Hey Matt
Weekly Update #237 8/4/2024 to 8/10/2024
“Hey, Matt, we're going to Arby’s” would come booming across the parking lot and bring a smile to my face. Before I wander down memory lane on this thought, though let me share some of my week serving as mayor of the best small town in America.
Did you happen to be one of the 32 teams that participated in Putting for Parks last week? No worries if not because I am sure Seymour Parks and Recreation will host the event again in 2025. Great work to the P&R team on another successful event raising funds for things like the rubberized flooring that they have been installing on the playground equipment in the parks. With over 70 sponsors and countless participants in the four years of the event, they have helped raise over $80,000 to improve our community parks. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this event a success over the years. Our parks are better because of you.
National Night Out is held annually on August 6th. For several years locally, it has been celebrated at Jamestown Apartments. They come together to enjoy a cookout and spend some time getting to know their neighbors. Seymour Police and Seymour Fire Departments participate along with many other area organizations for people to have a chance to chat. Thanks to the Jamestown team for your annual work with this event because it is always a good time.
Each summer we encourage our interns to share a project they would like to work on while they are with us. During the interview process Paul Bontrager shared that he had seen during volunteering that the summer was a slow time for food banks when it comes to donations. As one of his many tasks this summer we allowed him to organize the Canstruction event to raise canned goods for just that. He reached out to area churches encouraging them to participate via donations. He invited food banks to attend the event to pick up the donations after the event. He coordinated with the Seymour Area Farmer’s Market to host a train building contest with the donated food items. When it was all said and done our community came together to raise 2,111 items. Thank you, Paul, for caring for our community, and thank you to everyone who donated to make it happen.
Sometimes, we cross paths with someone who has that contagious smile and is a spirit you want to hang out with. Brad Nacio came into our lives via softball and even after our players had gone on to play on different teams, we could still pick up at the ballpark where it felt like we had never missed a minute. When I heard the news of Brad’s recent passing, the first thing I heard in my head was “Hey, Matt, we’re going to Arby’s!” I have no idea how this started, but I can still hear his booming voice coming across the parking lot at Ceraland letting me know where we could find him and the gang for lunch. From stories of his time as a hockey mascot or delivery stories about health foods, he always had a good story to tell and often a good audience to listen as he did. Today, I encourage you if you are possible to be that friend who is welcoming and embraces people into the group when they arrive. If that is not your personality at least be a smiling face who welcomes people in your day. Today, I will leave you with the words of Abraham Lincoln, "The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."