As I write this, I have two events looming on my calendar that terrify me. I have been asked to judge the talent of children and the cuteness of four-legged friends. I’m not sure my life experience up to this point has prepared me for this honor and daunting task.
Several months ago, Caleb Myers, a teacher at Hilton Head Middle School, asked if I would be a guest judge at the Stingrays Got Talent show on April 25. When I said “yes,” it was February 6, and April 25 was so far in the future it couldn’t really be thought about yet. But now it’s Tuesday … and the talent show is exactly 72 hours away. While I am terribly excited to watch all those talented kids dance, sing, twirl batons, and whatever else is on the agenda, how can I possibly CHOOSE a winner?! I’m definitely an “everyone gets an A for effort” kind of gal – especially when it comes to kids! Thankfully, I’ll have fellow judges Sara Burns and Quinton Smalls to confer with.
That brings me to the next event I have been asked to judge. Franny Gerthoffer, director of Hilton Head Humane, insisted Jevon Daly and I head down to Coligny Beach on May 3 at 8:30 a.m. to participate in the annual Dog Walk. Here, we will revel in hundreds of happy tails marching and barking down the beach. Well, I will … Jevon will revel more in chatting with the dog owners, I suspect.
Categories we are responsible for judging include Best Dressed Duo, Human-Dog Look-alike, Biggest Bark, and Waggiest Tail. The Human-Dog Look-alike category has me laughing about the opening scene of 101 Dalmatians where Pongo the dog gazes out the window and tries to find a partner for his “pet,” Roger. As Roger bangs on the piano keys, writing his next song, Pongo observes several women walking down the street with dogs that look exactly like them.
I am sure I will survive these incredible events, and hopefully not hurt too many feelings when I am forced to choose the waggiest tail. But what I am most concerned about is WHY I was asked in the first place. Do I seem judgy to you? 😉
We hope you enjoy our family issue – lots of good stuff in here, but I’ll just go ahead and direct everyone to page 77 for the Kids Summer Camp Listings. I know that’s what you came here for.
Have a magnificent May!