A few random thoughts...

A few random thoughts this week:

•I could have sworn I was invited to cover an assignment last Friday night.

Thanks to my friend and co-worker Laura D’Alessandro, my brother Brian and a bunch of other wellmeaning folks, I ended up walking into a surprise 50th birthday party. The winter storm that hit the area Friday night kept a few people away, but I thank them also as I know it was only the weather that kept them from attending.

As of 6:30 p.m. that night, I texted Laura to see if the “assignment” was still on. I was told it was a group from her church coming to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission to make a donation and have a question-andanswer period with president Tim McAllister. She said it was.

When I got there and saw a “Happy 50th Birthday” banner on the door, I knew something was afoot. It caught me totally off-guard and words can’t express how thankful and appreciative I was for the gesture.

I am also thankful for the social media shoutouts and in-person handshakes I have received since then.

For the record, my actual birthday isn’t until March 13. While I’m not clamouring for additional attention, I just wanted to give people a headsup in case they see it pop up on their Facebook feeds. To keep it a surprise, the party was held in advance so I wouldn’t want people to think I’m milking it and trying to turn it into an extended birthday celebration.

•The debate around Open Air Weekends should be coming to a close soon. A report is due back to council on options on how to present the event and if any changes will be implemented. It is a divisive debate with some strongly advocating for it to continue as it is while others would like to see changes made.

I have heard both sides of the argument but I am hopeful whatever decision is made by town council, it is the one they stick with for a while.

That’s not to say other issues might not need a resolution in future years, but the format of Open Air should be something that doesn’t become a yearly hot button issue.

Make a decision, stick with the