AND SO ANOTHER YEAR BEGINS

AND SO ANOTHER YEAR BEGINS by Barbara Biddison

What better way to begin than with an invitation?  For dialogue REGARDING BASIC HUMAN RESPECT.   That is what we did on Martin Luther King Day in the Wellsboro HS Auditorium on January 15, 2024.  We who sat there, facing a stage full of speakers and musicians, were glad that we had braved the wintery night to be inspired and affirmed.  We noticed at once that it was not Thomas Putnam who introduced the program, but all seemed to move forward without him.  (We learned that he was stranded in an airport, so we settled back to appreciate the evening.)

We had a fine evening of variety, spoken and sung, and I especially appreciated the addition of three county commisioners.  These men are newly elected, I'm guessing not well known to all audience members, and they spoke individually and appropriately (and briefly) for the occasion.  Others spoke to the "basic human respect' thoughts of the evening.  Pine Pitch sang "Because All Men Are Brothers" and HG Treble Choir sang "Hold On to Dreams" and we all learned and sang "Jordan River" and I still feel the sense of community and warmth of that
hour.

It was a lovely generous time. in an auditorium peopled with folk who wanted to be there.  I wanted to be there, and I was.  Those who couldn't come missed something special.  Another year begins. ​

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