No slowing down in September of this year

When Frank Sinatra sang “The September of My Years” half a century ago, he painted a vivid picture.

Ol’ Blue Eyes (starting to get a little old himself) was talking about watching life slow down and beginning to wistfully recall the faster times of summer.

Clearly Frank didn’t spend much time in Putnam County.

For September in Putnam County is when things really kick into high gear. Labor Day weekend was a nice starting point, with First Friday, Taste of Putnam County, a carnival and barbecue at Mill Pond, Crown Street Music Festival and the national premiere of the Putnam County-filmed “Reparation” at Ashley Square Cinema.

We managed to pack all this in to the regular weekend, leaving Labor Day proper for cooking out and spending time with family.

Apparently, that was just a warm-up for this weekend. The probably-not-comprehensive list includes:

• 21CMposium, Friday through Sunday: The three-day gathering of thinkers, performers and arts leaders at the DePauw University Green Center is headlined by a Saturday performance from the legendary Kronos Quartet.

• Russellville Russellers’ Roundup, Saturday and Sunday: Two days of fun and games during the 34th annual roundup in the northwestern Putnam County town.

• Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Festivities include Young Eagles Rally, hot-air balloon launch and biplane and helicopter rides, among other attractions.

• Clody’s One Eye, 10 a.m. Saturday: The world’s only one-eyed golf tournament returns to Old Hickory Golf Course for its 23rd year, raising money, as always, for the ophthalmology unit at Riley Children’s Hospital.

• DePauw University Community Day, 1 p.m.: The Tiger football team looks to build on an 8-2 record in 2015, opening at home Saturday against Mount St. Joseph.

• HSPC Celebration Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday: A fun night at the Putnam County Fairgrounds will celebrate the reopening of the animal shelter last fall, important animal care programs available and more.

• Live and Local and a Night at the Putnam County Museum, 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday: Seating is limited for this fundraiser featuring live music from the Putnam County Relics, a buffet of locally grown and prepared foods and a live auction with Jeff Rich.

• The R.O.C.K. Camp benefit concert, 6:30 p.m. Saturday: The concert is at Greencastle Christian Church is free, but a free-will offering will be collected for the fledgling camp south of Cloverdale. Performers include Bobbie Lancaster, Wesley Gray and others.

• Farm to Fork Dinner, Saturday evening: The third annual edition of this by-invitation-only event celebrates locally-grown and prepared food in a beautiful, country setting in southwestern Greencastle Township.

Besides all these, there is the weekly Putnam County Farmers’ Market from 8 a.m.-noon downtown, the annual Putnam County Coin Club coin show from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Greencastle Church of the Nazarene, homecoming on Friday at Greenastle and Cloverdale high schools and other events we’ve certainly missed.

What does it all mean? For those of us in the news business, it means there’s not enough time or manpower to cover it all, unfortunately.

What’s more important is the effect it has on the public. Positively, it means there is no one who should lodge the old “nothing to do” complaint this weekend. If there’s nothing to do, you’re not trying.

There might be no better month for reliably peaceful weather than September. It’s wonderful that all these community organizations are taking advantage of this mild time of the season.

On the other hand, how much is too much? It’s been clear for a number of years that September weekends are precious territory in this area.

In scheduling events, a quick look at what else is going on might be beneficial.

There are only so many people to go around. When organizations reach the point that they are trying to attract the same group of people to two places at once, something has to give.

For example, there are certainly dozens of people in this county who are proud supporters of both the Humane Society and the Putnam County Museum.

On Saturday night, though, they’ll have to decide which one they support more.

In as benevolent a community as this, that’s a choice no one should be forced to make.