Don’t Look
Weekly update #308 12/14/2025 to 12/20/2025
Randomly, one of my kids will remind me of something from when they were little, and often, it isn’t the big things that they remind me of. Before that though, let me share some of my week serving as mayor of the best small town in America.
Normally, I write about bits of the last week, but for this update, I think I will just simply focus on one day. Saturday was a busy day here in Seymour and beyond. Saturday morning kicked off with the Jingle All the 5K hosted downtown by Seymour Main Street. This year, the 5k run/walk started on South Chestnut and headed north through downtown. Then it headed west towards the boulevards and around Seymour High School before heading back up the recently completed 2nd Street finishing downtown. The weather was great for a December 5k, and it seemed to be filled with lots of smiles and laughs as they approached the finish line. Congratulations to all the finishers, and thank you to all the volunteers that helped keep the runners and walkers safe as memories were made.
From there, I moved on to cheer on the Seymour Owls at a swim meet in Jennings County. While this wasn’t the only SHS sporting event, it was the only one that I made it to. Great work to all the swimmers as they keep chasing better times as the meet season pauses until after the new year. That pause doesn’t mean they get a few weeks off from practice, though, as they will continue to work hard preparing for conference and sectional not that far down the road. Keep up the hard work, everyone, and we will see you soon.
Saturday evening, it was time for the Christmas Parade of Lights. As people lined up on 2nd Street they had a chance to talk with friends and family and even break out in a dance party with some Christmas tunes. The rules for the parade are pretty simple, and it is that you have to light up your entry for all to enjoy as the sun goes down. From heavy wreckers to Bartholomew County Shrine Club cars, it seemed like the entries were having fun. After the parade ended, the Fraternal Order of Police had hot chocolate and cookies for everyone to enjoy before the fireworks show started. During the fireworks show, I had someone share that they could see them while ringing the bell for Salvation Army at Wal~Mart. I believe this was the fourth year for the parade and third year for the fireworks. Each year, it seems like the smiles and laughs grow, and notes are taken for next year before anyone gets home. To everyone involved from the city team to make these two events happen, great work, and I can’t wait to sit down for the debrief soon so 2026 planning can truly start.
Early in the week, one of my daughters made a comment about a story or a joke that I am sure I told when she was younger, and it made me realize it isn’t always the big things that stick in the memory. On Saturday, as I looked through the pictures from the swim meet, I saw it again. The between swim smiles and laughs where the memories are being made. Ten years from now they may remember a finish time or two, but what will probably stick the most is how hanging out with each other made them feel. The stories about bus rides back home after a meet. The time they messed up the board for a friend on the 500. One of my memories is a comment my brother made while we were in the Fort Vallonia Days parade back in the late 90s. Still to this day I replay that conversation when I am in a parade or attend one. Of the thousands of miles I have spent on a bicycle over the years, the highlight real isn’t filled with great speed or amazing bike handling skills, but instead with faces of friends, some no longer with us, and moments we shared doing something we loved. Today, I will leave you with a quote from Phil Donahue because as I look back I realize how right he is, "In reality, the most important things happen when you don't look for them."