WARNING TO READERS:  This column is not safe for persons prone to dizziness, those in frequent need of smelling salts or those with overall weak constitutions. Open this door at your own risk. CREEEEEK . . . .. .

    Hypnotic!  Spiraling circles! Spiraling, spiraling, spiraling. Out of control. Never-ending. Spiraling into the infinite universe inhibited only by small, sparkling lights. You’re traveling through another dimension – a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. It is the middle ground between light and shadow. A journey into a wondrous Park whose boundaries are that of imagination. The time is five minutes to 12 -- midnight. There is no more darkness. The place is Madison, Ga., in Town Park and this is the eve of a summer of light. Because even at midnight, it’s high noon. The hottest on record. And, you’re about to spend it with Momma . . . in  . . . The Twilight Zone.

    Ding dang! I can’t sleep! It’s hotter than a $2 pistol in here! And, who in the Sam Hill has left the front door wide open? I reckon I’d best get out of bed and see . . .SPIT FIRE! Momma’s done flown the coop! Do y’all hear that? Bongo drums at midnight! Oh. My. Gosh! Momma’s sleep walkin’! Y’all call the police while I go find her! What’s that up ahead at Town Park? Shasta! Momma’s dressed in a fairy Firefly suit dancin’ with  batons THAT ARE ON FIRE! Quick! Help me push Momma into the fountain! SPLASH!  SLAP!

    That’s right y’all! Get ready for the Slap Happy, Fabulously Funtastic Firefly Festival slated for Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31! Mark those calendars ‘cause this year it’s gonna be super fantastic! Ok so the first night, Friday, July 30 is open FREE to the public and Madison Main Street has booked that great band Glow and honey they’ll be performin’ all our favorite hits! The concert starts at 7 p.m. and lasst until 10 p.m.! The Madison Artist Guild will be holding their Twilight Plein Air Paint Out all evenin’ long! Ok and on the second night, Saturday, July 31 hold onto  your britches! This is gonna be a ticketed event and is only $5 per person or $20 for a family pass (up to six people)! Once in honey you’ve got a ticket for all kinds of children’s activities like the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon with tethered rides, inflatables, face paintin’, a movie under the stars and glimmer firefly tattoos by The Spa at the James Madison! FUN! I flat can’t wait! Hey and y’all be sure to thank Main Street Vet for being this year’s Main Stage Sponsor of the Firefly Festival! I’ll see all ya’ll there!

    Hey y’all don’t forget Movie Night this Friday, July 9 beginnin’ at dusk at Town Park! It’s sponsored by Madison Main Street and the very, very Yummilicious Ella’s Sweet Shoppe! Can’t wait to see that 1971 classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! Oh and Ella’s Sweet Shoppe, located across from Town Park is gonna stay open the entire time so we can enjoy delicious gelato and candy! Yum!

    And, speakin’ of Town Park I popped over to The Shops at the Icehouse Underground the other day located at 271 W. Washington St. in Madison and flat had a ball checkin’ out that cute new restaurant Underground Café owned by Jim McClain! DELISH! They serve deli and specialty sandwiches, wraps, Panini’s, soups and salads! Y’all head over there and check it all out! And, don’t forget to stroll along and visit all the cool, cool shops down there! Antiques, accessories, gifts, Icehouse Toys, Thoman Studio shop . . . I mean it’s fun to get lost down there! 
    Hey  and I popped on over to Rutledge the other day to visit Crossroads Antiques & Collectibles located at 124 Fairplay St.! This is a fun, cool new shop that specializes in all things antique and Americana! Honey they’ve got some great finds! I just love the old cash registers, the two original Brumby rockers from the 1930s, farm-related memorabilia like old milk bottles, old fashioned gas station signs and a really big bird cage! Oh and I really loved Eugene Swain’s wonderful painting of the cows at Baldwin Dairy Crossing! Crossroads Antiques is flat eclectic fun! Y’all get over there and check it out!

    Hey and while you’re in Rutledge, check out the newest shop Patricia’s Gifts at 106 East Main Street owned by Patricia Lucas! They’ve got these fantastic crystal door knock wine stoppers! I’ve flat got to get me one of them! Oh and they have really cute garden flags, mailbox covers and some beautiful colored glass hummingbird feeders! Check it out y’all!

    That’s it for the Buzz this week! Y’all be extra sweet, shop local and buy some full page ads in the Morgan County Citizen .