1. Everyone deserves a warning:
If you live outside the Town limits, you pay a solid waste fee for a reason. Don’t bring your trash to town and look for the closest dumpster – someone else is paying for that dumpster.
If you live in town, we will pick up your trash. Don’t drive around looking for a dumpster – someone else is paying for that dumpster.)
In either case, do not put electrical components, apppliances or construction materials in municipal dump- sters.
Construction materials and other such items should be taken to the county landfill. In certain cases, if you are cleaning household items out of a residence or cleaning up trash out of your yard, give me a call or leave a message. I will call you back. The Town will try to help in those situations, so far as we can. Sometimes a minimum fee is required.
2. Another good reason to keep your dog in a pen or on a leash:
The weekend of May 7, on Second Avenue, a dog was killed by another dog. In this case, the dog that was killed was running loose. It went on to private property and came within reach of another dog that was secured in its own yard. Apparently, the other dog was not in the mood for company. Such an episode is never a pretty sight, and I understand that a neighbor who witnessed the attack is still upset about it. Please – if you have animals, take care of them and contain them at all times.
Last, but, not least:
3. Last item is Hats Off!
I was recently doing a funeral service for a family. Remembering a loved one and paying last respects is what a funeral service is largely about. The service was ready to start when a man – old enough to know better – came in with his hat on.
I was ready to remind him – when he sat down with the family.
This hat situation is becoming more commonplace every day and brings me to include this portion in this week’s Mayors Corner.
Since the people have allowed me this bandwagon for 37 more months, I may as well use it:
The Who-What-When-Where of the Hat. I’m showing my age now. But, that’s okay.
Anyone old enough to remember the TV programs of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Lone Ranger would know that in those days even the cowpoke and the roughneck who came into town on the weekend knew enough to remove his hat at certain times. Even cowboys knew something about Hat Etiquette.
As a kid, I did not understand the “why,” but, if I forgot to remove my cap at a certain “where,” I knew “what” would happen.
Someone would remind me. Apparently, nobody reminds anybody, any more.
Knowing when to remove a hat is as important as wearing the right hat for the occasion. If you were a medieval knight who failed to remove his helmet or lift his visor and identify himself, the consequences could be fatal. Throughout history removing a hat was a gesture of respect. In the “old days,” men took off their hats in churches, when they entered someone’s home, and always in the presence of a lady. Ladies were entirely exempt from “hat rules,” wearing them whenever and wherever they wished.
Cancer patients (for example) are exempt from hat rules. They may keep their hats or caps on at all times if they wish.
In today’s culture, ladies and respect may be harder to find, but, removing ones hat remains a sign of respect. Here’s when it’s fine to wear your hat and when it’s not:
Men – The hat can stay on: outdoors, at athletic events (indoors or out), on public transportation, in Cafes, department and clothing stores, or hanging out in a friend’s apartment.
The hat should come off: in a job interview or in a business meeting.
Take hats off, including baseball caps …
· In someone’s home
· At mealtimes, at the table
· While being introduced, indoors or out (unless it’s frigid)
· In a house of worship or attending a funeral, unless a hat or head
covering is required
· Indoors at work, especially in an office – unless required for the
job
· In public buildings such as a school, library, courthouse or town
hall
· In restaurants (same as at the table).
· At a movie
· When the national anthem is played (stand and remove)
· When the flag of the United States passes by, as in a parade
Women – Fashion hats (not baseball-style caps) can be left on:
· In someone’s home
· At luncheons, weddings, garden parties
· At religious services
· At a movie or any indoor performance
· When the national anthem is played
· When the flag of the United States passes by, as in a parade
Hats Off to each of you,
The Old, Gray Mayor