Ladd It is Old Settlers time in Carroll County again. The festivities will start in downtown Delphi by the time you open your paper for your weekly read. In fact the rides will be operating and the food will be cooking. It is hard to tell what is the most favored event with this celebration. The food ranks high with the fish fry on Thursday and the Chicken Barbeque at the Methodist Church on Friday night. Not to mention the other vendors who will be present around the square with their offerings of ice cream, pork chops and assorted other fine eats. Or maybe it is the rides and games that are offered as a break from these last few days before school starts. But I think there is something different at work.

During my times at the festival I notice something else taking place. People talking and interacting as friends and neighbors seems to be the main attraction with the other offering just side dishes in this offering. Quite frankly, the festival is about community. Since it is the longest operating festival of its kind in the country, I believe it is important for us to capitalize on this opportunity. In our county we are well aware of our financial struggles, our development of new businesses and the work and sometimes disagreement that affords. Plus, we will deal soon with a new highway coming through town. In the meantime our best gift is each other.

Carroll County can find her strongest strength in her relationships and her diversity. We are all not the same. We have different interests and yes we even have different ethnic backgrounds in our county and that is good for us to grow and enjoy. I think the Old Settlers was started to remember those first families who settled in our county. That excellent reminder of folks who came and struggled to make their way in this land should prompt us to understand that we, too, will struggle and be thankful that our address is in a place where we feel safe and are able to have good neighbors.

So I invite you this week to come out and enjoy the relationships that make Carroll County unique and a blessing.

Too often we stay cramped in our work relationships, or our schools, or our churches, never venturing out to see what is available to us. My hope is that you will practice what Jesus taught us in the great commandment to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.

See you at Old Settlers.

Todd Ladd is pastor at the Delphi United Methodist Church.