KIM’S KORNER JUNE 2019

Calling all hands on deck — its Strawberry Festival time! What a busy time this is for all involved.  It starts several weeks prior to the date, which is June 14^th this year.   It will be on the Circle and at MHP from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. I love this time of year.  We see a lot of different faces and everyone is happy and smiling and how could you not be when strawberries are involved.  The Strawberry Festival is a well-oiled machine that has been happening for 34 years. We are very pleased to have everyone who comes out to help.  This is my third Strawberry Festival and I am still amazed how well everything and everyone works together.

We have such wonderful support from all of the community.  It starts with the Board of Works allowing us to have it on the circle every year and Street Department moving parking curbs and bringing in sand bags.  Marks Concrete is always gracious to donate their tents and set up them up in plenty of time for our preparations.  I remember plenty of years where the tents were vital due to rain or even for shade on the hot days. CGS and Advantage Tool Rental take care of chairs and tables.  Kroger is gracious and orders 900 lbs. of strawberries — yes I did say 900 lbs.  Can you believe that volunteers in Shelbyville and Fairland cut up and sugar 900 lbs? It takes many hands to ensure that they are cleaned, cut and sugared to be ready for shortcakes.  Speaking of cakes, it is amazing how many cakes show up at Shelby Senior Services on Thursday prior.

Many people put so much time into making cakes for this event.  The Stitchin’ Sisters are always there to show their support and great talents.  Girls Inc. girls are an integral part of cleaning the berries.  Bishopp’s Appliances ensures that strawberries stay nice and cold, along with Cork Liquors.  We have many volunteers who help set up and take down, such as Community Corrections, Advantage Shelby County students and Knauf.  Heritage House, MHP, Walker Place, Morristown Manor, Ashford Place, Aperion Care Waldron, McKay Manor, Culligan, Infinity Home Care, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, First Christian Church and Scott Ferguson all helped pitch in to help with various supplies.  We could never forget to thank Maurice Finkel for providing wonderful music during the festival with his calliope.  And I must thank The Shelbyville News and Giant FM WSVX for all the great advertising that they do for us on the Strawberry Festival and all year long.