The arrival of warmer weather presents the perfect time to pull the bicycle our of the garage, give it a quick tune-up and enjoy the health and environmental benefits of bicycling in our community. May is National Bike Month in America and the League of American Bicyclists encourages everyone to bike to work during the week of May 14-18.
According to the League's website, the fun of bike riding should always be balanced with the responsibility of knowing the essential rules of the road to keep yourself safe. The League of American Bicyclists offers a few rules to keep in mind when you’re out on the road, whether in your car or on your bike:
Among these rules are to remember that bicycles are vehicles with the same rights, rules, and responsibilities as other road users. Motorists should only pass a bicycle when it's safe to do so. Motorized vehicles should slow down and give cyclists three feet of passing room.
As a bicyclist, you should obey all traffic laws, stop signs, and traffic lights.
Laws require bicycles to have lights at night, and common sense requires cyclists to wear helmets. Whether you ride or drive, please do so responsibility and share the road! For more information on the League, check out their website at www.bikeleague.org.
St. James lost a great lady and citizen with the death of Wilma Edwards this past week. I doubt there are many of our citizens who failed to be touched by Wilma, either through the Western Auto Store she and her husband Dwight owned or Wilma's Gifts, the little shop on West Washington known more for its candy selections than its gifts, or her many other endeavors within the community.
Wilma was one of those women who through their own right played a significant role in the history and heritage of our community. A woman, small and meek in stature, Wilma had the respect of many, if not all citizens which she came in contact with through the business community, as a parent and as a volunteer. When I ponder the names of women who have helped to shape our community's heritage, I think of Lucy Wortham James, Mayor Mayme "Granny" Ousley, and educator/historian Alice Smallwood. To this list, I quickly add Wilma Edwards.
I was sorry to hear that Debbie Parton, president and strong supporter of the Tri-County Humane Society for its nineteen years of operation in St. James, has resigned her position for family and professional reasons. This leaves a tremendous void to be filled on the board of the Society.
