<![CDATA[CommUnity Zone - Blog]]>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 22:24:12 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Attorney General Todd Blanche]]>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:23:53 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/attorney-general-todd-blancheAs we all know, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General of the United States. Following the vote, members of Congress left Washington for the August recess.
Blanche previously served as Donald J. Trump’s personal attorney and later as a senior Justice Department official. His confirmation has drawn opposition from several progressive and democracy-focused organizations, which raised concerns about his independence and the potential relationship between the Justice Department and the president.
The Senate vote was not unanimous. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against confirmation. Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had previously expressed reservations about the nomination, ultimately voted in favor.
The circumstances surrounding the vote have prompted questions about what assurances or commitments may have influenced senators who had expressed concerns before voting for confirmation.
Following the vote, Donald K. Sherman, president and CEO of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), criticized the Senate’s decision. CREW had opposed Blanche’s confirmation and argued that the Senate should serve as an independent check on executive power. Sherman also raised concerns about the potential consequences for the independence and transparency of the Justice Department.
The confirmation raises broader questions about the role of the Attorney General, the independence of the Justice Department, and the responsibility of the Senate to provide oversight of the executive branch.  Already Blanche has issued memos favoring more executive privilege to withhold information and shield conversations from public view.  This action will enable the White House to defy congressional subpoenas.  Blanche has also been seen at a campaign event in New York for a Republican candidate for governor.  It is important to remember that the role of the US Attorney General is to ensure justice for all Americans, not just a favored few from one political party, or do a president’s bidding.  We should expect the Attorney General to follow the law and engaging in political activity as a federal official to influence an election is a violation of the Hatch Act. 
For citizens, these developments make it important to remain informed about the actions of government officials, understand how decisions are being made, and participate in the democratic process. Voting, contacting elected representatives, following legislative actions, and staying informed about changes to laws and government policy are among the ways citizens can remain engaged.
The issues surrounding this confirmation are ultimately questions about the institutions and principles that govern the country: the rule of law, separation of powers, governmental accountability, and the responsibility of elected officials to the people they represent.
And yet, we must remember that preserving our democracy is not only about what happens in Washington or at the ballot box. It is also about how we choose to live our lives amid all this. We can care for ourselves, protect our peace, and refuse to let fear and anger consume us, and be kind to one another. We can speak up when something is wrong, listen when someone needs to be heard, and continue to spread light wherever we can.  Maintaining our humanity is one of the most powerful things we can do. We cannot allow the darkness we are witnessing to take away our compassion, our hope, or our belief in one another. We may not be able to control everything happening in our government, but we can control how we respond. We can remain informed. We can remain engaged. We can remain kind. And above all, we can refuse to give up.
 
 

]]><![CDATA[Imagining a Better Future]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:44:31 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/imagining-a-better-futureOn this 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I found myself, like so many others, believing we are  drifting further away from a truly representative government and toward what some would describe as rule by a single individual. What has become of the three co-equal branches of government?
When I reflect on the courage of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, I am struck by the extraordinary risk they accepted when they penned the Declaration of Independence. They took a profound leap of faith that the American colonies would prevail in the Revolutionary War. Had Great Britain emerged victorious, they would have been branded as traitors to the Crown and faced execution by hanging.  What better time in our history do we need to undertake this bold re-visioning? 
I've participated in many protests focused on declaring what we oppose. While those voices have been important, I believe it's time for us to pivot toward gathering in demonstrations that express what we stand for.
We need to find the language to clearly articulate the future we want to create. Rather than defining ourselves solely by what we reject, let us come together around a shared vision of the values, principles, and possibilities we hope to build for ourselves and for generations to come.
 
Imagining a Better Future
Imagine a future where neighbors know one another, children grow up believing opportunity is within reach, and every person feels their contributions matter. A future where we spend less time divided by our differences and more time united by our shared hopes.
In this future, communities are places where people lend a helping hand, businesses thrive through innovation and hard work, schools inspire curiosity, and public spaces bring people together. Families can build secure lives, seniors are respected for their wisdom, and young people are encouraged to dream boldly.
Progress isn't measured only by technology or economic growth, but by stronger relationships, healthier communities, cleaner and safer neighborhoods, and the confidence that tomorrow can be better than today.
This vision begins with simple acts of kindness, responsibility, and cooperation. It grows when people listen before judging, solve problems together, and recognize that lasting change is built one conversation, one neighborhood, and one generation at a time.
A better future isn't something we wait for. It's something we create—through courage, compassion, creativity, and a shared commitment to leaving the world better than we found it.
The future we imagine is one where hope is stronger than fear, possibility is greater than doubt, and every person has the chance to contribute to something larger than themselves. Together, we can build communities that are resilient, welcoming, and full of promise for generations to come.
 
