Just Musing: The growing use of Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (DORA)

I have a curious question this week. What are your thoughts on DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area)?

Do you see it as a way to roam a designated area with an adult beverage in hand to shop or window shop, to meet up with friends, to enjoy an adult beverage with your children present because you either couldn’t get a sitter or some children’s activities are offered in the DORA?

I’ve been following some comments on social media that run the gamut from highly recommended to what are you thinking taking your children with you. Some comments make sense and others have a haughty attitude of why would you stoop so low to introduce your children to such an environment.

I went to a DORA event last fall which included bounce houses and a mini petting zoo for children, a musical concert for adults and food trucks as well as extended business hours for most businesses within the DORA.

There was the presence of law enforcement and I saw many enjoying conversations with friends or family, children jumping and shouting with glee in the bounce houses and other children’s activities being offered. I did not see or hear any signs of a drunken brawl or other disturbances. I’m not promoting drinking as I believe that to be an individual preference. I do have a concern for the safety of children, though. Do they have a safe ride home if one or both parents have imbibed alcohol — especially if it was more than one drink?

Before you get in a huff, let me say I’m not against DORA or parents taking their children or even consuming alcohol in their presence.

I believe the concept is a newer version of the ice cream socials held in my hometown when I was growing up — a way to bring folks together for fun, food and fellowship.

About a week prior to the ice cream socials, members of the church I attended gathered up their ice cream freezers and usually ingredients they had agreed to provide, and we all met at the parsonage to begin the task of making gallons and gallons of ice cream. We kids would fight over turning the crank until it got to the point that dads had to take over to complete the task. The ice cream was transferred to a larger container and then taken to the local locker plant for hard freeze until the day of the ice cream socials. While we were busy outside, several ladies were inside making oodles of noodles to dry for the social. As I remember the menu, it was chicken and noodles, potato salad, shredded chicken and sloppy jo sandwiches, pies and cakes — all homemade from scratch. And of course, the ice cream. They were held in the middle of Main Street right downtown and no one complained about parking. Most families who lived in town walked so there was parking available for those who lived in the country. At least three churches in town had one during the summer and supported each other. Fun memories.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that officials have been looking for ways to revive their downtown areas. The concept of DORA came to fruition during the pandemic offering outdoor eating areas so folks could get out to socialize after being cooped up in their homes during quarantine. More ideas blossomed from that initial opportunity.

As we all know, whatever is done will not be met in agreement by everyone. I say kudos to those who have made those opportunities more family-friendly. I pray that parents who consume adult beverages have Plan B in place to get their children home safely. I’ll get off my platform now. Enough said.

Let me leave you with this quotation by John D. Rockefeller Jr. “I believe that every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity, an obligation, every possession, a duty,”

Until next week.

Brenda Donegan is a former Marion Star staffer. She may be reached brendadonegsn55@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Just Musing: Thoughts about Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas