A look at Michael Jackson, RAGBRAI and the Fair
Michael Jackson was laid to rest last week, and was memorialized as someone who meant many different things to many different people: musician, benefactor, pop icon, inspiration, brother, and father.
While Jackon’s career evolved during my lifetime from childhood star of the Jackson Five to international superstar, I can’t really claim to have ever been a fan of his style of music.
What I will remember from Michael Jackson though is the impression he made on a much younger generation.
A couple friends of mine coach a 12-year-old girls softball team. Those friends relayed this conversation to me that occurred the day Jackson died:
Player A: “Hey everyone. Did you hear Michael Jackson died?”
Player B: “Is he that freaky looking white guy?”
Freaky looking white guy. That’s what Michael Jackson became to our youngest generation.
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My wife and I took The Boy to Omaha Sunday, as we walked around The Old Market and went to dinner there for my birthday.
It’s a lot of fun to take The Boy out in public, and I really enjoy watching the different reactions he gets from the different sexes.
Young and old alike, I’ve learned women love babies. Especially cute ones, as I believe The Boy is. They coo and fuss over him, remarking about this or that, and asking countless questions.
Men on the other hand, well, the reaction is a little different. They typically cast a glance his way, quickly avert their eyes, and scurry away. And if they have a girlfriend/young wife with them, they get even more uncomfortable if she starts doting on The Boy.
Two other firsts occurred last week with The Boy. On a positive note, he started holding his head up on his own, and on a negative, he threw a big enough fit that mom and dad had to pack him up and leave a restaurant with their food “to go.”
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It’s going to be a big week here in Red Oak starting with the Montgomery County Fair and ending with RAGBRAI.
County fairs are very important in rural communities, providing youth an opportunity to showcase their “critters,” as well as their various projects, ranging from woodworks to pies.
In a society rooted in agriculture, I’m not sure there is a more important event that will occur all year than one that encourages the next generation of farmers.
For no other reason, I can guarantee the Red Oak Express will do everything possible to give these kids the proper credit and recognition they deserve. We plan on including pictures and information on every winner in our post-fair tab this year.
It will be a big project for us, requiring a lot of time and effort, but no more so than the time and effort invested by the kids.
Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express. He can be emailed at publisher@redoakexpress.com.