And Homecoming
Here is a wrap-up of what is / was going on.
Glad I walked. One thing no one told me about. If you get there after 1, you may have to park a few blocks away, no joke! I decided go due to one, main, factor: Nature gave us an unusually perfect day with weather. In the 80's, a few clouds in the sky, little threat of rain. I confirmed this with some people I talked to. "Either it rains or it's too hot" is the response I got every time. So with great weather, I wanted to find out if everything my source said was true. Yes, that person surprised me with food tickets when I arrived. No, it is not going to affect this article.
I walked around a little to find out where everything was and get an overall feel for the picnic. First stop: Pierogies! I had to find out if they lived up to what I was told. Yes, they did! For $2.00 you had 3 large, handmade, homestyle pierogies. Sorry on this one, had to get a beer. Believe me, not a beer drinker. After the pierogies and a root beer on tap (excellent). Next stop, footlong hotdog! Average, not the best or worst. 3 butterscotch chip cookies followed. By now, I was seriously reconsidering any more food. After being intelligent and asking a few people what else to try: Steak Sandwiches. Unlike a standard steak sandwich (meat is chopped), St. Peter's does it differently. They use ground meat, not my favorite. It appealed to a lot of people going by the line. The food ranged from average (hot dogs) to excellent (pierogies and home made baked goods). Now that you are very hungry, time for the overall feel / atmosphere.
I was told the church picnic is also a homecoming. People who grew up with it, my friend included, come from out of state to be there. I guess that is true. Walking around, I saw people from all age groups saying hi. Giving hugs. Catching up. Re-living old memories. Yeah, I did run into my old friend. I knew him from years ago, living in a different area. I asked him if this felt like a homecoming. His response: "To a point. Too many years and changes have happened. I did run into a few people I have not seen in years. Everyone has their own life." I could tell by the look in his eyes, maybe it felt like more of a homecoming than he cared to admit.
For this journalist? I almost bailed out due to Musikfest. After doing the interview, nature giving a perfect day instead of rain and my father suggesting I give you the experience. Glad I went. I was there 2 hours longer than planned. I could not tell through observations; but feel the homecoming part. How people of all ages felt like they had come back to the place where they grew up and home. Through my friend's eyes, I could almost see how it was when he grew up there.
I am very thankful for having the chance to share the experience with you. Thankful to have made the choice to stop by and check out the food and fun. Almost taking a much needed break in a small town for a while.
Hopefully, you enjoyed the interview, live update on "In the Moment", this article and photos / video. If you missed it this year, at least you have a good idea of why to include it in next year's plans. This is the perfect break and change of pace from Musikfest.
Glad I walked. One thing no one told me about. If you get there after 1, you may have to park a few blocks away, no joke! I decided go due to one, main, factor: Nature gave us an unusually perfect day with weather. In the 80's, a few clouds in the sky, little threat of rain. I confirmed this with some people I talked to. "Either it rains or it's too hot" is the response I got every time. So with great weather, I wanted to find out if everything my source said was true. Yes, that person surprised me with food tickets when I arrived. No, it is not going to affect this article.
I walked around a little to find out where everything was and get an overall feel for the picnic. First stop: Pierogies! I had to find out if they lived up to what I was told. Yes, they did! For $2.00 you had 3 large, handmade, homestyle pierogies. Sorry on this one, had to get a beer. Believe me, not a beer drinker. After the pierogies and a root beer on tap (excellent). Next stop, footlong hotdog! Average, not the best or worst. 3 butterscotch chip cookies followed. By now, I was seriously reconsidering any more food. After being intelligent and asking a few people what else to try: Steak Sandwiches. Unlike a standard steak sandwich (meat is chopped), St. Peter's does it differently. They use ground meat, not my favorite. It appealed to a lot of people going by the line. The food ranged from average (hot dogs) to excellent (pierogies and home made baked goods). Now that you are very hungry, time for the overall feel / atmosphere.
I was told the church picnic is also a homecoming. People who grew up with it, my friend included, come from out of state to be there. I guess that is true. Walking around, I saw people from all age groups saying hi. Giving hugs. Catching up. Re-living old memories. Yeah, I did run into my old friend. I knew him from years ago, living in a different area. I asked him if this felt like a homecoming. His response: "To a point. Too many years and changes have happened. I did run into a few people I have not seen in years. Everyone has their own life." I could tell by the look in his eyes, maybe it felt like more of a homecoming than he cared to admit.
For this journalist? I almost bailed out due to Musikfest. After doing the interview, nature giving a perfect day instead of rain and my father suggesting I give you the experience. Glad I went. I was there 2 hours longer than planned. I could not tell through observations; but feel the homecoming part. How people of all ages felt like they had come back to the place where they grew up and home. Through my friend's eyes, I could almost see how it was when he grew up there.
I am very thankful for having the chance to share the experience with you. Thankful to have made the choice to stop by and check out the food and fun. Almost taking a much needed break in a small town for a while.
Hopefully, you enjoyed the interview, live update on "In the Moment", this article and photos / video. If you missed it this year, at least you have a good idea of why to include it in next year's plans. This is the perfect break and change of pace from Musikfest.
