I had planned to go to Methow to see the re-opening of the Methow Store and decided to attend the parade as well, but this morning, I didn’t feel like attending anything. I finished writing an article the day before and I just wanted to stay home and do my favorite hobby- read. A massage therapist once told me he got regular massages because his work is an act of giving, and he needed to replenish what he gave. I feel the same way about writing. I love reading but the act of producing content makes me want to read more. The circle has to be completed.
Being the 4th of July and being an online publication, I felt I had to attend the parade. I postponed it as much as I could. With 45 minutes to spare, I hit the road to Methow. I rushed, but I got there quicker than I thought. An elderly woman had warned me, “Don’t be late or you’ll miss the parade.”
I got there on time and met a couple from Malott. They want to start a parade there and came to Methow for inspiration. The man plows snow in Methow so he is familiar with the area.
A man who looked like Moses led the parade holding an American flag. Everyone called him “Pete.” The parade took 19 minutes. That’s not bad for a town a fraction of the size of Twisp, The Twisp parade took about 30 minutes. (I know because I saw people leaving the parade around 11:30.)
After the parade, there was a potluck and hot dogs sponsored by the Fire Department. Before the meal, one of the fire officials prayed and concluded with “in Jesus’ name.” It surprised me, because the first thing I thought about was the separation of church and state. This has been in the news recently with Louisiana passing a bill that requires a minimum sized 11″ x 14″ poster or framed document of the Ten Commandments in every school, including state universities, as a condition of state funding. The Oklahoma state superintendent just issued an order that the Bible should be taught in every classroom.
In an earlier life, these things would have shocked me, but then I thought about my recent investigation into the sex ed curriculum at LBHS. Let me make sure I understand, we’re okay with showing graphic material to middle school students and asking parents to talk with their children about slang for private body parts but we’re having an issue with the Bible?
I do not identify as a Christian, but there was something reassuring about reconnecting to Judeo-Christian roots. Isn’t that what the country was founded on?
For an introvert like me, the Methow 4th of July celebration was a welcome change from the bustle of Twisp. I know I would have seen many people in Twisp. I also know I would have been exhausted afterward. In Methow, casually conversing with locals over a picnic under the shade trees actually contributed to my rest. I think that was the first time that has happened.
Images of the festivities are in the slideshow below, but first check out the schedule for the grand re-opening of the Methow Store. The shelves aren’t fully stocked, but Shayne Naudi and Allen Giernet have done a wonderful job restoring the place. An article about them can be found here.













































