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   Sometimes, with so much going on around us, we forget to recognize the many people who have done so much for the health and well-being of our community.

   Today, Jane and I were honored, and we felt it to our cores, for our small part in the success of this magical place we call home.

   To get there, a special shout—SHOUT—to Kay Blais for coming up with the idea of a playground, securing the equipment and getting it installed on property donated to the city by Pat and Maralyn Tabaka. They later sold the remainder of the park land so even more people could come and enjoy it.

   Alan and Sue Weaver, after the original ballfield went away, donated the land for the new ballfield. It is a beauty, thanks in very large part to Steve Johnson, who was the ramrod on that project.

   Rusty Lilyquist, now deceased, was tasked with the Stuart Park Pavilion. He thought BIG, and what we imagined turned out to be a monument to Rusty. It is beautiful.

   Have you noticed the downtown Christmas lights? We can all thank Judy Blundell for that. She’s a tiger, that lady.

   And now, a new generation of family has joined in the love of our city. Kim (Stuart) Hunnewell and Willard Hunnewell, along with Bill (Stuart) Schmoker and Cindy Schmoker, brought state-of-the-art pickleball courts to the park. Beautiful and busy, they are. They saw a need and filled it.

   That brings me back to today. Christina Herheim, bless her heart, took my phone calls and ran with the idea of having jumpers in Longville’s 4th of July parade. Job well done, again!

   Our nation’s 250th was a special event, as is life in Longville. Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has done so much to embellish this gem we call home, too. 

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