The Daze is here

By Don Cunningham/Tribune correspondent
Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008 - 12:09:47 pm CDT

The John C. Fremont Daze is here.

You read it right.

Daze? You should have been at the last JCF directors’ meeting to witness it.

These meetings have begun roughly at 6:45 am. I say "roughly," because I have never been on time.

Our current president, Kevin Eairleywine, is always dressed in a professional looking shirt and tie. At 6:45. He must sleep in them.

Jeff Hoffman, JCF Daze executive director and keyboard musician extraordinaire, is the living embodiment of the "Daze." Study him carefully during the days ahead. You’ll see.

Our last meeting as a contingent was held July 1. Most everybody made it. Quite a few were on time.

Between worshiping at the altar of coffee and dieting on crème filled, there were actually moments of levity.

Remember this, never awake a sleeping Jim Henry. A morning person among us early mourning people. Bad combination.

Ruth Fischer offered to tell us about her weekend at the Olympic Trials but since none of us scored tickets, we looked at her financial report and, collectively, pouted.

Jason Garretson’s cowboy hat was missing. So was Jason. We missed his hat. That black topper reminds us of our mission. To promote our town through the memory of the Pathfinder.

(I must admit here, I am a bit disappointed. We Directors are provided T-shirts to wear this weekend. Had my heart set on a Stetson.)

Chris Bristol told us that a special section of the Trib would be dedicated to retiring Sports Director Curt Rohrig for his JCF service. Rather than vocally exhibiting our jealousy, we other directors immediately took a bite of sticky pecan rolls. Took two minutes before anyone could speak again.

By then Jim Henry had told two more jokes. Carol Fenske tried to retaliate. At least she appeared to try. That pecan thing really got in the way.

We forgot about Curt.

President-Elect Barry Reker suddenly didn’t look so good. He asked to be excused from the meeting. For a year.

His motion failed for lack of a second, although we offered to reconsider his request if it were amended so we could all ride his motorcycle around the square.

Mark Ankersen and Cheri Healey were very quiet during this meeting. That means their preparations, unlike the rest of us loudmouths, are actually finished.

With there being no further business to conduct, the directors dutifully adjourned this last meeting of the 2008 John C. Fremont Days Board, grabbed a couple more pastries, two or three purchase orders, and left our hat size with Jeff.

See you Friday.

Don Cunningham is a member of the John C. Fremont Days board and a regular contributor to the Tribune’s Opinion page.

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That figures
Jul 9, 2008 10:17 AM
And now we know why JCF days are boring, and never change!
JT
Jul 10, 2008 8:10 AM
Negativity on an anonymous internet message board? How novel and shocking? I can't wait to get up to Fremont for JCF Days this weekend. Thanks for the hard work everyone involved.
That figures
Jul 10, 2008 11:10 AM
The irony is pretty deep don't you think? Someone complaining about an anonymous post, then signing their name as JT...WOW!
Nancy
Jul 10, 2008 1:36 PM
First volunteer, then belly ache. I have volunteered many times for different activities and had a ball. My only complaint is who was the genius that changed the festival dates from a nice week-end in the end of August to the hottest & muggiest week of the summer (according to the farmers almanac)? Even if the county fair is in August there are other week-ends we could do JC Days. There is not enough get out of the heat shelters provided for families with small children or elderly people who have just as much right to attend as anyone. We need to schedule this at a better time and we need the board of directors to recognize this is an important consideration and something that should not be swept under the rug. The girls set this up as a way to bring spirit and unity to Fremont. We need to keep that in mind, it is a festival after all, not a way to make a fast buck. enjoy but also volunteer.
Really
Jul 10, 2008 2:27 PM
I agree with That figures. If Mr. Cunningham is making an attempt of humor he failed. If he painted an accurate picture of what really happens at one of these director meetings, why even have a meeting? It doesn't sound like much of anything was accomplished.
fremonter
Jul 10, 2008 3:31 PM
to really:
not much acomplished? sounds like the fremont city council and the dodge county board meetings? gee, i wonder if the same people run all three. must be because nothing gets done, same old thing every year, talk a good line of baloney, and then adjorn. good practice for any political position in government.
Connie
Jul 10, 2008 10:02 PM
I'd just like to know if the people who are complaining about the JC Fremont Days volunteer so they might have new ideas? If you don't contribute, quit your complaining. It takes alot of time to do something like this. Try it, sometime and you might appreciate the effort better.
SamIam
Jul 11, 2008 7:15 AM
I will complain about this farce. I DO volunteer, I clean up all the litter that is thrown on my yard every year.

