A Bittersweet Grand Opening For New Fire Station

Well by now, you may have heard that there is a new fire station for the Little Meadows Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad. The Grand Opening was Sunday, May 1st. However for many it was bittersweet.

First of all, where did the word 'bittersweet' come from. It's amazing how many things come from the Bible that we do in our everyday life.

'Bittersweet' comes from Revelation 10:9. Give me the small scroll. Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.

Well what makes this a bittersweet event is that Chief Chip Barnum, who dreamed of the station, never got to see his dream come true. He died from complications of diabetes at the age of 38.

I knew the family well. Chip's father, Chuck "Goose" Barnum was the first guy that I ever got a hit off in men's softball. I was 14 years old playing at Howdy Jones ballpark in Little Meadows.

I'm a left handed batter and I "smoked" one down the LEFT FIELD line. I couldn't quite get around on his fastball and voted him the MVP every year after that.

I was the wedding DJ for Chip's sister, Jan's at her wedding. I was also a FB friend with Chip,

Chip will not be forgotten. There is a memorial to Chip outside the station. Members of his family say that if you really want to feel his spirit, just come inside.