Sims on Sports

Local Sports

Related Photos

Greg Sims

Discussion

July 4, 2012

Sims on Sports

By Gregg A. Sims Washington Times-Herald The Washington Times-Herald Wed Jul 04, 2012, 04:31 PM EDT

WASHINGTON —

Summer holidays were never that big of an occasion at the Sims household.

It was the winter holidays that ruled the roost as I was growing. Thanksgiving and Christmas were the two biggies, as I’m certain they are in many households.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were family times with large meals cast from major productions that kept my mother and father going for several days to insure the stage was set and prepared.

But the ones from spring through fall usually didn’t seem to have the same importance.

Memorial Day was somewhat of an occasion. My father owned a business that kept him rather busy, and Memorial Day was a time to spend outdoors mowing the lawn, maybe doing some painting.

But no matter what we might be doing, we always listened to the greatest spectacle in racing. It didn’t seem to matter what was happening, the Indianapolis 500 was always on the radio.

I always wondered what Rodger Ward was like. For some reason, he was the guy I always wanted to win. The Leader Card Special. That had to be some kind of machine. The scream of the engine. The roar of the crowd.

There was really no television for some time. The race would be broadcast later as a highlight program. I was never able to attend growing up. There were friends and families from Winslow who did.

The Finch family who lived just over the hill behind the Shaws went. The were sitting in the fourth corner in 1964 when the popular Eddie Sachs and newer driver Dave McDonald died in a very fiery accident.

Labor Day was fun in late summer. Another day away from the business. An important day for people who broke their backs working in the days when I was growing. Still is.

The Fourth of July was always a day that seemed to get lost. I really don’t have many memories lasting from the past. Listening to a baseball game was a normal activity.

I’m certain we went to see fireworks somewhere. I can’t really remember seeing many, although it wasn’t unusual for the family to load into the car and make a trip to Vincennes and the swimming pool. An occasional picnic would be included, along with a round or two of miniature golf across the street from the city park in Vincennes.

We really never set off any fireworks at home. No firecrackers or the such. I must have lit a few sparklers at night. It seems as though some of the neighbors joined in.

My present Sims family hasn’t done much of that either. The good wife and I have been so bold as to light a sparkler or two in the past.

I know. You must be wondering how we could have been so daring and bold. Sometimes you just have to let go.

With the recent drought, fireworks were limited in Indiana this year. That didn’t bother me as much as others. I do enjoy them. I hope the celebrations were successful and safe for everyone in a time of high temperatures and little rain.

I guess all of this has to do with the real importance of holidays. While we plan differently for each holiday, the meaning has more to do with being with people that you care for and who care about you.

Those are the fireworks that really matter.

Here’s hoping your Fourth was filled with the warmth of those displays.

Text Only

Local Sports

Rivet beats Lions in 1st round of sectional
Loogootee saw its chance to repeat as sectional champions end in dramatic fashion as Vincennes Rivet claimed the opening game of Sectional 63 with a 5-4, nine-inning win at Les Page Field on Wednesday.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Hatchets season ends with loss to Jasper
Washington senior pitcher Brayden Walls had one of the best seasons in Hatchet history, but he couldn’t will his team to one more win.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Loogootee falls to Rivet in Sectional 63
LOOGOOTEE - Loogootee saw its chance to repeat as sectional champions end in dramatic fashion as Vincennes Rivet claimed the opening game of Sectional 63 with a 5-4, nine-inning win at Les Page Field on Wednesday.

May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Wagler, Stoll pace Vikings
Brandon Wagler and Myron Stoll each hit three-run home runs as Barr-Reeve defeated Eastern Greene, 15-3, in six innings Monday.

May 22, 2013
WHS camp is Monday
The Washington Hatchet's Summer Tennis Camp begins Monday at the Lena Dunn Elementary School courts.
Boys and girls entering grades three through eight this coming school year wishing to participate may register when the camp begins at 9 a.m. The camp continues each day until 10:30 a.m. through Thursday.
Each player should bring a racket (one can be provided), a towel and a water bottle.
The cost of the camp is $25 per person. Checks should be made to WHS Boys Tennis.

May 22, 2013
Washington Catholic High School is seeking coaches for the fall season.
Coaching positions open include: varsity and junior varsity volleyball; junior high volleyball, and junior high boys soccer.
Persons interested in these positions should contact athletic director John Howell at 812-254-2050, or email at jhowell@evdio.org.

May 22, 2013
Hatchets top Cougars
Washington out slugged North Daviess, 15-10, at the Sports Complex Monday.

May 22, 2013
Chestnut's big day lifts Vikings
Tuesday evening’s Class A Sectional 63 championship was supposed to be a battle between two bitter rivals, but it turned out to be a Viking coronation.

May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Tennis doubles sectional at Jasper
The girls tennis doubles sectional at Jasper will have an all area flavor starting this evening.

May 21, 2013
Vikings get 16th victory
The Barr-Reeve baseball team (16-6) defeated Southridge, 2-1, Saturday in one of its final tuneup's before the Class A Sectional at Loogootee.

May 21, 2013
More Local Sports Headlines

Local Sports

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Sims on Sports

Site Map

Contact Us