A few weeks ago the Dogwood Festival was ongoing here in the village. The festival celebrates the best the village has to offer and runs for a month. Blooms on trees and a parade. Famous people show up for the parade. All the local residents show up and the news crews are all out for live broadcasts. Can you possibly imagine anything better than that?

While out enjoying a meal at a local cafe I noticed a sign out of the corner of my eye indicating that Miss Virginia was going to be there that night for some event related to the parade. I didn’t think much more about it and was just enjoying a nice evening (needless to say some alcohol was in front of me). It was particularly enjoyable that night since no one was smoking in the outdoor dining area (it was still rather early in the evening).

A bit later I noticed one of the celebrities of the local media popped in to the cafe, and a few minutes after that a gaggle of women in fancy gowns arrived. The one at the center of the pack had a lovely yellow evening gown with a Miss Virginia banner. Wow. I chose the right evening to go out to eat. Celebrities were everywhere.

Miss VA, and her harem, went inside. A short while later they appeared again and had a seat at an outdoor table. I wasn’t complaining about the additions to my view. The evening was cool and no one was smoking. As that thought ran through my mind I noticed one in the harem of Miss Virginia reaching in to a purse and what did she pull out? A cigarette! Many in the gaggle lit up and began puffing away. Smoke began to envelope the region, and that was about it for dinner. I didn’t quite feel up to inhaling a carcinogen while eating some humus. Virginia smoked me out.

I guess Miss Virginia does represent the best of the commonwealth. Tobacco. As many in the gaggle sat there smoking I’m sure kids that walked by noticed. In their mind I’m sure they were dreaming that one day they can sit there representing the state. I think I can. Puff. I think I can. Puff. Puff.

Note: Due to the outsourcing of tobacco VA (like all other states) are slowly losing out on profits on the fine product. Luckily, garbage collection and the associated profits/benefits are taking over. Virginia is number 2 in the country in taking in garbage from other states. We love garbage. I guess in a few years Miss VA and her gaggle won’t be lighting it up, but will start carrying a few spare cans of garbage as they travel.