Kay Harris
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
Today is the day to Honor Thy Father, a day set aside for recognizing and appreciating all the things that fathers do for their children.
A lot is made nowadays of the lack of a father’s influence in a child’s life and how detrimental it can be to the child’s development, for both boys and girls. While it’s true that there are fathers, just as there are mothers, who don’t take responsibility for their children, it is also true that there are other men who can be as influential in a child’s life and serve as a father figure.
I’ve known any number of wonderful and incredible stepfathers who have raised children like they were their own, and have known many uncles, older brothers, and family friends who have stepped into the role of parent for children who need guidance. And there are any number of strong males that children meet throughout their lives, from coaches and teachers to pastors and physicians. All can have a positive effect on a child’s life and make a difference.
So today, whether or not you honor your own natural father or someone who provided a loving substitute influence in your life, thank those who have been a father or like a father to you. Take them to lunch, go to play golf or tennis, fix them dinner, take them fishing, or whatever else you think they might enjoy. The most important aspect of today is to make sure you let them know how much they mean to you and spend time with them. Time is the most precious of all gifts.
Business Roundup
I haven’t heard anything else about Family Dollar moving into the old Goody’s store, so I don’t know if that’s stalled somewhere along the way or not.
Cheddars is still looking to break ground in the next 30 days or so on their new location on Norman Drive by Wal-Mart.
The new Rhythm and Blues cafe downtown is open for lunch and dinner where the former Luna’s restaurant used to be.
Apparently the fate of the British pub on Baytree Road and whether or not they will stay open is undecided at this time. Hopefully they’ll decide to stick around, or if they don’t stay in the same place, maybe they’ll reopen somewhere else.
Speaking of British food, the Pasty Shop (not Pastry as some folks keep wanting to say) down in Lake Park that was featured in last month’s Scene magazine is doing well but has had to alter its hours some due to the owner’s health. I’ve had several readers ask me what’s going on with the restaurant, so I wanted to reassure them that yes, things are fine and they are still open for business.
Southern Lamp and Shade in Remerton is closing by the end of the month and selling off all the store’s inventory at a big discount apparently.
No more word on the rib shack, but as I told someone who asked this week, I’m finding a lot of companies issue “press releases” about expansions as a way to generate a potential franchisee willing to buy into the concept. Sneaky, huh.
I got to be a judge last week for the Creekside Idol contest at Creekside Tavern on Wednesday night. Not sure if they’ll let me come back or not, but the preliminaries continue this week with the grand finale on the 30th. It’s amazing how many excellent karaoke singers we have around here.
That’s about it for this week, but if there’s anything I missed, please let me know!
