SILOAM SPRINGS — How wonderful it was to have sunshine over the weekend! Rainy, cloudy weather is appreciated now and then, but almost two weeks of continuous clouds and drizzle wreaks havoc on a person’s state of mind.

Fortunately, I have never been prone to more than momentary depression. Even so, extended periods of no sun can initiate my conversion into a snarling werewolf.

We once had some elderly neighbors who were contemplating a move to Wisconsin to be near their daughter. After visiting the prospective area a few weeks, they decided it was too dreary because they never saw the sun.

After my family moved to Siloam Springs, a young woman who worked with me resigned to move to the Northwest. She and her husband returned to Siloam after several months, because, she said, the weather was making them crazy, and if they stayed any longer, one would probably murder the other.

Well, the weather was perfect Saturday when Siloam Springs High School hosted the marching band contest for about 16 high-school bands.

As the host school, Siloam Springs’ band could not enter into the contest. Instead, they presented an exhibition performance Saturday evening. It was an outstanding program and demonstrated why the Siloam Springs High School band is one of the best in this state.

The stadium seats were filled with grandparents and parents there to see their kids perform under the clear, cloudless skies. No one was disappointed, and some of us were moved to tears as we realized our babies were no longer babies.

Siloam Springs High School band director Keith Rutledge continues to outdo himself in producing bands that exceed all expectations.

These band contests are bound to be boosts for the local economies. I was surprised at the number of cars, buses, students and families the contest brought to Siloam Springs.

They were here from: Hot Springs Lake Hamilton, Rogers Heritage, Springdale Har-Ber, Greenwood, Berryville, Conway, Mena, Mountain Home, Harrisburg, Charleston, Hot Springs Lakeside, Huntsville, Green Forest, Prairie Grove, Sallisaw (Okla.), Carthage (Mo.), and UCA (exhibition).

We stayed to watch several of the top 10 bands perform. I must say, the band performances have become more entertaining and innovative than ever before.

The talent, dedication and integrity of our young people was manifested by what we saw and heard. It takes concentration, discipline and teamwork to produce the kind of results we observed.

Our television journalists sometimes get caught up in telling us the negative news about what the “bad kids” are doing. It is good to have occasional reminders that the vast majority of our teenagers are growing up into decent individuals deserving of our respect, admiration and, most importantly, encouragement.

— Louis Houston is a resident of Siloam Springs. He can be contacted via e-mail at louis1931@gmail.com.

Lifestyles, Pages 10 on 11/04/2009

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