I'm just saying . . . James Cook - Times Editor

By James Cook, Times Editor

I want to take some time this week to touch on a couple of issues and things dear to me, and then next week we’ll see what the wind blows in for me to discuss. So just bear with me.
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The fair has once again come and gone. There were plenty of activities for everyone and the weather was fairly nice for most of it. We got to see people proudly display their pets. Local artists, with the camera, the brush or with their “geen thumb”, held a showcase of their talents as well.
We saw some very talented young people this past week. The singing, the ability to play music, even the declamations should have been enough to make us all proud. The future looks bright around here, if we just can harness their energy and make it work for the betterment of our community.
The livestock farmers, goat farmers and let me not forget my favorite, chicken, were all on hand as well. It is nice to know we still have people who are still working the farms, of all types. That is what keeps America truly going – the farmers.
Of course, we dealt with a little rain on Parade Day. Not the first time it has happened, so we should have been prepared. The parade, though using a shorter route, was still nice. I loved many of the floats, in fact I loved them all. But I must say a congrats to the Powell Circuit Clerk’s Office (overall winner), the Clay City Elementary (school winner) and The Bowen First Church of God (church winner). I would be remiss if I did not say I thought the Parkway Florist float was awesome, I loved the hot air ballon; and the float by Bark and Bath Dog Grooming with the dogs which were dyed red and blue was great. The whole thing was great!
So to the Lion’s Club and everyone who helped, thanks for putting on another good show.
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If you read the front page this week, there are several stories that probably caught your eye. You know they caught mine and I will address those issues another time. But the story I am both happy we have and saddened at the same time is about Dr. David Gagnon closing his office.
As many of us know, he has cancer and has been fighting it rather well in recent years. In fact, he has outlived the expectations and has even increased his prognosis to be better for him. He is leaving now to take part in a trial study I suppose to help deal with his disease and I wish him all the best.
He has been my doctor for 25 years. I even had black hair the first time he treated me. He has seen me in good days and bad. He has helped me through illness and despite my not listening too well over the years, he continued to care about my health.
His demeanor and sense of humor was one that I grew to love dealing with. We’ve had some fun, usually at my expense, but it made life easier. I never dreaded going to his office, though the frequency has been more over the past 10 years than the first 15. I guess old age and not listening to him years ago has caught up to me. There were days you could tell he was having a rough day and maybe sometimes I didn’t complain about those aches or problem because they just weren’t that important, not when you watch him work on and continue to follow his oath.
Nevertheless, I am going to miss him. You see a family doctor is just that – family. Take care Doc and I know you don’t always agree with this column and I don’t always listen to your advice. But in life the only thing that matters is how did you touch those around you. You’ve done a pretty good job, so rest a while now but stay in touch because friends are hard to come by and you are a friend to many here.
I’m just saying . . .