The Rural Voice, 2002-09, Page 8PRICE, SERVICE
& SATISFACTION
2000 DODGE CARAVAN
V6, auto, PW, PL, tilt, cruise,
air, 7 passenger, 63,000 kms.
2 in -stock. $17,900
Diesel
4x4
1999 DODGE RAM 2500
QUAD CAB
Cummins diesel, auto, cruise,
sport pkg., loaded, PW, PL, tilt,
air, 2 tone, long box, 140,000
kms. $31,900
2001 DODGE DURANGO SLT
V8, auto, 4x4, 7 passenger with
leather, rear heat and air, PW,
PL, tilt, cruise, running boards,
hood deflector, fog lights,
keyless, power seat.
$33,900
2000 DODGE DAKOTA
CLUB CAB SPORT MODEL
V6, auto, boards, liner, alloy
wheels, sharp truck.
98,900
HANOVER CHRYSLER
DODGE JEEP
664 -10th St.,
Hanover
1-866-788-8886
0
CHRYSLER
Dodge
Jeep
Phone: (519) 364-3570
THE RURAL VOICE
Carol Riemer
So long summer
Carol Riemer
is a freelance
Irriter who
lives with her
husband and
two
children near
Grand
Valley,
Ontario.
As the last days of summer slowly
draw to a close, I feel a sudden urge
to go for a quick swim, pack a picnic
lunch, or simply sit out on the deck
and engage in some serious, last-
minute daydreaming. Where did the
time go?
According to the calendar,
summer will be with us for another
few weeks yet, but the approaching
signs of autumn leave little doubt of
the change that's about to come.
I stop to watch a flock of Canada
Geese, as they head back to the
marsh, vaguely aware of the cool
evening breeze. Striking silhouettes
against the setting sun, their loud,
shrill calls echo sharply across the
silent fields.
As early morning dawns, I'm
awakened by the unmistakable
sounds of activity, spurred on by
what can only be the distant drums of
fall. There are chores
to be done, firewood to be split and
stacked, and gardens to be tended.
At this time of year, it's usually
safe to say that summer is almost
over when the leaves on the older
maples first begin to change colour,
and the jays return to the feeder with
their insistent cries for more
sunflower seeds. There's always a
hint of fall in the air when a leisurely
stroll through the farmers' market on
a Saturday morning leaves me
craving more sweet corn, another
blueberry pie, a basket of fresh
peaches, plums or tart early fall
apples. I can sense a flurry of
renewed activity, as local
artisans offer their unique creations
of pottery, woodworking and
weaving.
It's a busy time when friends and
neighbours get together to attend the
fall fair,_ ploughing matches, and a
host of autumn festivals. What makes
these celebrations so special is that
they focus on country life as it is
today, while reminding us of the
achievements of the past. It's
encouraging to see several
generations returning, year after year.
to volunteer their time and effort,
ensuring that these events are not
only a success, but a credit to the
community.
While it's true that fall wears
many faces, the onset of the school
year is, for me, the one that comes
most readily to mind. Soon, the first
yellow school buses will be tracing
their way along endless concession
lines, picking up freshly scrubbed
kids, anxious, after a long summer
break, to see their friends. Once
again, kids will be trooping off to
school with new back packs, and
wearing running shoes a full size
larger than last year.
When the days grow cool, and the
nights even cooler, I'm sure to reach
for my jacket, as I go out for another
basket of kindling. The school bus
will join hay wagons and tractors
along the road, and the scent of
firewood will fill the chilly night air.
That's when you'll find me searching
for the comforters and flannelette
sheets. Weekends, once spent
swimming and working in the garden,
will be taken up with picking apples,
stacking firewood in the shed, and
raking leaves.
The endless days of summer may
soon disappear, but somehow, they
manage to stay with us forever. They
keep us going through the toughest
winters, and when the warmth of the
season finally does return, we never
want to say goodbye. But, it's a
season that's far too short for long
goodbyes. This year, I plan to keep it
simple. No drawn out farewells. No
tearful parting scenes. Instead, I'm
just simply going to say so long
summer. Thanks for the memories.0
Thinking ahead
to Christmas shopping?
Think books from
The Rural Reading Room
(See page 49)