Page 9 - June 2020 Issue.indd

The second prong of my pitch If you are aware of your local heritage, are proud of it, and
is to call on the Lions Club of want to make this area the best it can be, I advise you to look
Ridgely, as well as other perti- beyond the same old same old, stop being content with going
nent local organizations, to study through the motions, and aim higher than ever before. Th e sky
how distant strawberry-growing is the limit with a little bit of research, imagination, and eff ort
regions market themselves and in deference to the almighty strawberry.
their nearby tourist attractions.
The event in Florida is not one

day but in fact close to two weeks
long. Perhaps we lack the popula-
tion or infrastructure to support
that, but a weekend jam-packed
with entertainment could be a start. To wit, Florida brings in
nationally-touring acts to headline their version of the festival:

in 2019 alone The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, Willie Nelson,
Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss, Steven Tyler, Martina
McBride, Gene Watson, Styx, Tanya Tucker, Chris Janson, Keith
Sweat, and Bobby Bare all were booked to perform. Planners
can secure one recognizable albeit budget-friendly artist each
May; Ridgely has done this before (hick-hop trailblazer Colt
Ford in 2013, for instance) and can do it again on a yearly

basis. They have plenty of exhibits and competitions, especially
eating contests, to lure people to the Plant City grounds too. It
should be pointed out as well that festival organizers there all
wear snazzy strawberry-colored blazers, closely resembling the
traditional maroon of Ridgely. They even have a kid-friendly

cartoon mascot. We can do all of that and more.

COMPLETE AUTO AND TRUCK
• Engine Repairs • Tune-Ups • Oil & Filter • Alignments • Tire Repair • Brakes • Suspensions • Shocks • Struts • Replacement Parts (Wipers and Bulbs to Timing Belts) • Air Conditioning Service & Repairs • Computer Diagnostic Evaluations • 30, 60, 90 & 120 Mile Scheduled Maintenance • New and Rebuilt Engines • Transmission Service • Motor Vacuum Fuel System Cleaning
SERVICE SHOP

Monday-Friday Rt. 480, Ridgely, MD
7:45- 5:30
410-634-1166
Our goal is to offer the best services
Rob VanVessen, owner, operator available at affordable prices to get you
www.robsqualitycarcare.com
back on the road in no time.

MD STATE State of MD
INSPECTIONS Motorcycle Inspections

ASE certified master techs with 30+ years
of experience to work on all makes and
models.
Ford Certified Master Diesel Technician
to handle all of your powerstroke needs.

9