Summer's almost here and the living is, well, it's been kind of hard recently. Madisonville reporter Michael Thomason has been on vacation this week so it's been Mia Rhodarmer and myself against the world. Well, against Monroe County at least.

But at least this crazy week has given me the chance to catch up with some old friends in Madisonville. I also got to see the beautiful new primary school in the county seat. The whole county can be proud of this showplace. 

Both the county and city school systems have had aggressive and proactive building programs now for more than a decade. A few old buildings remain but I dare say not many communities our size can boast as many fine schools as our local school systems can.

In the coming months, Sweetwater will began tearing down and replacing the old Ivins Building at the Broad Street Elementary School. The preliminary plans for that  project indicate we will have another beautiful addition to our local schools.

The election in Sweetwater kept us running last week as well. I guess you can't have an election in Sweetwater without a bad storm. Remember two years ago when a storm blew the roof off of the Sonic? Has that really been two years ago? Seems like about six months ago to me. Time does fly when you get older and better looking. 

Hope everyone has a great summer. I get to go on vacation in a couple of weeks. I am so poor I guess it will have to be a "staycation" but at least it will be time off. Maybe I can go somewhere in my mind. How about Daytona or maybe a motor home trip out west? I have always wanted to see the desert. 

As I close my eyes, I can see it now. Darn, its hot! Let's try a vacation in Maine. Now there we go.

I guess you can change plans pretty quickly with an imaginary vacation.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com call 337-7101