-Isms: Views on life in rural America

Every summer in rural America begins the same way: somebody unfolds a lawn chair.

Not because they particularly want to sit in the heat for six hours. Not because the food lines are short. Not because mosquitoes have suddenly become enjoyable.

They show up because that’s what small towns do.

This weekend begins another season of community celebrations across the Summerland area, and before long our calendars will blur into parades, rodeos, ballgames, barbecue smoke, gravel parking lots and late nights. By August, most of us won’t know what weekend it is without first asking what town is celebr...