Toft's Thoughts

Who else is loving this fall-like weather we are having? I know the summer lovers are going to sharpen their pitch forks and come after me with a vengeance, but I am ready for fall!

Tuesday will mark the first day of the Non-Profit Take Out Tuesday's fair food experience hosted at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Hy-Noon Kiwanis are the first non-profit up this Tuesday and will be open 4-7 p.m. The World's Greatest County Fair will also be hosting a drive-through or walk-up Fair Food to Go experience with the same delicious fair foods you love, deep-fried or on a stick ready for the taking. Since the fair is postponed until next year, I will take whatever Clay County Fair experience I can get and look forward to patronizing it in this fashion.

We say goodbye to the kids this week as they fly out on Thursday and head back to Florida. Dorothy and Vera will surely miss their big sister and brother, as will Josh and I. Due to COVID-19, we had them six extra weeks and although those weeks were wonderful and filled with joy, these teenagers are ready to see their mother and reunite with friends. Their school year will not look the same, as they have already been told they will be learning online through October in Miami, but they look forward to getting the year started and hopefully returning to some form of normalcy fairly soon.

Dorothy and Vera know that when Livon and Liam head back it is nearing their school time too. Registration for Clay Central/Everly was Wednesday, Aug. 5. Both girls are looking forward to business as usual at CC/E. We have over-the-head masks and face-shields ordered for both girls to alternate wearing throughout the week when necessary. To CC/E's advantage, our class sizes already facilitate social distancing so hopefully the girls will have a semi-normal school year ahead of them. As if CC/E didn't already have many selling points, this is certainly a big one especially given the current times. One-on-one education with top-notch educators and staff, in a caring and compassionate environment will lead to a successful year at CC/E.

Every school and administrative team has a tough job ahead of them in keeping their staff and children safe this coming year. I do not envy them in the hard decisions they have before them. Safety for all and the continued nurturing, safety and education for all is key. Many parents are finding whether or not to send their children to school to be just as tough of a decision to make. Please be kind to everyone as they determine what's best for their school district, families, children and themselves. This is a tough road to trek and we all must do so with compassion empathy, and an immense amount of love. It is a time to be considerate and kind, my friends.

Sentinel-News contributor Iesha Toft lives in Royal.