Under the baobab: Reflections and tributes from the holiday season in Happy Valley
Sisters and brothers, much love to you all.
Happy Kwanza; Merry Christmas; Happy Hanukkah; let the bonfire of Lohri burn away all your worries; Happy 250th Birthday, America. I have been on earth for almost a third of the time that our country has existed. My ancestors preserved this land with their service, sweat and blood. They fought in her wars and died in her fields and factories. The American democracy exists because of the struggles of its people.
We are the people.
Most people die, leaving behind a void that is filled by memories, generated in the hearts and minds of loved ones. Other treasures like Mimi Coopersmith, Joe Paterno, the Palmers, Charles Blockson, the Rev. Dr. Donna King, and Tony Leach create institutions which endure in the community’s collective conscious. No matter what they call the field at Beaver Stadium, it will always be “the house that Joe built.”
Such was the experience of being in the Penn State School of Music’s Recital Hall last Friday for “Our Gift in Song,” the annual holiday program of Essence of Joy and Essence 2. The program was ably directed by Arreon A. Harley-Emerson. The late Tony Leach, who founded Essence of Joy, pervaded the hall like a fine, familiar incense. Accompanied by Carolyn Barr on piano, Neal Holter on bass, Jaden Adkins on drums, Jesse Moore on guitar, were readings by Sidona Robiel, president of Essence of Joy; Ann Marie Stanley, director of the School of Music; Associate Dean Darrin Thorton; Anisa Adkins, grad assistant for Essence of Joy; Debbie Harwell, president of Essence 2. Several solos included Little Joy, Janae Haas and others. There wasn’t a dry eye in the Recital Hall when the choirs greeted the audience with their traditional “Anticipation.” Thanks, Tony.
Elsewhere around town
Congratulations to John Homan, a WWII bomber pilot who was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest decoration in recognition of exceptional service in civil or military fields. Homan, who is 101 years old, flew 34 combat missions during the war.
The Next Stage Theatre Company announced its spring season, which will include: “A Walk in the Woods,” “Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast” and “Maytag Virgin” by Audrey Cefaly. The Center for the Performing Arts will present Drum Tao on Jan. 27 at Eisenhower Auditorium, which blends traditional Japanese wadaiko with modern energy and theatrical flair. The show has been seen by 10 million spectators across the globe. The State College Community Theatre presented “The Odyssey, A Spoof” directed by Tom Smith at the SCH Auxiliary Auditorium.
Reflections
Rest in peace Rob and Michele Reiner. I met Rob Reiner once, on the set of “Jumping Jack Flash.” He had come to support his ex-wife, Penny Marshall, who was directing her first feature. Whoopi Goldberg was the star, (only her second film role after “The Color Purple”). I had a small character role playing a cop. Reiner had directed “Spinal Tap” and “Stand by Me.” And of course, Rob and Penny had created iconic characters on TV, “Meathead” and “Laverne.” He was a stern and gentle advisor. He was a good person and great director. “I’ll have what she’s having,” “You can’t handle the truth,” etc. More importantly he and Michele showed us by example how to live as decent and courageous human beings.
To save democracy we are not called upon to be heroes, rather to live decent and courageous lives. The Montgomery bus boycott did not succeed because of Rosa Parks or Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. It was the hundreds, thousands, of people who walked to work every day for over a year.
“We came to see that, in the long run, it is more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation. We decided to substitute tired feet for tired souls, and walk the streets of Montgomery.” - MLK
Charles Dumas is a lifelong political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the U.S. Congress in 2012. He is a Lions Paw honoree. He lives in State College with his wife and partner of over 50 years.