Debra LaValley's Blog

Memorial Day Weekend: This weekend brings back many memories. Growing up when I was in Girl Scouts we would be marching in a parade in downtown Penacook. We would all be decked-out in our uniforms and it would either be raining or HOT HOT HOT! Penacook no longer has Memorial Day parade and who knows if there are any Girl Scouts left. I am sure there are because there are still Girl Scout cookies – but I can’t remember the last time I saw a Girl Scout or even a Brownie in uniform. Of course, in this day in age -their peers would most likely tease them terribly. I was a Girl Scout all the way up into Senior Girl Scout – but only stayed for one year. My mom was a Junior Girl Scout leader (and a Brownie leader one year) for many years too. I loved the camping the best and could go on and on about the fun and mischief during these camping trips. Good times! We learned a great deal as well. I haven’t camped (really camped aka in a tent) in a few years. Our family used to go to Orford, NH and stay at Jacob’s Brook campground on Memorial Day Weekend. It is in the woods and far from the maddening crowd. We really need to go back there again sometime soon. It was a more rustic campground – where you could walk the country dirt roads – see a waterfall and lots of wildlife. The view of the night sky was also wonderful since the lights of the city were miles and miles away. We will all be gathering at my sister’s house for a cookout tomorrow. That will be fun. I am sure some of us will walk to the small pond nearby to see if the big snapping turtle is still around. We will also talk about past Memorial Days, I am sure. So – enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend with friends and family. Stay safe and take a moment or two to remember those brave men and women who gave their lives for our country.