Look at those happy faces. The school bell rang for their summer vacation. Look at those smiling faces! This is what a happy kid looks like. Turn the pages back and try to remember those days.

School is out, summer is here and people come out of the houses after a long winter’s nap. Yes my friends, the lazy, hazy good old days of summer are back. Warm weather opens the doors to more traffic and I’m talking about the traffic in our cities. More automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, joggers, walkers and kids playing. If you are driving a car, slow down and crawl like a baby. If you are a pedestrian, be extra careful when crossing the street.

Some drivers are new behind the wheel and may have been just riding their bicycle a year ago. Some TV commercials show you how fast a car can go. Sure looks great but we are not testing cars on Main Street U.S.A. My question to all drivers is this, “Could you stop your car when that little kid runs out in front of you to get his ball?” I hope and pray that the answer is yes.

Take another look at these happy kids again. Why not? Hey! The school bell rang and they are on summer vacation.

Some readers might remember a hit song that Frank Sinatra made famous back in the 1970’s. It was called, “Summer Winds.” Part of the that song said, “Will I see you in September or lose you to the Summer Winds?” Please drive carefully my friends because we want to see those happy kids back in September. The Summer Winds will come and go but we want our kids to come back and stay with us. Have a Happy and Safe Summer.

– Thomas Francis Clark