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How many times do we promise “never to do that again” for some reason or another, and then time goes by and before long we’ve committed to do what we said we would never do again.

It happens. And it did to Harry Gorrell.

Producing a show is a big job but it seems that Harry got some energy back, and with a little push from friends, has decided to move right along with the eighth annual Boots, Fiddles and Blue Suede Shoes Spring Musical.

It will be held on June 1 at Eastern High School with impersonators of music icons to include the likes of Alan Jackson, George Straight, Buddy Holly and even my favorite, Elvis. The show is a community non-profit venture which has received tremendous support. I’m told about a thousand people attended last year’s show.

Tickets are now on sale and if you’re interested, just call Harry.

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Storyteller Donna Wilson is spending her first winter in Florida and enjoying every minute of it.

She’s gotten acquainted with some fellow storytellers down there and has the opportunity to spin a few tales of her own. She said she has a fire pit in the backyard, and whenever things get dull, she just starts up a fire and the neighbors gather in and the storytelling begins.

Donna will be coming home in April and is hoping to get something together for a summer children’s program like the Stories along the Water’s Edge which she ‘s done for several years under sponsorship of state and local groups like the Riverbend Arts Council.

As for the Tellabration event, Donna says that won’t be happening here this year. It’s usually held in November and by that time she plans to be back in Florida soaking up some sunshine.

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Remember before Christmas when you bought that beautiful poinsettia plant, and I suggested that properly cared for it could go right through Valentine’s Day, even longer, looking lovely.

I had been told that the longevity of a poinsettia is all about light and water — lots of light and a little water. I decided to give it a try.

So I placed my poinsettia in a plant stand near a dining room window so it would receive plenty of light and sunshine. Then every morning I give the pot a quarter turn so that all parts will be equally exposed to the light. As per the recommendation, I cut back to watering the plant only once a week regardless of how dry the soil is.

Let me say that my poinsettia, purchased two weeks before Christmas, looks as pretty as it did the day I brought it home.

I’ll give you another report come Valentine’s Day.

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It’s been eight years since the overflowing Ohio River put water into stores on Main Street in Pomeroy.

Then in March 2011, flood water moved onto the streets and then receded causing no damage.

Today (Friday) the river is rising, but there’s apparently no threat of a flood unless torrential rains come, and that’s not predicted.

The amphitheater and the boat docks are covered with water, the dip between the parking lots is full, and the river gauge shows a slow rise in the water level.

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Above my desk hangs a painting of a smiling giraffe which I look at every morning when I sit down to start the day’s work.

It was a gift to Bob many year ago who, as many of you will remember, always ended his Beat of the Bend column with a reminder to “Keep Smiling.”