On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

I can’t believe I’ve been doing this article for almost 4 years. Every week, for nearly four years. It’s been a pleasure and I appreciate all the nice things people have said about the stories. I also appreciate the adverse comments, but not as much. I have decided to take the summer off from the column and return in September. You see, I have a real job that keeps me very busy in the summer and things are about to heat up. As director of Somerville’s singing Sunsetters, our season begins Thursday night at the annual fireworks celebration at Trum Field. Then it’s performances Monday through Thursday nights until August 18. My other summer program, Project STAR begins on Tuesday, July 5, and runs until August also.

We have decided to re-run some of the early articles while I work on these other projects.

I will be squeezing trips to New Hampshire and Maine into my busy schedule also.

I am excited about the summer finally being here. All that snow, and the ridiculous driving conditions make it so much sweeter. We just have to come up with a way to slow the days down. Can you believe that July Fourth weekend is already upon us?

As I was driving my son to school on his second to last day, I was looking around making a final observation. People were rushing around heading for the T and driving here and there. I was making my way through Davis Square and there they were. The sweaty joggers that force the newly showered, well dressed working stiffs, to get out of their way. There is nothing like being brushed by a heavy breathing, dripping person as they run by you on the sidewalk. Why they don’t just hit the bike trail I’ll never understand. They must think we are impressed by them.

So this is the stuff you will be missing as I take a few weeks off. Here are some hopes and wishes I have for the summer: I hope gas prices continue to drop. I hope rain doesn’t ruin too many precious weekends. I hope the Senior Picnic and Artbeat do not fall on sweltering, uncomfortable, sticky, humid days. I hope The Sunsetters remember all their words and dance steps. I hope my kids help me clean the yard and cellar. I hope each summer day drags by. I hope everyone stays healthy and happy.

It has certainly been an exciting year so far. The Bruins gave us all an unbelievable thrill that we will not soon forget.

If you have any ideas for stories, please send them to me at jimmydel@rcn.com. We will be accepting students age 12 to 18 for Project STAR. Just show up at the West Somerville Neighborhood School on Tuesday, July 5, at 9 a.m. There is no charge for this 6 week musical theatre camp that includes breakfast and lunch.

So I will see you in September. I hope you enjoy the re-run articles that we have chosen to print while I am busy doing other things. Have a great summer!