Looks like we made it through the last century plus with a lot to appreciate in the US and Around the world, but of course, plenty to ‘rethink and take action’ to amend (again locally and around the world.)
We know now what we didn’t realize we should be thinking about and we’re starting to talk about it too!
To review the past 125 years in a rural part of CT see the archives online at Salisbury’s Scoville Memorial Library near the MA and NY borders (so near Millerton and Amenia NY with Metro-North Trains going to NYC along parallel to the Hudson Rail that runs from Poughkeepsie NY, Great Barrington MA and I-90 that leads right on over to Boston a few hours away.)
I recall the festive parades in Great Barrington and Pittsfield each celebrating their 250th anniversaries. That can be part of the highlights we recall even though a half hour and hour up Route 7 (Ethan Allen Highway) from the northwest corner of CT.
I cover some of the highlights of the wider area as well as in the six town the Lakeville Journal covers (Falls Village, North Canaan and Cornwall, Salisbury, Sharon and Kent) on my blog here, Livfully.org/wordpressblog/ as well as on Livfully.org where they are in chronological order (and livfully.medium.com which serves as a magazine of posts from many bloggers! Shout out of thanks to those who have inspired and informed me of the tech basics including my own kids who come write my first email many years ago, and which I stuck to as my only means of communication mainly to my family…)
It can ‘take a while’ to try something new in terms of wider social networking especially online for some so I have plenty of compassion for those who feel more fear than hope about trying new things whether for personal growth, business or another venture.
Since high school and even through the 1980s at Vassar, I struggled with writing and organizing ideas (still do when I’m really trying to convey a set of ideas and have to find time and ways to pull information together.) I hope anyone wrestling with ideas, whether in writing or speaking, trying to figure life out in general (or even a few days of managing projects, meals and errands etc) know that They Are Not Alone… There are more gizmos and shows about the pressures and ways to organize but it’s nice to know one’s not the first (and won’t be the last) to feel a bit overwhelmed and in need of support and planning. Crunch time is built into many programs to help people work reason.
We can toast other forms of communication and networking such as faith groups, clubs, public speaking (TED Talks and TEDx talks), youtube and Facebook, Toastmasters and Rotary media as well, including television, radio, movies and music and song.
It’s worth checking out what is offered from Folk Legacy Records which has much of its music online as it’s part of The Smithsonian now. Much of that was recorded in Sharon CT with the efforts of the founders Sandy (Charles Alexander) and Caroline Paton.
There are songs about everything under the sun and the blues fills many in on the news of being down and out or wanting things to go better. On NPR, National Public Radio, with the esteemed Terry Gross on Fresh Air interviewing people from many walks of life including writers and musicians, the songwriters of songs for The Supremes was interviewed about 15 years ago. A pair of brothers and another fellow with the last name of Dozier wrote ten of their top hits, sometimes drawing on real life phrases people in their lives shared…like ” You really don’t need me, (or love me…)You just keep me hanging on…” or on a brighter now, “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch…”
With the internet that could and can be easier, but it takes focus and ‘putting something down on paper’ to map out the basic ideas, get resources and find ways to keep track of the process and even the forums whether online or in folders (to share with others who may want or need to know things.)
But again we’re all ‘works in progress’ and hopefully joining forces now to help our planet, all of nature and more people around the world tune into the ‘top stories of the day’…climate change, equal rights for all, and sharing resources, educational and economic supports so we can make the most of our energy and time in a positive way.
I include plenty of other ideas and information as I was inspired to do so over the last decade, so I’m piggybacking the efforts of many who keep the grapevine alive and well.
I look ahead with many I hear from and ideas I put together as well to help improve the prospects for networking for good. See other posts for sites along those lines including ones working to protect the Maasai and Congolese of Africa such as globalcitizen.org.
The website for The Lakeville Journal of CT (one of the oldest independent newspapers that’s made the severe cuts and is now a non-profit model) is tricornernews.com.
While many of the towns in the area are over 250 years old in terms of when they were incorporated, the paper reflects the history of the northeastern part of the US and even the country as the industry and society transformed over the decades.
There will be some local events including those at SalisburyAssociation.org on August 14th from 10am to 4pm with outdoor activities all ages can enjoy.
Why not write up your own banner or poster to help celebrate what’s important to you and what you appreciate with your family and friends.
You can take a picture and share on social media or post around town (make a copy and you can do both!) There will also be special movies at the non-profit Millerton Moviehouse in Millerton NY and a patio cabaret at The Sharon Playhouse in Sharon CT on August 21st, 2022.
Time to celebrate the power of publishing and making the communities and states we are fortunate to be part of more friendly and tuned into caring and sharing!
Many thanks to all who have worked hard to keep the towns and businesses, schools and families and faith groups functioning and in most cases thriving! Here’s to making the most of the next 125 years on all fronts starting with the gifts in our hearts and minds at the start and end of each day and of course throughout the days and seasons of our lives. As one saying I learned from friends in Minnesota back in the 1990s says…”Life is fragile, handle with prayer!”