Letters to the editor July 12

Changes in Happy Valley

Something has gone wrong with the Fourth of July.

Happy Valley is a peaceful, neighborly place. Nearly everyone waves and scoots over to the other side of the road as they pass me walking with my dog. When the microburst tore through a few years ago and ripped up giant trees by their roots, neighbors got out their chainsaws and helped each other recover. Only a few had to get a professional tree service.

When someone is sick or hurt and needs help, neighbors bring food, mow lawns, and clear the snow.

Fourth of July used to be neighbors and family gathering to barbecue and play backyard games, and then head to the local community area where the county put on an amazing display of professional fireworks. I remember once going down to Whitefish Lake to watch the display that they put on backward, starting with the finale. We laughed.

But something has gone wrong.

I’m trying to comprehend what on earth has happened in the last few years as Independence Day approaches. Fireworks set off in the streets today are simply explosive bombs, there is nothing beautiful about them and they have nothing to do with the celebration of our country’s independence from good ol’ King George.

What happens to the neighbors who are mostly so wonderfully considerate of each other? They would stop to pick up a stray dog and locate its owner but why don’t they seem to care that those same sweet dogs are terrified for nearly two weeks, during the war we call Independence Day.

Why do neighbors who would readily plow the driveway for a senior citizen seem not to care one whit that seniors literally don’t get a good night’s sleep for nearly two weeks?

What has gone wrong?

— Cynthia Winters, Whitefish