Monday, September 12, 2011

Farmers' Market drama


NOTE: This post was found in drafts today, written August 8th.  Sorry to be out of order.

I finally got out to the Farmers' Market at the Civic Center on Saturday morning. Came home with a small seedless watermelon, 6 ears of corn, a Carolina Gold tomato and some goat cheese. Happy. Nice experience. Lots of room for improvement, but I enjoyed it. Chatted with a handbell friend. Talked to a goat farmer. Purchased everything from a different vendor.

The controversy about relocating the market to a downtown location will be renewed on the 22nd. Today's paper announced a public meeting to unveil the conceptual drawings and budget estimates. I am NOT going to that meeting.

Busy September

LOTS going on in my community this month.

This past weekend we had a fabulous memorial event centered around The Wall That Heals, the traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial.  It started last Tuesday with a motorcycle rally escorting the traveling wall into town.  The wall was set up Wednesday on the Lander University campus and opened to the public on Thursday.  I first visited Friday afternoon with my friend Kelley and her 5 children, ages 10-3.  We intended to see the Black Hawk helicopter on the hospital front lawn, but got a late start and missed it.  It was interesting to be at the wall with her children, who were very well-behaved and respectful but of course knew nothing about this history.

Saturday there was a 5K Patriot Run, a military parade at noon, and other events around town, including a huge bike rally and car show.  Sunday, the 11th, there was a wreath ceremony at the wall, a ceremony recognizing veterans, police, fire and first responders like those who served and died ten years ago on September 11th, 2001.  The ceremony included the first Greenwood Hall of Heroes induction, which honored among others three men we have known personally - Senator John Drummond, Representative Marion Carnell, and Fuji co-worker Bill Arnett.

Alan and I visited the Wall just after the ceremony.  Sunday evening the weather was beautiful and graced by a full white moon.

There was also a concert Thursday night, a play about 9/11 at the community theatre this weekend, and a candlelight vigil at the wall Sunday night.

Thanks to everyone who helped put on this event to celebrate and remember those who pay the price for our freedom.

Coming up next, September 19-23, is Focus on Japan, part of Lander University’s Asian Initiative to open doors for student and faculty exchanges between Lander and colleges and universities in South Korea and China. The weeklong celebration will spotlight many aspects of Japanese life, education, business and culture, and Japan’s contributions to global development and also promote international goodwill and friendship among the people of Japan and the United States.  Activities include lectures on Japanese history and language; tea ceremonies; dance, martial arts and origami demonstrations; a fashion show; and more. There will also be an update on Japan’s recovery from the March earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and caused widespread destruction.

Opening September 15th at the Greenwood Community Theatre is Mornings at Seven, a play about 4 aging sisters in a small Midwestern town in 1938 - "loony, dysfunctional, dorky families bring humor and heartfelt family love to the stage."

Finally this month, barely, is the third annual Click646, a photographic event to celebrate and promote the art of image making.