LOST TRADITIONS

LAST YEAR'S TOWN OF RUSSELL GUN RAFFLE

VIEW TO WEST OVER VALLEY OF N. BRANCH OF PIKES CREEK

VIEW OF HILLS SOUTH OF HWY. K IN TOWN OF RUSSELL

VIEW TO WEST ON HWY. K, OVERLOOKING SAND RIVER VALLEY

Sunday, 9:00 AM.  36 degrees F, up from 33 earlier.  The wind is NW, variable and light.  The sky is partially overcast, the humidity is 90% and the barometer is steady, at 29.78".  Snow is predicted for tonight and tomorrow, and I am more or less ready for it, although it is too early to put the gardens to bed and the leaves still need to be mulched.  If we do have a taste of winter now, we should still have Indian summer to come.

   The peak of color may be past, but the countryside is still splendid and absent any violent weather should be beautiful for another two weeks.

   Now is when our small Northland communities normally have their harvest dinners, and there will still  be some in our region, but we have now lost two that were quite wonderful, iconic gatherings of our small towns and countryside.       Two years ago The Belanger Settlement,  a small, historic off-reservation Indian community located half-way between Bayfield and Cornucopia, ceased its thanksgiving dinner and fund raiser for its historical society, and this year there will be no Town of Russell harvest dinner, which supported, among other things, the local gun range and youth gun safety programs.  We always attended both, were always welcome even when when we were still strangers, and bought raffle tickets to support them.  With those two now gone, I don't think there are any others for us to attend locally.  And we will miss them.

   Communities change over time.  Old residents die or sell properties they can no longer keep up, and move away.  It is a natural process, with the hope of eventual renewal by younger residents.  Unfortunately,  older people who are mainstays of community traditions and activities also simply tire and wear out, and if younger folks don't step into their roles the traditions and activities die out.  At this point, others in The Settlement and Town of Russell communities haven't stepped into the supporting roles.  There are many reasons; family pressures, everyone working two jobs, whatever.  But the result is a real loss to the community.