Give Thanks for Montpelier Jamboree

By Mary Wilson

I have a dear friend who has lived in Montpelier for more than 50 years (as have many of you). She was actually my mom’s best friend and when I moved back to town, mom’s friend group just absorbed me into their group. My mom is gone now, but her friends are still my friends. Anyway, I sat with this lovely lady to watch the Jamboree parade on Saturday. This friend is over 90, very mobility challenged, can’t see hardly anything and sometimes gets confused.

But as we were sitting in her garage visiting after the parade, I was struck by what she said. She told me that she thought the parade was just so wonderful and that Jamboree had been such a fun time this year. Now, I know for a fact that the only thing she attended was the parade and a few folks had brought her some fair food. But she actually never went downtown herself. All those thoughts went through my head in the split second after she spoke. Then I was convicted that I needed to fix my own attitude.

Here is a lady who didn’t get to attend much and couldn’t see what she was able to attend, but she just had complimentary things to say. How often do I whine about something I don’t like, without thinking about the good things? We all need to be more like my friend. So, give thanks!

Thank you to the Jamboree Committee, who work tirelessly year-round so we can spend 4 days being out and about and eating fair food. You guys put on a good show! There were so many food options that if you couldn’t find something you wanted, you eat too healthy! Though I didn’t have any kids with me, I thought the rides were plentiful. Montpelier is not the State Fair! And there were so many businesses that contributed to the armbands that there were ample buy one get one free opportunities.

Thank you to all the city workers who dealt with trash and cleaned up every night, helped to keep traffic flowing and made sure all the booths had whatever power they needed! Thank you to Mayor Neff and his staff for their behind the scenes work that helped to make everything run smoothly. Thank you to Police Chief Chris Snyder and all his officers who helped keep us all safe! And thank you to the Good Lord for his hand of protection over Montpelier.

So Montpelier residents, the next time you see someone that was associated with the Jamboree, give them your thanks! Be like my friend who looks for and finds the good in every situation!