← Speeches & Workshops

Pathway

Two days ago I watched CNN, then I listened to NPR…And believe it or not, it was the Journal Courier where I found my good news.. Did you read the letter by Officer Teresa Daniels? Dig it out of the trash and give it a read. She simply talked of one half hour in Jacksonville in which she escorted a funeral procession through town. She simply reported what she saw. Inspiring.

This is a good place. We make beautiful music together. Despite politics, despite Open Line, and despite the fact that we have more problems than answers, we still make beautiful music when we work together.

I’ve heard that a recent meeting of the symphony society there was some complaining about the Passavant Follies drawing away their crowd. Tonight night a play at the Theatre Guild runs opposite a play at Illinois College which is in competition with an organist for the McGaw Fine Arts Series. Right now Triopia is probably getting stomped by Routt right across town, and many of you can’t wait to get out here and watch the Cards win the World Series. So much happening in this little village on the Prairie.

I’ve found that anybody can make beautiful music. It’s the “together” part that most communities can’t pull off. Preparing for Fishhook Sunday school convention. Three-part harmony. Separate rooms. We sang pretty good separately. Together was a problem.

I received an email from a friend who sat at the Sat. night perf. Of the Follies. She had sat in front of a newcomer to town. Heard him tell someone, “This place is unbelievable! The symphony and this tonight, the races last night, and next weekend is really full.”

A friend moved to this area from another city..can’t mention or Decatur residents might be offended. He said, “Somebody asked me to attend a Kiwanis meeting.” Did they ask you to join? “Yea, and the Elks and Main Street Committee and Prairie Council on Aging.” He said, “When I retire I may have to move back to Decatur to rest. This town wears you out.” Making beautiful music together.

If you were a Kiwanis and I tied on string on your wrist and tied you to the other… Rotary, Pilot Club, Mason, Elks, Moose, KC, a contributor to Pathway, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, DAR, Historical Society, Prairieland Heritage, Cruise Night and on and on… Couldn’t walk two feet.

And none of these organizations can operate alone. Whenever I’m asked to speak in J’ville I just come up with a new speech. Chances are the audience at the Methodist Church will be much the same as the Chamber of Commerce who will resemble the Strawn Art Gallery group who look a great deal like the United Way. Keep it up. Keep getting worn out doing good things. Keep the music coming.