Courtesies

I was very proud of our town last week. We had top notch stars come for Bushwhacker Days. We had a great performance on the stage at the Fox Theater. We had enactments on and off the Square, and of course the Bushwhacker Quilt Show at the community center, the antique cars and tractors on the streets around the Square, and the story teller, carnival, kids rides etc., etc., etc. For a town of our size, we did very well. Actually we did well for a town of any size, because many people worked together to make it work. The cooperation with different businesses, agencies, authorities and volunteers was exceptional. But I couldn't help noticing the lack of courtesy from some participants.

We went to the CCPA production on Friday night. We wanted to come early, find a parking place, grab a bite to eat and get to the theater early since I had a hitch in my get-along because of a torn muscle in my left leg. I wouldn't have been able to walk very far comfortably so we planned ahead. We were lucky. There was a parking spot right in front of what used to be Mr. Clinton's Beauty Shop. We couldn't believe our luck.

We walked across the street to Hardee's to eat a leisurely supper while we were waiting for showtime. Our table was on the east side of the restaurant so we could amuse ourselves by watching the crowd gathering for the shows on the Square or going to the carnival rides.

We began to notice people pulling into Hardee's lot, getting their lawn chairs out of their trunks and walking up to the Square. They didn't even come in to buy a drink, but just went on to the Square. They parked right under the sign that says that the lot is for Hardee's customers only and violator's cars will be removed at the owner's expense. However, the personnel at Hardee's was making no move to follow through on the threat.

As we ate we watched the parking lot fill up until there was not a single open place for a customer to park. We noticed one car that came through looking for a spot and then went on somewhere else. He might have also been just looking for free parking and not have been a customer at all however.

One foursome came from the Square with wrapped barbecue from the grills up on the Square. They got into their car in the Hardee's lot and drove away. Perhaps they had intended to eat at Hardee's until they saw what was going on up on the Square. They did have a Kansas license plate so maybe they were just passing through and were taking advantage of our Bushwhacker Days.

Soon we began to notice another happening. People came from the Square to Hardee's and walked in to use the restrooms, then left to go back to the Square. In spite of the line of Porta Potties, they evidently preferred the ones at the business. None of them came on in to buy a drink or a sandwich but just returned to the entertainment.

The final discourtesy we noticed from our vantage spot was some young people coming from the Square eating purchased treats and then throwing their waste paper on the ground in the Hardee's lot.

I hoped that maybe some people stopped in for a purchase when they returned to their cars. By then we were comfortably seated in the theater and couldn't see how long the cars remained illegally parked so we don't know if there was any such payment made.

In the hour that we lingered over our supper there were only three other groups in the restaurant that seemed to be heading to some of the activities up the block. Let's hope that on Saturday there were more customers who perhaps made up for the dozens who were taking advantage of the business on Friday night.

Bushwhacker Days is good for our town. It brings in lots of money, but it shouldn't be a burden on our local stores. I would like to publicly thank all of the businesses who have been disadvantaged during these fun days for their patience. We need and appreciate each of you.