Wheels, Neighbors, Locals
Where do they come from?
It’s hard to remember. Hard to even imagine for many. But, there was a time when most people didn’t have a cellphone with international accessibility and unlimited data. No Safari. No Google. No text messaging. No FaceTime. My daughter Meegan was 4 or 5 years old when one routine morning she was in the room as I was watching the news. A platoon of US Army soldiers were given some airtime on a major network to simply say hi to loved ones at home. The background was that they’d all been gifted just a couple of minutes to call home after executing a significant mission in Afghanistan. These soldiers all gave their phone time to one of their own so that he could speak to his wife throughout her delivery of their first child. Selflessly, collectively, brotherly. The reporter ended the story with the rhetorical question, “where do young men like this come from?” I hadn’t realized that Meegs was paying any attention to the TV when she piped up ...
“That’s easy!”
“What’s easy, baby?”
“I know where those young men come from!”
“Where are they from, Meegs?”
“They come from small towns just like this one. Like (neighbor) Christopher and (cousins) Matt and Ty. Heroes come from towns just like this!”
This is exactly why today Meegan is doing research science at Harvard Medical Center. She’s intuitive as heck.
I think of this conversation often. I thought of it late last Sunday evening when I saw Kyle Donnan driving his tractor down Jockey Street after helping Rick Smith get his hay in before the eminent downpour. I can’t even imagine the number of times these farming families have extended themselves to help a neighbor. It’s part of why they’re still here generation after generation.
I thought of that same morning with Meegan a few summers back when I needed help setting a 24 foot 10”x 12” beam (milled by my friend/neighbor, Dave) in place over our patio stage. I’d ascertained a boom truck to lift it and swing it over the wall and I needed just a little help aligning and fastening the beast.
I peaked out at the bar and saw three friends and asked if they had 20 minutes the next day at 5:00. They each showed up with their sons, our soundman Aaron and his crew and within 90 minutes we’d not only set the beam in place but had also put up 22 rafters and all of the underlayment 1x10’s. I don’t know if things like this happen in all farm towns or not. They may or may not go down in suburbs or cities but when the day comes that I’m no longer flipping steak in this tiny town all week, these will be the pearls I miss the most..
Consider yourself warned. This one may get lengthy. More than a few people have asked why there’s been no Monday Mail
In a couple of weeks. Sometimes I lack the motivation, the time, the focus or just the vision to see what’s right in front of me and I just can’t get a sentence started. Sometimes it’s too hot, too cold, too busy, too quiet. Sometimes I just need a catalyst.
Enter three incredible men from right here in Galway.
The first is Kurt. Kurt’s on a mission to give away bikes. To ‘kids who need a bike’. Kurt has established a foundation in his wife Pam’s name to get bicycles into the homes of children in the greater Galway area who may not otherwise be able to purchase one for themselves. That’s it. That’s the criteria. It’s Pam’s dream. Kurt is working hand in hand with The Bike Barn and is feverishly seeking opportunities to gift bikes. We have one such bike in our dining area, as do other local eateries. We’re soliciting nominees. Kurt and Pam are incredibly kind and generous people and we’re thrilled to have a small part in this play. If you have a youngster in mind, please pass your suggestions forward. We have a bike to gift!
It must be a ‘wheel’ thing. The second story involving Galway men pushing us forward stars Shaun and Shamus Evans. I can never do their journey justice when I try to speak about it. Simply, it’s the single greatest display of love, dedication and persistence I’m aware of. Together these gentlemen have travelled countless miles, in races of various lengths, marathons, triathlons, ultramarathons. One summer they ran from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean together. The next they ran the length of the Mississippi together arriving in New Orleans. They’re still at it. All in the spirit of Awareness and Inclusion under the program Ainsley’s Angels. Shamus is ready for a new competition chair, or chariot. These things are not free. They are not even inexpensive. This team could use a little help. Here’s a link for more information and an opportunity to contribute. I personally don’t know of a better team to support. Check out Team Shamus' team fundraising page for Ainsley's Angels of America
Thanks, guys, for the examples and for the motivation. Kurt, Shaun, Shamus…a whole new level of hometown heroes.
Speaking of local…
For 49 years, 2 months and 2 days we at the Cock ‘n Bull have taken a degree of pride in being able say that we support other local organizations. Farms, breweries, distributors, tradesmen, merchants, banks… we always try to keep it as local as we can. People tend to notice and appreciate this and the reciprocation is evident and significant. The one thing that drives me nuts.. I cringe when I hear people refer to musicians as “ just some locals” or other similar descriptions. Consider this…every mega star, from Dave Matthews to Frank Sinatra to Springsteen to T Swift… somewhere, they’re ’just locals’. We are abundantly populated with talented artists in this area. Keith Pray proved it again here last weekend when he organized the first ever Galway Jazz Festival. Ten fantastic bands. All local. All beautiful. The North and South Dakotas, Angelina Valente, Drank the Gold all frequent this barn. All are excellent. All are just a bunch of locals! This week alone we get to play host to Keith’s Big Soul Ensemble (17 piece jazz band swinging on the patio tonight!) multi award winning Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys, Chris Carey and Tim Wechgelaer, Scott Hopkins and Joe Newberry, and international touring artist singer/songwriter Sean Rowe. Just an unbelievable lineup. And just a bunch of locals! I implore you to support them. Here? Absolutely. Also at the other great venues we have in this area. Live music is so incredibly important. Please get out there and embrace it. You can find details for all of these events on our website or the Events tab on our Facebook page.
