Fair staff went above & beyond to help family

I felt I should share something positive that happened involving my ex-husband, our 4-year-old son, myself and kindhearted people at the Rowan County Fair.

The fair opened Friday, and my son’s father and I delighted our son with a visit for some family-style fun. Our son loves all trains. Upon seeing a circus-style train ride for young children, he had to ride it — again and again and again. He loved it.

Unfortunately, on the last ride, one of the other cars came off the track. A fairgrounds staff member (whose daughter was riding in the same car with our son) immediately took us to the front office for an incident report.

Every fairgrounds staff member was wonderful. Johnny Love, who runs things, walked us to the ride to speak with the owner, gave our son an armband pass and free admission if we go back to the fair this week. He even gave our son his favorite treat, a hot funnel cake. Love said any child who comes to the fair should leave happy.

It is important to note that fair workers were there to help in a split second. No child was hurt or traumatized. The cars cannot turn over and are designed this way for safety if there’s an accident such as this.

Also important, all rides are required to be inspected by a state inspector. Without passing, a ride will not be run.

While all this was brought on by a frightening accident, it ended on a positive note due to the courtesy and care of the fairgrounds staff. They went above and beyond, showing they care about every child’s (and adult’s) safe and fun-filled fair experience.

There are still truly good people out there. And for getting a solid reminder of this, I am so very thankful.

— Christina Owens Creswell

Salisbury

Recruiting ISIS 101

Recently Hillary Clinton claimed that the language and rhetoric used by Donald Trump is giving “aid and comfort to our adversaries.” You’re in luck, Hillary, because if that’s true, he’s guilty of treason. Congrats, the presidency is yours.

Personally, I don’t think this is the case. However, I do feel there have been a few things that have piqued the interest of some aspiring ISIS wannabes. For example:

• Gitmo prisoner release and giving those released iconic stature

• Trading five extreme terrorists for one questionable soldier

• The Iran nuke deal

• Paying ransom for hostages

• The Benghazi fiasco

• A U.S. vessel seized in the Persian Gulf and the following humiliation that came with it (Did we ever get that boat back?)

• Not striking the ISIS stronghold in Raqqa, Syria

• Political correctness along with the rules of engagement that impede the effectiveness of our troops

• Afraid to say the actual name of our enemy, radical Islam, etc.

Nothing says “Where do I sign up” better than knowing your adversary is not totally into the fight. The entire foreign policy of this administration has been a recruiting tool.

Hillary and Obama have had almost eight years to stem the tide on terror. As far as I can tell, nothing’s been stemmed.

I’m glad these two weren’t around during World War II. If they were, we’d still be fighting Germany and Japan.

— Allan Gilmour

Salisbury