I prefer my beer cold.
Nancy
Jul 11, 2008 8:44 AM
I would like to know why the Pathfinder award is always awarded to someone outside of Fremont. Isn't this a Fremont festival? There are hundreds of people here in Fremont worthy of this award and our committees outsource even the awards. Don't get me wrong, I am sure this years receipent is worthy, but he is a Fremonter. We expect the people of Fremont to come out in support of JC Fremont Days and yet we bypass them when it comes to awarding them this honor. I just want to know why?
Pam
Jul 11, 2008 11:15 AM
I agree with Connie. If you don't have any new ideas that you can contribute then quit complaining. I look forward to JCF Days each year. No, I don't go to everything. Yes, there are things that I don't care for. You can't please everyone all the time. But on the flip side there are a lot of different things to try to please all ages. Give these people a break. It takes a lot to plan this! Thanks for all your hard work!
just my two cents worth..
Jul 11, 2008 4:35 PM
JCF days is alright for what it is. As with everything in life you have to take it with a grain of salt. Don't like the money grubbing event it's become? Don't support the vendors and they won't come back and at some point that will force the committee to take another look. If you do like the free activities and events, support those.

I'm with others though, if you just sit at your computer and blog your complaints, demeaning the effort that has gone into making it whatever it is-good or bad-you're part of the problem, not part of the solution. That serves to make no change.
Crystal
Jul 11, 2008 7:50 PM
What a bunch of complainers! Ok, so you don't like JCF days, and you didnt think the article was funny. Fine. I find it humorous that you even took the time to comment on something that you don't care about. Hmmm... someone must be bored. Seriously though are there a bunch of middle school kids posting on here or what? Whats the point in making rude remarks, and insults? Grow up!

As far as Fremont days goes, I can't wait! My son will have a great time, and so will the rest of the family.
fremonter
Jul 12, 2008 7:10 PM
to pam:
it takes a lot to plan this? no it dosent. they just repeat the same boring things as the year before. its all just a carbon copy. theres no hard work involved. the same junk being sold by the same vendors every year. its all just BORING BORING BORING
jake
Jul 14, 2008 1:28 AM
i volunteer every year at JCF days and i agree it is sad how cut and past things are. i say bring in some good bands like 311 or nickelback or some body new that would come here. we need more middle age things to do. besides shop in over priced venders. lets get some more rock bands as well as new age bands. get the middle age people intrested instead of the kids.
Concert was great
Jul 14, 2008 12:50 PM
The Steven Curtis Chapman concert was absolutely wonderful. Thanks so much for the NEW event on the roster. Our town needs more concerts and other events, be it during JCF Days or throughout the year. The new Midland venue was a perfect location.

Please consider something of this caliber for next year's festival!
bill
Jul 14, 2008 1:59 PM
To Jake: 311? Nickelback? Just because you and a handfull of your friends like these out-dated bands, doesn't mean you could make a concert with them economically viable. Get real, 311 might work if Fremont could afford them but Nickelback? Come on dude.
Oh please
Jul 14, 2008 3:06 PM
Cunningham makes a mockery of the JCF Days planning committee and posters here are upset with those who offer criticism of the festival? Why not criticize Cunningham?

And if he has nothing positive to say about the committee and nothing to contribute to the meeting, why are they keeping him on it?
jake
Jul 15, 2008 12:28 AM
to bill

i was using them as an example. what i should have said is get bands that people in my age group 20-30 listen to than mabey more of us would make the trip downtown. there is nothing there for us to do. its just all cut and past from last year. granted it does take a lot of effort to put it on traffic control, vendor permits, so on and so fourth. i just would like more things for my age group to do thats why i said bring in the bands. or go to sokol in omaha and try and get some of thoese bands to come down here. they sell out all the time. that is the way to make an impact. have things for all ages all day every day not just a beer garden. some of us dont drink so why go down there?