Some moments take you back. Some transcend the years. Watching the fireworks on the grounds of Fort Meigs while listening to some mellow music was pictureperfect. A soft breeze, a pastal sunset and little kids running about --we all shuld have such evenings.

So often in this "bad news-obscessed" world we can forget that most of life is made up of gentle moments. As we celebrate all that it means to live in a free country, I count the blessing of an evening of fireworks displayed in a historic meadow. May we cherish this grand American experience.

When we heard Perrysburg was voted by Family Circle Magazine one of the seven best places in the U.S. to live, we said, "Told ya!" Playing on the fact that "a prophet is not recognized in his own town," we'd have to say a town is not necessarily appreciated by its own region.

Yet there is something---that ethereal "something" that happens when I drive over the bridge and approach P-burg. It's green, it's charming, it's got a quiet residential feel. Yet it's fun: Levis Commons, all kinds of art along the river, the 577 -- such a mixture of upbeat, engaging places.

Perrysburg has been described as "a vibrant town in the middle of everywhere." Nice description. I've written about the region on and off for 30 years and I still think NW Ohio as a whole has a lot going for it. Despite it's inferiority complex, the region is lush, has good folks, and promise...always lots of promise.

Raise a glass of Commodore Perry ale (find it at Stella's) and salute the dear old community. It's top 7 for sure!

OK, his music is legendary. His talent amazing. His demise really sad. All that talent and so much personal tragedy but pa-leese... how many more news stories, news shows, news items on Micahel Jackson?

Sorry, folks, news is devastation in Africa, it's the cauldron of the Middle East, it's bail-outs and buy outs and decisions in Congress which impact our lives and our children's lives. News is health initiatives, financial tips and what street we should avoid because of paving.

ET can devote entire shows to Michael. TV news can give me 2 to 3 minutes--that's actually a lot. Put the latest "breaking story" on the newspaper entertainment page, but come on...

Sorry for whining...enjoy the day and get to the Crosby Art Show this weekend!

Tell us in 20 words or less about your best friend(s) and win a Stay and Play at Levis Commons plus a slew of gift certificates. Entry form is on our homepage...do it!

20 winners will be named August 30.

Are you having summer fun? Get to the riverside..nothing is quite as tranquil. Rent a canoe in Grand Rapids, check out pottery in Genoa at Jan Pugh's. Stroll downtown Perrysburg or downtown Sylvania. Look at the furnishings at Betty Rumpf's in Ottawa Hills.

Happy Day.

It's always a surprise when we come to visit family in South Carolina that Ohioans are not appreciated. Some of it is tongue-in-cheek, some of it is really serious. As more and more Buckeyes have moved south, the natives wonder: "Does anyone still live in Ohio?"

A website gobacktoohio.com suggests way to get the Buckeyes back to the north. It's an odd sensation to feel you're actually in the way. Although we've long maintained that eventually the rest of the nation will want to come north for the water...that may take time to materialize.

Meanwhile, I am appreciating the southern charm even if my Yankee ways are considered boorish. Case in point involves northern rudeness. An editorial lambasted people who honk at others as another northern misdeed harming the gentility of South Carolina. I've got to agree. The writer questioned what the purpose of all the honking is. "Do you think traffic will move just because you're impatient?

Ouch. "Chill out," he advises. Why, oh why, oh why O!

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