Given this imagining, here is what a better future might look like
In a world built on trust, cooperation, and shared purpose, we might see:
  • Neighborhoods where people know one another by name and look out for each other's well-being.
  • Safe streets where children can play, ride bicycles, and explore with confidence.
  • Schools that encourage curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
  • Workplaces that value innovation, integrity, teamwork, and personal growth.
  • Thriving local businesses that strengthen communities and create meaningful opportunities.
  • Parks, libraries, and gathering places that are welcoming to everyone.
  • Cleaner air, healthier waterways, and communities that care for the natural world.
  • Reliable infrastructure that connects people safely and efficiently.
  • Affordable access to nutritious food, quality healthcare, and educational opportunities regardless of one’s socio-economic status.
  • Technology that helps people solve problems while respecting human dignity and privacy.
  • Communities that celebrate art, music, history, and cultural traditions and make those things available to everyone regardless of somebody’s socio economic station.
  • Volunteerism and civic engagement becoming ordinary parts of everyday life.
  • Differences approached with curiosity instead of hostility, making room for respectful dialogue.
  • Families supported by strong community networks and meaningful friendships.
  • Older generations sharing wisdom while younger generations bring fresh ideas and energy.
  • Scientific discoveries improving health, sustainability, and quality of life.
  • Public spaces designed to encourage recreation, connection, and accessibility.
  • Businesses, organizations, and individuals working together to solve local challenges.
  • A spirit of optimism that encourages people to invest in future generations.
  • A culture where success is measured not only by personal achievement, but also by how much we help others thrive.
  • The success of any politician is measured by how much they improve the lives of the people for which they serve.
  • All money is absent in politics.
  • Limited advertising and more available information about each candidate.
  • Fact-checking all rhetorical statements.
  • Term limits for the Supreme Court and all seats in the House and the Senate.
  • Get rid of the Electoral College and allow the people to decide who our  representatives will be.
  • Get rid of all gerrymandering 
 
Above all, such a future would be characterized by hope and trust in our system of government. People would wake each day believing that their actions matter, that their voices can make a difference, and that working together can create opportunities greater than any one person could achieve alone. It would be a future where compassion and responsibility exist side by side, where progress benefits communities as well as individuals, and where each generation leaves a stronger foundation for the next.
 
When I Think About Strengthening Our Democracy
As I reflect on the future of our democracy, I find myself imagining reforms that, in my view, could help restore greater public trust and confidence in our system of government. I do not pretend to have all the answers, but these are ideas I believe are worthy of thoughtful public discussion.
I wonder what might happen if we found ways to reduce—or perhaps even eliminate—the influence of money in our political system so that elections became contests of ideas rather than contests of fundraising.
I would like to see public officials judged less by political victories and more by the positive difference they make in the lives of the people they serve.
I believe voters would benefit from less political advertising and greater access to balanced, factual, and easily understood information about every candidate and every major issue.
I think our democracy would be strengthened if significant public claims made during campaigns and while in office were consistently and independently fact-checked, allowing citizens to separate verified facts from opinion and rhetoric.
I believe it is worth considering whether term limits for members of Congress—and perhaps even for Supreme Court Justices—might encourage fresh perspectives while preserving institutional stability. Reasonable people can disagree on where those limits should be or whether they should exist at all, but I believe the conversation is an important one.
I also believe we should continue examining whether our electoral system best reflects the will of the people. That discussion could include questions about the Electoral College, voting access, and other aspects of our election process. While there are differing opinions on these issues, I believe they deserve thoughtful, respectful debate.
Likewise, I believe Americans across the political spectrum share an interest in ensuring that legislative districts are drawn fairly. If we can reduce or eliminate partisan gerrymandering, voters may have greater confidence that they are choosing their representatives rather than the other way around.
Ultimately, I hope we can create a political culture in which disagreement is not viewed as disloyalty, compromise is not seen as weakness, and every citizen feels that his or her voice truly matters. My hope is not for one political party to prevail over another, but for our democratic institutions to earn the confidence and trust of the people they were created to serve.
 
