BRIDGE CEREMONY
Some friends and I had an informal "Bridge Opening Ceremony" this past week. If you
are not aware, the golf cart bridge over Highway 54 in Peachtree City has been replaced
over the past month on the weekends. The city didn't seem to have any formal observance when the new bridge was reopened around September 15 so, I took matters into my
own hands.
I started in our very own library on how to throw a shindig for an overpass. There
wasn't too much on bridges in general and frankly I got a little buttress-envy reading
and seeing pictures on the Golden Gate in San Francisco.
I turned to Martha Stewart and found some help as she had party tips for galas including:
"Raising a Faith Healing Revival Tent," (Never jokingly ask the minister to heal
the chaffing dish), "Erecting a Mormon Barn," (Kerosene-oven Goat Pate' is scrumptious) and "Housewarming for A Returning Ex Con," (Fudge carved like little guns is always
a winner!!).
With food ideas set, I sent invitations to all my friends. Only the closer ones showed
up with most others saying it was just a bridge too far. We still had some fun though
sitting in our golf carts and sipping tea and eating sandwiches shaped like Meryl
Streep and Clint Eastwood. Then an artist friend Carl Chambers got up and recited,
"Ode to Bobby Joe," about the the kid that jumped off the Tallahassee Bridge.
After washing the tears from our eyes, we all sang, "London Bridges Falling Down,"
then "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and finished by whistling the theme from "The
Bridge over the River Kwai." A good time was had by all.
As the sun was dimming we christened the new trestle the "Brooklyn Bridge." Then someone
noted that name had already been used. I guess that is why it sounded so natural.
I suggested calling it, "just another construction project mandated into oblivion
by city hall" but, a high ranking city official jogging by accidentally elbowed me in
the gut and ended that sentiment. So after a bit more tea and a natural caffeine
high, we pulled out a second bottle of YooHoo and unofficially christened her, "Golf
Cart Bridge #2." Of course that name will probably not last when the bridge is given an
official designation. But, I will cross that bridge when I come to it."