Letters to the Editor September 22

Churches have a lot to offer

I am writing to invite the community to include church in their busy lives this fall. As students go back to school and activity schedules are set, don’t forget that area churches offer a variety of education programs for children of all ages, as well as adult study and prayer groups. Sunday morning worship provides a great opportunity for family time, as well as a context for important discussions about values and beliefs.

In addition, many of our faith communities undertake important service projects that address the needs of people in our town and around the world. Family participation in such efforts promotes a sense of purpose, builds compassion and brings the Golden Rule to life. Our community’s well-being depends on neighbors helping, and knowing, neighbors.

Please give some thought to your family’s participation in one of our area churches. I can promise that your lives will be transformed.

Rev. Diane Monti-Catania, Pastor

Congregational Church of Salisbury, UCC

Salisbury

New plays delight attendees

As newcomers to the Northwest Corner, we are learning more each season about the unrivaled opportunities to see (at modest cost) new plays from new playwrights.

Last season we saw “The Whipping Man” and “Freud’s Last Session,” both of which went to off-Broadway venues.

This year we saw “Best of Enemies,” another new play that especially resonated with us as we had lived in Durham, N.C., during the time the protagonists, a black civil rights activist and a Exalted Cyclops of the KKK, were active. It is enjoying a second run this fall at Barrington Stage and we recommend it unreservedly.

Saturday night we had another unrivaled opportunity: to be among the first to see “The Trial of Franklin Delano Roosevelt,” written by Edward Bernstein, a retired attorney, and directed by Macey Levin, known to many here as the co-founder of the Aglet Theatre Company and its artistic director.

Mr. Bernstein may be new to writing plays, but in Levin’s skilled hands the show, focused on a Holocaust survivor’s attempt to bring FDR to trial (all accomplished in heaven), the play literally knocks you over. Actually, it almost physically knocks you over as it is performed in the small New Stage Performing Arts Center in Pittsfield.

This run ended Sunday but you can be sure you’ll have the opportunity to see the play again in a local venue and maybe even off-Broadway.

Dr. and Mrs. William Kremer

Lakeville
 

Arts enrich our lives

Oscar Wilde said: “The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life.” TriArts believes it is an essential part of life, and most of you will agree you cannot overemphasize the importance of the arts in our lives.

We know the arts can enrich and indeed transform lives. But we also know that it takes more than love and magic to produce quality theater. Therefore, we are grateful to the many people who helped us keep the arts thriving at TriArts Sharon Playhouse.

This year, more than ever, I would like to thank our sponsors, our Angels, our donors, our advertisers, our housing hosts, our volunteers, our performers, our crew, our interns, our board and our staff for their support in keeping the magic alive.

Please accept a special thank you if you attended a show, a reading of a new work, or a concert at TriArts this summer, for without the audience there would be no need for anyone to mount a stage. Thank you for purchasing a ticket, for telling a friend, for bringing a child to a show and for coming back again.

 Long live the arts. Long live TriArts.

Alice Bemand, Executive Director

TriArts Sharon Playhouse

Sharon

Annual golf tournament a success

Everyone at Salisbury Winter Sports would like to thank all those who participated and sponsored our fourth annual golf tournament.

Also, thanks to the staff at Undermountain Golf Course for their great facility and hospitality. Sunday in the Country Food Drive provided the meals for the day and we are pleased to be affiliated with that group as nonprofits working together to benefit each other’s cause.

Thanks again. Hope to see everyone again next year!

Ken Barker, President

Salisbury Winter Sports Association

Salisbury

Sunday morning faith and sports

In the fall, many churches and synagogues resume classes in religious education and spiritual formation. The intention is that children will benefit from the instruction and the teaching of moral and ethical values in a caring setting.

Equally important, however, is that the faith communities themselves are brought to life and purpose through the presence of children. Children already have a great deal of spiritual vitality before we try to teach them anything. In fact, they have much to teach us. Sunday mornings constitute one of the few occasions during the week when families and communities gather to worship together and learn from each other.

Having played in both competitive and noncompetitive athletic activities, I fully appreciate how they can cultivate a lively and close community as well as build character. The mental, social and physical disciplines engaged are good preparation for life. Besides that, they are fun!

Having said that, however, I would like to petition the organizers of children’s sports programs to consider refraining from scheduling practices or games on Sunday mornings or other times in the week when religious communities gather. For most families it’s about an hour a week and a precious time.

At St. John’s we really miss our kids when they have other commitments. It “takes a village” and children are full members of our village.

John Carter, Rector, St. John’s Church

Salisbury

Thanks for help with Farm to Table

The Sharon Democratic Town Committee would like to thank everyone who made the Sept. 17 Farm to Table picnic on the Sharon Green a huge success.

More than 100 people came to appreciate the food raised and donated by our local farms and stores. Darin Hudson and Alex Hunter, Democratic candidates for the Sharon Board of Education, were on hand to talk about their campaigns as well as Marilyn Yerks, the Democratic candidate for representative to Region One.

State Rep. Roberta Willis and Speaker of the State House Christopher Donovan presented legislative citations of appreciation to Sharon residents Helen Humeston and Mike Silverman for service to the town.

Sharon Democratic Town Committee members grilled fresh hamburgers and hotdogs from Four Maples Farm, Cedar Hill Farm and Wike Farm. Tomatoes, potatoes and corn from Paley’s Farm Market, Daisi Hill Farm and Stone Wall Vegetables were put together for delicious salads. Harney and Sons generously provided a wide variety of teas and juices, and Jam Foods dropped off 100 cookies.

Thanks to St. Bernard’s Church for the tables and chairs, thanks to Marshall Miles and WHDD radio and thanks to everyone who came out to support our candidates.

Jessica Fowler

Sharon Democratic Town Committee

Sharon

Support for family is appreciated

We would like to thank all of our family and friends for their support at the time of our son’s and brother’s death. We would not have been able to function without them.

Thank you for all the food, flowers, tents, tables and cards sent. The amount of people who attended Kyle’s remembrance was overwhelming, and we’re sure he would have been astonished to see how many lives he touched and how missed he will be.

Living in this wonderful community certainly validates the truth of the phrase “It takes a village …”

Pat, Bob, Ian and Kevin Whelan

Sharon