Banner County Notes: Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!

Good morning Banner County! Here is hoping to find you doing well, especially during these somewhat stressful times.

Daily, I think of how much worse the situation could be, and I am thankful. It seems like maybe soon at least a little bit of our county will be opening back up. I am skeptical as to whether that is good or not.

A whole lot of common sense seems to be key right now. I was in a store recently and noticed an elderly couple with masks, but they were not on. The lady had hers pulled to the side talking to her husband, and he had his covering his mouth but not his nose.

Hard to tell, but this may go on for awhile yet.School is still on line and I could not see an official date on the school calendar for when that is to end. Nothing so far on graduation either, just a little bit too soon.

I did see where there is a date set for a Community/School Prom 2020. Different schools are planning on June 6th at the Weborg Centre in Gering and this all is dependent on our health situation at the time.

Birthdays here this week include: Twila Griffiths, Kurt Baker, Joe Cross, Chrissy Olsen, Joan Sundin, Leigh McGowan, Charline Brown, Ryan May, Chet Cochran, Gregg Wurdeman, and Casey Adrian. Happy Happy Birthday! 

Anniversary couple of the week is Mr. & Mrs. Trey Mosby, congratulations!

The Scottsbluff Church of Christ is offering a Free sack lunch on Friday, May 1st beginning at 5:30 p.m. Their address is 1919 Avenue N.

Election Day is fast approaching and voting by mail is a great option this year. There is a ballot box on the East side of the front doors at the Banner County Courthouse for your convience, or you can stick the postage paid envelope in the mail.

I completely missed Earth Day. That is usually when our kids do a highway/town pick-up litter day. Humm.

Well, May Day is tomorrow, and for over hundreds of years this day has been celebrated in various ways, some of which are still with us today.

The Celts of the British Isles considered this day to be the most important day of the year. It was celebrated during the Beltane festival and May 1st was considered the day which divided the whole year. Half of the year was dark and half of the year was light, and May 1 symbolized the beginning of light, the return of life and fertility. When the Romans began to rule the British Isles, they eventually combined the Beltane festival with their own five day celebration which took place during the same time and was called the Floralia celebration. Think flowers.

The Maypole Dance also celebrated on the 1st of May has an unknown origin but can be traced back to medieval times. People would collect a tree or pole, decorate it with colorful ribbons and streamers and then dance around it. This particular tradition was discouraged by the Puritans so did not become quite so popular as some of the other traditions which become a part of our modern day May Day.

I can remember doing this at school one time when I was very young. I do remember making May Day baskets and taking them to my grandma and a few neighbors and friends. Knock, knock or ring-the-bell and run! That must have died out when I was pretty young, too. I know my kids have no idea what that is all about and my grands sure don’t! Remember if you got caught they had to kiss you, and that was not something you wanted.

Here is something that I found interesting. All of us more seasoned folks know what the term “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” is, right?

Well, I found out that that term was invented in 1923 by a radio officer named Frederick Mockford. He was challenged to come up with a simply code word that could be used as a distress signal. He used Mayday because it sounded like “m’aider” a shortened version of a French phrase which meant “come and help me.” Very good, don’t you think?

So, we have Mayday and May Day. Have a Happy one.

I read recently that the first positive case of COVID-19 in a child has been found in Scotts Bluff County. Stay safe, folks, and until next time take care.

Barb Cross is at 436-7152.