There was a TV commercial in the 1970s that said, “You can’t fool Mother Nature.” She fooled us on the Fourth of July 2014. Due to the rains associated with Hurricane Arthur, this year’s parade and outdoor events on the Village Green had to be canceled.

Andover is very fortunate to have a rich history when it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July, which is now the traditional name for Independence Day. Andover residents, their families and friends, and countless others enjoy an annual celebration of a great parade, band concerts, a flea market, the library book sale, raffles, pie sales, a great fireworks display, and the list goes on and on.

These events do not just magically come together. We are very fortunate to have a few individuals who are dedicated to the town’s traditional celebration, and they work tirelessly throughout the year to make it happen. As disappointed as we all were when weather forced the cancellation, I’m sure they were disappointed, frustrated, and disillusioned.

Let this be a reminder. It is very easy to take things for granted, and we now know what it would be like without our annual celebration. So let’s all do three things:

• Remember to appreciate our freedom, not just on the Fourth of July but every day.
• Thank the Fourth of July Committee for their dedication and hard work.
• Make a commitment to the Fourth of July Committee to help in whatever way we can to assist with the 2015 celebration.

Let’s look forward to next year’s Fourth of July!