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Back Fence continued. . . Past issues

At 1 p.m. at ArtSpace, there will be a history session with some of the City's old-timers --- people who have lived here all their lives. That should be interesting, and I am looking forward to listening to people's stories about the old days.

And, don't forget the poker walk. It starts at noon at the Bay City Library, and continues to 4 p.m. The walk will take you to all the sites in the City displaying historical photos of old Bay City.

On Sunday there will be an old-fashioned family picnic in the park. The Bay City United Methodist Church Choir will perform, starting at noon. Bring your own picnic basket and be prepared to enjoy the ice cream cones donated by the Creamery. Many of our local business have donated generously, and I will recognize them in the next issue of the Back Fence.

I look to see all of you there, and hope that everyone enjoys the Centennial as much as the committee has enjoyed organizing it for you. Let's live it up this weekend.

Last week I reported some concerns about community gardens by one of our citizens. Sadly, when that citizen was speaking, I had not taken notes, so I had most of his comments in my head. And these days, my head is getting more and more to resemble a sieve. (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy?)

I received some comments regarding my piece from that citizen and I would like to expand what I wrote last week to make for a clearer record.

He wrote: "Rest of the story is we have to be cognizant of all runoff including the streets that have no ditches! The new ruling about the Clean Water Act that will require a permit to "Log" could transpose to all streets everywhere! Just think: When our first rains happen in a few weeks, where is the oil, rubber, coolant, etc., that has accumulated on the roads going to go? You guessed right! Right smack dab into our Rivers ... !"

I also heard from Ed Ketzel as well. Ed started the garden at 16^th and Spruce, and he had some comments about non-food plants.

Ed wrote: "I don't think anyone realizes that restricting planting in the gardens to only edible or nutritious is barking up the wrong tree. There is a need for other plants and flowers for pest control, and water retention. They also help with pollinating. If the planning committee is making any code changes, and/or new ordinances, they might ask for input from the people doing the gardens."

I thank you both for your input. Reader input is always welcome.

And that's it. See you next week Over the Back Fence.

John Sollman



Over The Back Fence John R. Sollman, Editor and Publisher BAY CITY, August 31, 2010 --- It's going to happen. Come Saturday, we'll have a gala Centennial celebration. As I pointed out to Linda Vining the other day, we're at the point where it's going to happen in spite of anything we do. The weather prospects, as of today, look pretty good, but lots can change in the five days remaining before the event unfolds. Let's hope we actually get the sunshine we are being promised today. At our final Centennial planning meeting, Patti Watson reported that there would be 45 vendors, some selling food, occupying 53 spaces. Vendors will be on B Street, outside City Hall and the Fire Station. The street will be closed for the event, and some of the vendors will be located in the middle of it. Though most of the vendors will be on the street, there will be 11 vendors inside the Community Hall. Travelers downtown will note a large semi trailer, which will serve as a stage for the Biergarten (pardon the German spelling, but it just seems more natural that way). In the Biergarten, beer, wine and pop will be sold using scrip --- and only scrip. And, you'll enjoy he music of the Oyster Shooters. Tom Dotson, representing the Fire Department, said the firefighters would be selling burgers and hot dogs for a bargain price. For $5, he said, you get a burger or dog, potato salad, a cookie and some pop. And, he added, the items are also available ala carte. Sharon Stone said there were 23 entrants for the parade so far. Jack Scovell will be driving Hazel and Chuck Downie as Grand Marshals. The other Grand Marshals are Phyllis and Don Wustenberg, and I don't know who is driving them. There will be prizes for parade entrants, and someone is going to round up everyone in period dress to select the best dressed for award of a prize. Gretchen Power said she had only one entrant for the kids' parade, but that any kid who shows up for it gets to march. In a precursor to the formal Centennial, perhaps to get people in the mood, Pat Vining will conduct a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament at the Odd Fellows Hall Friday, September 3, starting at 7 p.m. The event officially gets underway at 10 a.m. with formation of parade units at 4^th and D Streets. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. and goes twice around town: north on 4^th Street to Main Street, East on Main to 5^th Street, south on 5^th Street to Hayes Oyster, west on Hayes Oyster to 4^th, thence once again around town.		Back Fence continued. . . Past issues At 1 p.m. at ArtSpace, there will be a history session with some of the City's old-timers --- people who have lived here all their lives. That should be interesting, and I am looking forward to listening to people's stories about the old days. And, don't forget the poker walk. It starts at noon at the Bay City Library, and continues to 4 p.m. The walk will take you to all the sites in the City displaying historical photos of old Bay City. On Sunday there will be an old-fashioned family picnic in the park. The Bay City United Methodist Church Choir will perform, starting at noon. Bring your own picnic basket and be prepared to enjoy the ice cream cones donated by the Creamery. Many of our local business have donated generously, and I will recognize them in the next issue of the Back Fence. I look to see all of you there, and hope that everyone enjoys the Centennial as much as the committee has enjoyed organizing it for you. Let's live it up this weekend. Last week I reported some concerns about community gardens by one of our citizens. Sadly, when that citizen was speaking, I had not taken notes, so I had most of his comments in my head. And these days, my head is getting more and more to resemble a sieve. (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy?) I received some comments regarding my piece from that citizen and I would like to expand what I wrote last week to make for a clearer record. He wrote: "Rest of the story is we have to be cognizant of all runoff including the streets that have no ditches! The new ruling about the Clean Water Act that will require a permit to "Log" could transpose to all streets everywhere! Just think: When our first rains happen in a few weeks, where is the oil, rubber, coolant, etc., that has accumulated on the roads going to go? You guessed right! Right smack dab into our Rivers ... !" I also heard from Ed Ketzel as well. Ed started the garden at 16^th and Spruce, and he had some comments about non-food plants. Ed wrote: "I don't think anyone realizes that restricting planting in the gardens to only edible or nutritious is barking up the wrong tree. There is a need for other plants and flowers for pest control, and water retention. They also help with pollinating. If the planning committee is making any code changes, and/or new ordinances, they might ask for input from the people doing the gardens." I thank you both for your input. Reader input is always welcome. And that's it. See you next week Over the Back Fence. John Sollman

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