]]><![CDATA[July 21st, 2026]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:40:58 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/on-this-250th-anniversary-of-the-signing-of-the-declaration-of-independence-i-found-myself-like-so-many-others-believing-we-are-drifting-further-away-from-a-truly-representative-government-and-toward-what-some-would-describe-as-rule-by-a-single-indi]]><![CDATA[Reflections: "The War in Ukraine: Present and Future" with Denys Sharpylo" (4/19/25)]]>Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:34:52 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/reflections-the-war-in-ukraine-present-and-future-with-denys-sharpylo-41925
On Saturday, April 19th, CommUnity Zone had the pleasure of hosting our friend Denys Sharpylo for an insightful discussion about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Denys is a student at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, in his junior year studying Quantitative Economics and Data Analytics. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Denys has been in the US for six years attending boarding school and now college.

To start our conversation, Denys shared some background information about how he got to PA, his family, and his studies at Dickinson. Two of his classmates accompanied him to the Zone! The bulk of our time together was spent talking about the current situation in Ukraine. Denys' knowledge of the situation is vast and detailed. He gave suggestions for a variety of news sources to follow for accurate information, including Reuters. 

Denys gave a variety of suggestions for how Americans can support Ukraine: 
  • Buy products from Ukrainian businesses! Denys remarked that he recently purchased a new backpack from a Ukrainian company. Supporting businesses in the country is essential to their resilience and independence. SpendWithUkraine has some great options.
  • Follow Ukrainian media, including 1+1 Media. They have reporters on the ground covering the everyday situation accurately.
  • Call your legislators to encourage their support of Ukraine and demand for Russia to sit down at the negotiation table with Ukraine. Denys pointed out that Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire discussion that has yet to be answered by Russia. Find your legislators and their contact information here.
  • If you're able, donate to aid organizations on the ground in Ukraine, including the United Nations Crisis Relief fund.

The CommUnity Zone is incredibly thankful to Denys Sharpylo for spending time with our community on the 19th. Special thanks to the Kristjanson-Gural family, too, for connecting us with Denys and helping "market" this event. 
]]><![CDATA["My Soul Looked Back and Wondered" on November 17th!]]>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 19:41:26 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/my-soul-looked-back-and-wondered-on-november-17th
Picture
JOIN US! On Sunday, November 17th at 1pm.
Tickets are available at: linktr.ee/communityzone.

CommUnity Zone, in collaboration with Gaspipe Theatre Company proudly presents an evening of remembrance, celebration, gratitude, and a heartfelt call for unity through our production of “My Soul Looked Back and Wondered.”

This play is a tribute to the triumphs and enduring strength found in Black history, a recognition of Gaspipe Theatre’s remarkable achievements, and a celebration of the resilience and solidarity within our community. As we journey through this production, we will reflect on the past while looking forward to the future, honoring those who have paved the way and the events that have shaped our collective memory.

We  will be honoring folks from the precious production we did in 2016 who we have lost including Derek Scott, author of this play, former cast members Thaddeus Davis and Denise Guinn-Bailey, and company members, Bernadine Jones and Joan Long. We will also pay tribute to the countless Black lives impacted by injustice. This performance is for them and for all whose lives have touched us.

We are reminded of the importance of love and support from others in achieving our goals throughout the year. As November fades and 2024 draws to a close, we find ourselves filled with gratitude for those who have made a difference. This year, the potential and need for unity is greater than ever. Through collaboration, synergy, and a shared vision for the future, we see the possibility of co-creating a world where each of us plays a vital role. Now is the time to unite and contribute to building the world we aspire to live in.

The CommUnity Zone produced this play in 2016 at the Campus Theatre as well.  The message of this play, My Soul Looked Back and Wondered is not just a look back but it represents yet another inflection point in our world.  We are living at a time when violence and division is being stoked by some of the leaders of our country right now. Nothing seems to be out of bounds or off-limits. The more inflammatory, the better.  That language has been magnified and
sensationalized online and it is fostering an atmosphere that permits — even encourages -- violence that will echo long after this election is over. Perhaps by looking back to see what human beings are capable of, it may spur a new day of realizing we have more in common than we realize. Obviously, we can’t go on like this as a society. We’ve got to turn the temperature down in this country and perhaps a look back might wake us all up. We, at the CommUnity Zone believe we can turn this negativity around and will be offering opportunities for our citizens to participate in something positive. What follows is a blurb about our next project we are looking to do in 2025.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to:
The teachers who guide us.
Those who risk their safety to protect ours.
The helpers in every corner of this nation and beyond, who lift the weight from others’ shoulders.
The artists who move us to laughter and tears.
The unsung heroes working in the shadows, whose efforts bring light to the world.
Friends and family who offer support in times of struggle and heartbreak.
]]><![CDATA[From Erin's Desk: It's hiking time!]]>Wed, 01 May 2024 20:15:20 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/from-erins-desk-its-hiking-timeHi everyone! This is Erin, the new Media and Technology Coordinator with the CommUnity Zone. I'm excited to bring back the CommUnity Zone blog. I hope that this will be a great space to share news and stories. 

