​Thunder over Franklin concludes the celebrations Thursday at Riverfront Park. ​

The weather forecast isn't great for the weekend, but what a day for the Penny Carnival. Thousands enjoyed the games and fun in the downtown parks.

The annual Rocky Grove Fireman's Fair has drawn thousands to the area this week. This year's festival had some new rides, but most importantly the sausage sandwiches were flowing.

It was a very sweaty hug, but it wasn’t the sweat that made this a moment one I won’t soon forget.

With wars being waged in very dangerous parts of the world and two out of touch old guys running for president in a country so divided politically, my usually optimistic outlook has been getting pretty dim. Add in social media where we learn more about how our neighbors think about the issues than we ever wanted, it scares me where we are exisingt as a society. Cynicism infiltrates when we aren't paying close attention.
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Then a complete stranger extended a hand with a beautiful smile and drew me in for an embrace. Even though temperatures were hovering around 90 degrees and we were in bright sun, it was a soothing moment that was much needed.

It wasn’t a fake gesture. It was an engulfing hug filled with kindness and love that one this man, Sutham Nateetong, a Thai Buddhist monk,  has given thousands of times.

Though there was a language barrier, we shared a few thoughts when I met up with them on Route 428 in Venango County. I was there to learn about them so I could explain to my readers what they were about and why they came through our area. It was difficult as English isn't fluent for them, though a few have enough of a vocabulary to get their point across.

One monk reached his hand to touch my belly when I didn’t really understand him. He said “walk, walk, walk” and indicated that all the monks were skinny. I looked down at his hand touching what I swear was my dad’s belly and not my own and I began to laugh loudly. 

That laugh was a second very nice gift this group of people gave to me.

​I also learned my choice of words made it difficult to communicate. I have a slang-riddled, sometimes snarky joke-like communication style. Those not fluent have a very difficult time understanding. But these monks were patient and helped me learn.

I just couldn't fathom such negativity and I caught myself getting angry. During a car ride, I ranted out loud to no one because I was alone, as if I were confronting these people directly. I’m guessing if anyone saw me, they'd think I was either crazy or listening to angry death metal on the radio.

Then I remembered the calmness from a stranger's embrace, and his words of peace and kindness I heard only a few short hours earlier. 
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"We can make world peace from inner peace. When we have inner peace we send loving kindness to everybody in family, in community... (if) every family, every community can have peace, the whole world can have peace." 

Again, what a gift to give me on that day.

It is hard not to find disappointment in my fellow humans sometimes, but my feelings of disappointment add to the negativity going around.

I must constantly remind myself of this.

Christ taught us to pray, to reflect and to seek our wisdom through God. Prayer, if done in the way Christ did when he’d go off into the dessert for days, is meditation. 

Praying for our own actions of kindness and love instead of praying for forgiveness seems to be a better pathway towards positivity and progress in the world. That has always been what I got out of Christ’s teaching. That is what I've gotten from casual study of other religions and philosophies from Black Elk's teachings, reading about the Zen practices and understanding that nirvana or heaven must be sought individually through personal inner goodness.

It is easy to loose this in a society when negativity and judgement become a collective.

In his solo journey five years ago, he learned of people’s kindness and willingness to engage. He has also walked across several countries in Europe.

This walk he is not alone. The group of ten don’t typically all walk at the same time. Six or so at a time will cover approximately 30 miles a day on foot, some wearing only sandals. They share the duties as they go, such as carrying flags, taking photographs and videos and walking at the end of the single-file group.
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As they came through the area last week, the region was experiencing the first real heat wave of the summer season. Sweaty and hot, the monks didn't waver they just kept on moving at a steady pace, looking for areas of shade when possible. ​

The Spongebob Musical opens Friday at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. The show will run through June 30 with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

​Below are more images from Wednesday's dress rehearsal.

A little eye candy from the fountain that makes West Park in downtown Franklin more commonly referred to as Fountain Park. It's quite a piece of sculptural waterworks. Thousands of prom goers have made this  the destination for their photos over the years. Wedding parties have ventured here and even a wedding or two has taken place with this grand centerpiece as a backdrop.

​According to the Smithsonian Institute The fountain was erected in memory of Albert G. Egbert (d. 1896), a local physician and one-time member of Congress. It has undergone many repairs over the years, including basin repairs (1928 and 1995); repairs made after a 1929 wind storm broke off Venus' arms and the foot of the maiden facing West Park Street); and repairs made in 1979 under efforts spearheaded by the Franklin Jaycees. The fountain was repainted in 1995.

It's captured many a photographer's eye, including this one from time to time.

No shortage of things to do in Franklin. Another player on the music scene are the folks at Outdoor Allegheny River Services, better known as OARS Allegheny. Jeff Brunton has made his kayak business venue down off Elk Street into an intimate outdoor performing venue and held their first concert  a couple weeks back with Best Intentions entertain a couple hundred people sitting around the campfire and chillin' on the vibes.

Brunton, who everybody call JB or the "kayak guy" has a summer line up scheduled featuring In Harmony on June 21, Mike Leslie on July 26, Alyssa Hankey on August 3, Truly Kin on August 9, Acoustic Earl on August  23 and Max Schang on September 6.

"We love live music, " Brunton said. "We started a few years ago with a few friends playing and now we have musicians calling us because of the venue, the vibe and crowd size."

Saturday officially kicked off the annual Franklin Blues and Barbeque two-day music festival in Fountain Park, however, the organizers and many musicians got a head start on the weekend Friday night with a special Flag Day all-star jam at Trails to Ales.  A lot of talent drew a large crowd with more expected on Sunday.

Saturday saw performances from the Franklin High School jazz band, which has been a recipient of some of the funding given away by the Blues and Barbeque committee, The Memphis Honey Blues Band, The Bell Jumpers, Max Schang and his friends, the Wallace Coleman Band, Greg Piccolo and  Heavy Juice and Eliza Neals and her Detroit band.
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Sunday the event continues with another recipient of the committee's funds, HOLeY Jeans at noon followed by Dan Bubien and the Delta Struts, Billy the Kid and the Regulators. The day is capped -off with  Bywater Call before the sun sets on another year.

Blues and Barbeque raises money for music education throughout Venango County. Since they began in 2015 they have given out over $50,000. Last year they were able to help Rocky Grove's music department get a French horn and they have establish a strong artist-in-residence program that helps the Franklin Jazz Band program immensely.

​Below are a few photos from Saturday's performances.

Class valedictorian Simon Burkett and salutatorian Gabe Rankin also addressed their classmates with high  hopes and future successes for everyone in the class of 2024.

Rocky Grove High School moved it's graduation indoors to the school's auditorium. Though the weather turned out nice in the evening the rain soaked old soccer field at Valley Grove Elementary School was not ideal for the 2024 commencement ceremony.

The school graduated 76 in all with Spencer Riley and Izabella Friel leading the way as the valedictorian and salutatorian.