Carry it on | Letter

Published 2:18 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the Celebrate Pete Seeger Concert on March 16. The turnout and response were overwhelming and very heartening. The sound of our community, young and old, singing together in the Emmanuel Parish Hall was beautiful and inspiring.

Many thanks to all the local musicians who masterfully led us in singing: Cynthia and Craig Abolin, Cali Bagby, Antoinette Botsford, Carl Burger, Marc Cohen, Margie Doyle, David Densmore, Marlene Dickey, Bill Griswold, Bruce Harvie, Anita Holladay, Lesley Liddle, Martin Lund, Melinda Milligan, Randy Monge, Susan Osborn, Dave Roseberry, Ben Sheppard, John Sumrall, Dave Zoeller, Linda Ellsworth, Tom Rawson and the kids from the Salmonberry School, who totally blew us away. Stormy Hildreth, Molly Troxel and August Groeninger played ukulele and sang We Shall Not Be Moved. Lucia Weaver, Makar Ashirov, and Serafina Buck danced and acted out the story of Abiyoyo.

Many thanks to all those who brought snacks and helped with set up and clean up – you rock!!!

The concert was free, but we have a generous community. After covering the rental of the space, we had almost $500 in donations for our local Kwiaht/Indian Island Marine Health Observatory and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, founded by Pete and Toshi Seeger.

Some folks suggested this should be an annual event. Some suggested a monthly hootenanny. Either way, or something in between, ­we’re in!

There are many things we appreciate about our community. But knowing that so many on this island deeply value civil rights, safe working conditions, decent wages, a healthy planet, a world of peace, and great songs feeds our souls in a big way.

As Pete would say, “Carry it on!”

Sharon Abreu and Mike Hurwicz

Orcas Island