COMMUNITY

Wakulla Station News

By VERNA BROCK

By the time you read this, Halloween will have come and gone, along with All Saints Day. I hope children of all ages have/had a great evening of trick or treating in the personas of their choice. I remember the costumes of my own childhood 50-plus years ago. There was something unforgettable about the plastic masks that barely held together to the end of the festivities. They were swelteringly hot, with peep-holes that never actually lined up with actual eye sockets. But every kid in the neighborhood spent weeks planning what costume they would wear, discussing all the pros and cons of being Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman or Deputy Dawg.
Sometimes we would find ourselves creating our own costumes...hobos, clowns, pioneers, ghosts and witches, cowboys and cowgirls...anything we could cobble together when parents ran out of time or money. I once wore an old blue pillowcase, cut up to resemble Wilma Flintstones’ ensemble, in the second grade. I made a pretty convincing Wilma, I must say!
Honestly, I really don’t think times have changed all that much. Who doesn’t look forward to dressing up as someone entirely different and racing through the neighborhood laughing and demanding treats? As a parent, and now as a grandparent, it still seems like an innocent celebration of childhood joy. I hope everyone got to share in the excitement this year.
I had the privilege of visiting the St. Marks Lighthouse last Friday, with Sue Austin and her mother, Mary Jane Thornton. We spent a couple of hours enjoying the peace and quiet of the refuge, looking for scarce Monarch butterflies. We probably spotted less than 20, as well as some skippers and a gorgeous Osprey perched in a pine tree near the lighthouse.
Finding ourselves in need of sustenance and refreshment, we repaired to the Riverside Cafe. The food was fresh and hot, the Coca-Colas quenched our thirst, and we got to see our old friend (and proprietor), Stan West. The ever-present, always clever grackles took advantage of every crumb and morsel left behind, snatching stray French fries left unattended for even a moment. Their bright black eyes seemed to shine with intelligence, and I swear you could see the wheels turning.
 Following lunch we took a tour of the Old Fort Museum and the little town, and marvelled at how St. Marks has grown. I encourage the reader to visit, if you haven’t been there in a while.
Try to catch a performance of “Grease” if you get a chance. It looks like it’s going to be an outstanding show, and I can’t wait to see it!
As always, your prayers are coveted for those who are suffering loss, illness, violence, and disaster. There seems to be a never ending supply of these things, but there are also many things for which we can be grateful. The beauty of God’s creation, the love of friends and family, and so many simple pleasures at our fingertips everyday.