They're gone. We have our town back for a few days. It was a great Wagon Days celebration and a great parade, but aren't we glad it's over? Coming up are the Hemingway Festival, Halloween, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival and the Jazz Festival. Then that's it until the mountain opens at the end of November. By Nov. 1, everybody who can afford it will go away to the beaches. I'll be here with you getting ready for winter and praying for a "Native American Summer."
What did we miss these last few days of summer? Well, most of us missed the performance of "Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)," which played in the Sun Valley meadows for three nights and was regarded by those who did see it as one of the funniest productions in the history of theater in this town.
But, now, as everything has died down, you have the opportunity tonight and tomorrow night and Sunday night to see it indoors at the NexStage Theatre without the sun in your eyes in the first act and bitter coldness in your bones in the second act. Steve D'Smith, Matt Gorby and Will Hemmings are absolutely hilarious in their respective parts. Do yourself a favor and check this comedy out this weekend.
There were icicles in the "Spazebo" on Monday morning and valley visitors were few and far between, having headed toward Bellevue and points beyond. Snow was on the Boulder Mountains and the Clydesdales were on the road after being adored by everybody in the Wood River Valley.
There were a lot of old friends in town to listen to the jazz at the Casino after the parade Saturday. Speaking of old friends, my pal Paula Starr Barovetto is just north of Mexico getting treatments for cancer. Paula is a fighter and is giving it her best shot. She would love to hear from all of you between coffee enemas. Her address is Box 1850, Chula Vista, CA 91912 CHIPSA c/o Paula Starr.
Football started and B.S.U. won big: 49-7 over Idaho State on Saturday.
Redskins and Giants last night and then the first weekend of pro football begins. Gentlemen, start your pools!
There's a guy by the name of "Unavailable" who keeps leaving messages on my phone. What's his problem?
There was a fire down in Picabo that threatened the land of my friends the Purdys. I talked to Nick last Friday morning and he said the neighbors made all the difference in saving their fields. I'm glad they're all safe. Nobody defeats Bud Purdy.
Outside the valley are hurricanes and political conventions with an ex-beauty queen having been recently thrown into the mix. ("Into" is an interesting word as it has a totally different meaning than "in." For instance, you can pee in the pool or pee into the pool.) But, I digress. New Orleans was safe and the Republican Convention resumed.
Well, here's hoping things quiet down in the next few weeks. We all need a rest and a few good paychecks before the snows. Love the relatives but it's time for them to go. I took my extended family to the airport early on Monday morning. Their plane leaves tomorrow afternoon. I suppose I'll have to atone for that. But, anyway ...
Nice talking to you.
