In the movie “Field of Dreams,” it is said, “If you build it, they will come.” If only that were the case for downtown Chatham.
Downtown in the City Extravaganza took place Friday night, with merchants extending hours into the evening, musicians playing for passersby, culinary specialties available for sampling, various groups putting on demonstration events, and a fashion show taking place in the core.
Those in attendance had a great time.
But there should have been more of them.
The Historic Downtown Chatham BIA worked hard to put on a fun event from one end of the downtown to the other. Many merchants took part, extending their hours into the evening, as requested by many a local citizen in the recent past. Some offered food and hired entertainment; Barb Anderson of Barrypatch did both, and her shop was alive with folks as I sauntered by. But still, there could and should be more public participation.
The weather was perfect. People strolled about without needing so much as a windbreaker.
The downtown set the proverbial table, yet too few people showed up for dinner.
We at The Voice are huge proponents of buy local, shop local, support local. Chatham’s downtown is stocked with local clothing shops and one-of-a-kind stores.
There were places that were quite busy Friday evening, don’t get me wrong. I just wish I had seen more people wandering along King Street.
I did meet many people I know who had parcels and contest brochures in their hands, enjoying what the BIA had put together.
Finn is fine
Yes, the cat came through his neutering operation with flying colours, and new fans.
He went under the scalpel last week at the Grand Avenue Pet Hospital. When we went to pick the little fellow up, we expected a subdued cat that was still recovering from the anesthesia, but we were instead greeted by very familiar loud and unique meowing.
As soon as he heard our voices, he began his operatics. The receptionist said he was a treat to deal with and was the talk of the clinic, as he wanted to play with anyone walking by his cage, especially her. She said when she’d walk by, his paw would pop out to seek playtime, and at one point when she was handling the animal beside Finn, our cat started playing with her hair.
Yeah, so much for post-operative lethargy.
We were told not to let him eat or drink right away as his body was still adjusting after the anesthetic, and we followed our instructions.
We were also told to let him take it easy for a few days too. We listened, but Finn … well, that’s another story.
The little guy came home and immediately wanted to play.
We’re not sure if he was just so happy to see his family that he became so energized, but he was in pretty much full fun mode.
He didn’t rip up and down the hall at full speed or leap all over the place, but he was ready for some action.
That continued into the evening, as he seemed to forego his usual evening nap in favour of more shenanigans, albeit somewhat restricted. He wanted to play with his toys and people. We didn’t want him to overdo it.
His compromise was to seek attention, and feet, and anything else he could easily reach.
When the little dude finally conked out that night, he was out cold, falling asleep in my lap about 10 p.m., earlier than usual.
The next day, he actually did take it easy.
A day later, he ramped it up a bit, but still kept his energy in check.
But by the weekend, the old Finn was back. Play, play, play, play, play.
He stuck to me like glue all weekend, even with Mary and Brenna around as well.
And if I tried to stop playing with him when he wasn’t done, he’d find something in the basement to draw my ire. In true cat form, he particularly enjoys flicking drink coasters onto the floor, or knocking over wastebaskets. And when such skullduggery doesn’t work, he’ll go after the table lamp beside me, either trying to climb up into the shade, or attacking it from the top in an effort to topple it over.
He knows how to push my buttons.
Still, the little beast is showing signs of calming down … slightly. He isn’t biting our arms and hands quite as much. Those playful nips can draw blood if you pull back immediately, or if he hangs on too long and loses his balance.
He also is less hell bent on attacking a picture hook in the living room that’s about three feet above the couch. Yes, there used to be a nice painting hanging there, but when he knocked that down once, we determined it wouldn’t go back just yet.
