character indeed!!!

I felt like I was actually in a Norman Rockwell painting last night or in an episode of Andy Griffith.  It was one of the most charming nights I have spent since the time when I was a child in my own small hometown of Jeffersontown Kentucky.

Joe and I will spend the rest of this 4th of July weekend strolling through downtown Main Street... watching the parades, watching the firework displays, people watching, and enjoying being a part of this lovely little town we now call home.  Wish you were here with us to see and enjoy the charm and innocence of days gone by... that haven't gone by at all...  because they are still here in Hutchinson Kansas!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY to all.... Be safe and have fun in this land of FREEDOM... The Good Ole USA!!!