I had the pleasure of attending the concert in Courtney Park Wednesday evening. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I had not attended the first of the series. I was by myself, and I had never heard the Gregson Brothers perform before.
I brought my blanket, a hat and my bug dope and hoped that I would spy someone to sit with. Lo and behold there was Michael Corey sitting all by himself and looking like he could use a date for the evening. We listened to some good music and talked cameras and students both of which we each have a passion for.
The band played my favorite two songs in the world; “Blue Bayou” by Linda Rondstadt and “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey. Those are songs from my teenage years, I sang in my car and roller-skated to those songs, there may even have been some lip syncing in front of the mirror involved as well. If you have not heard the Gregson brothers play, please find an opportunity, it is well worth it. I had heard from others how good they were but there is nothing like experiencing the sound for yourself. They have a song for everyone and a really nice way of connecting with the audience.
I brought my blanket, a hat and my bug dope and hoped that I would spy someone to sit with. Lo and behold there was Michael Corey sitting all by himself and looking like he could use a date for the evening. We listened to some good music and talked cameras and students both of which we each have a passion for.
The band played my favorite two songs in the world; “Blue Bayou” by Linda Rondstadt and “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey. Those are songs from my teenage years, I sang in my car and roller-skated to those songs, there may even have been some lip syncing in front of the mirror involved as well. If you have not heard the Gregson brothers play, please find an opportunity, it is well worth it. I had heard from others how good they were but there is nothing like experiencing the sound for yourself. They have a song for everyone and a really nice way of connecting with the audience.
There were lots of little ones at the concert. All of them to a one were having the best time playing in the park. They rolled down the hill, played tag and leap frog. They twirled till they fell down, got back up and did it again. The younger ones corralled the older students into spending time with them. This allowed the adults to kick back and enjoy the show. I even saw students playing Hacky Sack, yep. I think it is important to point out that all of the playing and running around was done without annoying the adults or affecting the concert. Not one adult had to reprimand a child and how cool is it that these children feel safe in their parks and school.
 Tag, you;re it | Rolling down the hill | Leap Frog |
Thank you Mike Corey for this It is a treat for me to see my students during the summer. I miss their hugs and smiling faces and what an honor for those precious little girls to choose me to save them from the rapscallion little boys running around. It was a different matter entirely when they tagged me it. I had to decline unless they were open to the it being a person who stood in place.
The crowd Adults wandered from group to group having a chat, stopping now and then to listen to a favorite song. There were adults in chairs, sitting in cars, curled up on blankets and wandering around chatting with others. There were families with children, couples with newborns, couples just starting out, singles like myself and Keith Iverson. (I’m taken, he’s not) Grandparents were present as well and there were guests that I did not recognize. Isn't it cool that people from surrounding areas are coming to Minerva for our events. I love that idea. We need to build on that.
Blair - Dustin - Barry There was such a nice moment at the concert. It just so happened that Dustin Griffen aka Wolfie G was having a birthday today. Not just any birthday mind you but his 18th birthday. An 18th birthday is a pretty important day in a child's / now adult’s life. Dustin chose to spend it here with his entire family watching the concert. The moment came when his Grandfather Blair and his Uncle Barry invited him up to play with them for the last two sets. I happen to know how Dustin feels about his music and that he understands the history behind it so for him to play with family was special for him. What a great birthday present.
They played Dobie Gray's Drift Away another of my favorites. It brought to mind the first time Dustin came to me in the library and asked if he could play for me. What an absolute treat. I still have him on video somewhere. I told him he sounded like a young James Taylor. Haha - he did not know who that was but kudos to him because he went and learned about him. He came back a few days later and said "I gotcha covered Mrs. Stone, learning some James Taylor” So I guess you could say there were two moments 1. Dustin was recognized by his uncles and I had a heart melty moment that I had just a little tiny something to do with this wonderful young man’s life.
They played Dobie Gray's Drift Away another of my favorites. It brought to mind the first time Dustin came to me in the library and asked if he could play for me. What an absolute treat. I still have him on video somewhere. I told him he sounded like a young James Taylor. Haha - he did not know who that was but kudos to him because he went and learned about him. He came back a few days later and said "I gotcha covered Mrs. Stone, learning some James Taylor” So I guess you could say there were two moments 1. Dustin was recognized by his uncles and I had a heart melty moment that I had just a little tiny something to do with this wonderful young man’s life.
The class of 2017 was selling strawberry shortcake and judging by the number of smeary red faces, I think they did pretty well in sales.
When you think about people asking where small town life went to, why families aren’t hanging out together enjoying a moment of general togetherness, or better yet, is living in the Park worth it? My answer is of course, Minerva. Come to Minerva, here is a place you can warm your feet by a fire, or cool them off in Minerva Lake. Minerva is a place where raising a family makes sense, a place where neighbors help neighbors, a place where children feel safe and cared for in school and town.
Moments take place here in Minerva which is just a stone’s throw from the bustle of the rest of the world. Quiet little moments that draw a smile to your face and give you the feeling that family still matters, that quality of life is important and happening in small towns like Minerva all over the U.S.A. Small town life is thriving; you just have to take a quiet moment to reconnect with it. My advice is to find a concert in a park, look for a town wide chicken barbeque and stop in for some quiet conversation. You might never leave.
When you think about people asking where small town life went to, why families aren’t hanging out together enjoying a moment of general togetherness, or better yet, is living in the Park worth it? My answer is of course, Minerva. Come to Minerva, here is a place you can warm your feet by a fire, or cool them off in Minerva Lake. Minerva is a place where raising a family makes sense, a place where neighbors help neighbors, a place where children feel safe and cared for in school and town.
Moments take place here in Minerva which is just a stone’s throw from the bustle of the rest of the world. Quiet little moments that draw a smile to your face and give you the feeling that family still matters, that quality of life is important and happening in small towns like Minerva all over the U.S.A. Small town life is thriving; you just have to take a quiet moment to reconnect with it. My advice is to find a concert in a park, look for a town wide chicken barbeque and stop in for some quiet conversation. You might never leave.
Come and visit, sit a spell, take us in, you'll love us.
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