The historic bridge, now a pedestrian crossing is in the shadow of the new bridge.
Our towns in the Copper Basin may be small, but it’s hard to keep up with all the things that are happening. The lead abatement program in Hayden and in Winkelman is beginning. Big D’s market in Kearny has been sold. The Copper Basin Railway is completing a pedestrian railroad crossing at the old Kelvin bridge, and I’m wondering where people who walk the bridge will park their cars to get out and walk.
I missed getting information on the lead abatement program before the deadline for my column. I do know that Big D’s Market has been sold to local residents Vanessa Camacho and Mandy Muñoz and that they are moving things around and hope to open sometime early in August.
The pedestrian railroad crossing at the old Kelvin Bridge is maze-like to keep motorized vehicles off the bridge and walking trails. It’s well done, for the Copper Basin Railway always does good work. But I am perplexed that the Pinal County Highway Department didn’t provide enough convenient parking, for the new bridge covers all the former parking places.
I do have a hard time keeping up with things. My wife has a birthday this week but I’m the one who feels older! My eyes are worse, my hearing is pretty iffy, and I have to use a cane to keep my balance. I don’t climb ladders or reach out for things. I also have continual warfare with technology. My cell phone emits strange music and ring tones. With my stubby fingers and bad eyes I have ruled out communicating with text messages – but actually talking over the telephone is still a pleasure.
And life in a small town is always a pleasure. It’s good to know that when your dog gets loose that the whole neighborhood is watching out for him. Most of the lost pets posted on Facebook turn out with a happy ending, thanks to good people.
It’s good that the local stores and post offices are centers where friends meet and new friends are made. Our churches are fairly small, but size is not a measure of love and outreach. With the State of Arizona’s habit of harming public schools in order to favor loosely-regulated charter schools, it’s amazing how our rural schools are holding their own (and sometimes more).
I promise to do my best to keep up with things. If you can, lend me a hand.