As Paul Revere is reported to have said, “The British Are Coming!”
Yes, the British (and the Canadians) are coming to Neosho in June to participate in a veteran’s track and field meet.
This is an event that has occurred numerous times in Neosho as these older athletes come at the invitation of Rev. Tom Thorne. About every two years, a British team competes against an American team and, from time to time, the competition site changes each from Neosho to a place in Great Britain.
When the British team comes to Neosho, volunteers reach out and host the athletes. Russell and I have hosted athletes many times in the past, and this year we are currently scheduled to host three men, all of whom I believe are English.
Those of us who have hosted these athletes enjoy it although we rarely get to see our guests. They are either off practicing their pole vaulting or hurdles or their sprints or they are in competition. Breakfast time is the best time to catch them, but the ones we hosted never wanted a good old American breakfast. They are more than content with a bowl of cereal or an English muffin or toast—and, of course, they always seem to want some orange marmalade. Because they are athletes and in training for the event, they run a sparse diet, but once the competition ends, they bring out their appetites to make up for their athletic “fasting.”
Because of a sudden injury or personal problem, the athletes who are planning to come have to cancel at the last minute. So even though we expect three gentlemen at our house, we’ll take whoever shows up.
If you think this is something your family might enjoy, I suggest you contact Rev. Thorne and offer your spare bedroom for a few days. You may not get a guests this year, but I’m sure they’ll put your name on the list and the next time the British start coming, you may get a call.
When you look around our community, these small things are some of the best things about Neosho. Hardly a month goes by without some small, or large, event brings out the goodness in our fine citizens.
Kay Hively is the editor of The Post, and writes a column for the Daily News.
