40 reasons to love the United States of America
What a country, right? As we celebrate America’s 244th birthday this week, let’s pause and list a few reasons to love America. Thanks to cable TV and YouTube, we can still enjoy Elvis, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Marshal Dillon and Hoss Cartwright, even though few people under 40 know who they are.
We have amazing first responders who respond directly to the situations the rest of us are trying to run away from.
We have news channels that lean to the left, and news channels that lean to the right. And we are not forced to watch any of them.
We have towns called Ducktown, Turtletown, Suck Creek, Gruetli-Laager, Orme, Hogjaw Valley, Rising Fawn, Talking Rock, Peavine, Nutbush, Bell Buckle, Rugby, Greenback, Bucksnort, Bugtussle, Flintstone, Burning Bush, Isabella, Box Springs, Rocky Face, Lick Skillet, Butts, Arab, Bartlebaugh, Beersheba Springs, and Scratch Ankle. I’ve been everywhere, man.
We have farmers’ markets with fresh, homegrown produce.
They still make Yoohoo, Nehi Grape, Zagnut bars, and Samoa Girl Scout Cookies.
We have the “Hot Now” sign at Krispy Kreme. We have an American original named Dolly Parton, who shares her good fortune.
We have Betty White, Tom Hanks, and Willie Nelson. Not long ago, Willie recorded a song called, “I’m Still Not Dead.” That’s his best title since “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”
We still have “The Price Is Right.” It’s TV comfort food.
We still have sweet tea, and Southern restaurants that consider macaroni and cheese to be a vegetable.
We still have waitresses that call old men “Sweetheart.” Or, at least that’s what I’ve heard.
Even with tablets, Kindles, and all the other items that are “better” than books, we still have great libraries.
A guy in Florida who was responsible for making millions of robo-calls, ripping off folks all over the nation, has been arrested and imprisoned. It’s a start!
We have weather forecasting technology that can usually tell us it’s going to rain five days in advance, and can usually give us a few minutes
Friday, July 3
American Legion Post 339 will host its third annual BBQ Rib Cookout on Friday, July 3. Each rack of ribs is $20 and may be picked up can be either at noon or at 4 p.m. the same afternoon at Teems & Teems Realty, 1520 N. Main Street, LaFayette. The past two years the tickets sold out well in advance so order yours today by contacting Chauncey Fowler at 423-242-5424 or Jack Spangler at 423-300-5558. All money raised by this cookout will assist in veterans assisting other veterans.
Saturday, July 4
Catoosa County will hold a July Fourth festival that will include live bands, children’s activities, food and fireworks. Catoosa Fireworks & Fun Festival will take place Saturday, July 4, at the Colonnade at Benton Place, 264 Catoosa Circle, which is accessible from Old Mill Road and Battlefield Parkway, with free parking available on site. A variety of entertainment including live music, food, games and children’s activities begins at 4 p.m. and will continue up to a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m. Crafts vendors inside the Colonnade will open their booths at 1 p.m. There is no admission fee, but food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors. Live performances by artists in four local bands will include Lakeside (bluegrass), Past to Present (pop and rock), Stop n’ Stare (country) and The Hullenders (gospel/inspirational). Children’s activities will include face painting, inflatable slides, crafting activities, hula-hoop contests and fun backyard games. Adult craft vendors include wood-working, hand-sewn items, jams and jellies, candles and more. The county invites members of area car clubs to showcase their vehicles with a cruise-in. The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard will also perform. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Commissioners may elect to scale back the festival’s activities. For the latest information, visit the Catoosa County Government Facebook page.
Wednesday, July 8
The Workforce Development Board and Youth Committee will hold its annual meeting for the purpose of consent agenda, youth committee minutes, fiscal notice on a tornado, right down to our street.
We have homegrown tomatoes, Georgia peaches, and Sugar Baby watermelons.
We have Caller ID.
We have texting. Yes, it can be annoying, but it’s a blessing when your children live far away. It sure beats long distance calls, doesn’t it?
We still have nice people at convenience stores who can give us verbal directions.
We have less painful dental procedures, thanks to that wonderful nitrous oxide that makes my toes tingle.
We have root beer floats, banana splits, and hot fudge cakes.
We have chocolate chip cookies. Not the ones you buy in packages at the store. The ones fresh out of the oven. I’ll have just one more. Then another.
We have postal employees and police officers who check on elderly residents.
We have great food labeling, with information on nutrition, calories, ingredients, and expiration dates. Not that many years ago, we had none of that information.
We have “Jeopardy.” Yeah, thirty-something years after I said it wouldn’t last. “It’s too hard,” I said. And thankfully, we still have Alex Trebek, who has been battling cancer in its deadliest form.
We have online, do-it-yourself income tax services that cost next-to-nothing. I said that wouldn’t last, either. Don’t you love it when I’m wrong?
We have robotic vacuum cleaners that work, sort of. I also see robotic lawn mowers. I’m glad we have them, but I hope I never need one. We have wheeled suitcases that really work. We still have toilet paper. For a while there, I was starting to wonder.
We have Honey Nut Cheerios, with banana flavored Almond Milk. Talk about a guilty pleasure!
We still have newspapers, and I hope you are thankful for that. I know I am.
And, we still have a free press that seeks truth, and holds those in power accountable. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But trust me: you don’t want the alternative.
David Carroll, a Chattanooga news anchor, is the author of “Volunteer Bama Dawg,” available on his website, ChattanoogaRadioTV.com. You may contact him at radiotv2020@yahoo.com, or 900 Whitehall Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405.