Happy May! It's starting to feel more like summer out there, so I thought I would share with you three easy walks and hikes around the Susquehanna Valley that I recommend for the weekend:

Dale's Ridge Trail 1471 Strawbridge Road, off Route 192 west of Lewisburg
Dale's Ridge is a great beginner hike for those wanting to explore nature and see some beautiful views. I've had great experiences doing this trail with friends and family in a variety of weather. Most of the trail is nicely shaded, which provides some shelter from both the sun and those unexpected spring drizzles. 
Picture
The beautiful view from the Dale's Ridge trail!
Shikellamy State Park Marina 401 Bridge Ave in Sunbury
This path is a great flat, accessible trail for an easy walk any time of the day. In the summer, come early in the morning and you may see the crew rowers out on the river. Just be mindful of potential closures due to flooding- it's an island after all! 
Picture
Have a picnic after your walk at the Marina.
Explore Downtown Lewisburg! 
As someone who doesn't live in the borough, I love to simply walk the sidewalks of Lewisburg. I'm a big fan of all things architecture, so seeing the historic buildings is especially exciting to me. Stop by the Union County Historical Society in the former Packwood House and grab a historic buildings tour map to assist in your house-spotting.
Picture
A great photo of downtown, courtesy of our officemates at the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership.
What are some of your favorite hiking and walking spots? Leave a comment- we can create a list for our community to enjoy! 

Happy weekend walking,
​Erin
]]><![CDATA[The Trouble with Tribes]]>Tue, 13 Jun 2023 19:03:24 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/the-trouble-with-tribesThis piece originally published in the Daily Item, Lewisburg, PA, on Sunday, June 11th, 2023.

In recent years, amid uncertainty and social unrest, I’ve heard a curious word cropping up. In my youth, I remember hearing all about our global world, our connected society, and the importance of focusing on our similarities above our differences. But recently, it seems there’s a growing movement toward talking about ‘tribes.’

Usually this comes in a positive message focused on notions of connection and solidarity. You can search the phrase ‘find your tribe’ online and discover one article after another on the topic: How to find your tribe in 5 simple steps, what steps you need to take, myths and realities about the process. These range all the way from mental health blogs and simple entertainment to career platforms and psychology sites.

This idea of the tribe has become a shorthand for describing friends who last through adulthood, or groups of people with whom you can share some common experience or identity. The term is used to refer to interactions and relationship: our school, our work, our hobbies, and our self-identities all place us into tribes. And I certainly agree that it can be a wonderful thing to feel connection and togetherness with others based on all these facets of a life.

But I’m a writer at heart, and as part of that, I pay attention to the nuances of words and their use. It’s generally agreed that the English language contains over a million words, so I find it both meaningful to pick the right one, and fascinating to consider how people use those words. When a particular word finds purchase in our collective consciousness and discussions, it’s all too easy to miss its context and meaning, and how that influences the ideas the word is used for.

The word ‘tribe’ has a complex history. In English, it gained prominence through its use as an anthropological term. It fell out of favor with many anthropologists alongside the theory of unilateral cultural evolution; that is to say, when we realized not every culture develops in the same way, we started challenging the words we’d used to describe that idea.

But the word, and the trouble I have with its meaning, dates back long before European settlers used it to describe indigenous peoples. As according to Encyclopedia Brittanica, it comes directly from the Latin tribus, which referred to a unit of the Roman state. The first Roman tribes were divided along ethnic lines. Later, they were based more on localities, but eventually, even geography no longer played a part. To some extent, though, socio-economic class always did. And while the tribes’ significance and usage varied through the Republic and Empire, they were always a method of grouping - and dividing - the population.

These origins very much carried into tribe’s anthropological meaning. The smallest division of human society recognized for a long time was the concept of ‘bands.’ These are groups of relatively few people, usually no more than 30 to 50, who live together and cooperate as equals in nearly all social behaviors: subsistence, caring for those who need care, protecting one another, and carrying out any societal rituals. When we think of an idyllic, simple life with the ones we love, this is what we probably envision.

Tribes are another step up the chain of societal development and size. Even if the theory of unilateral cultural evolution has been disproven, the words and their meanings linger as shorthand descriptors. And under that shadow, tribe means not just a larger gathering of individuals. Tribe means having a name for the group, to differentiate themselves from outsiders. Tribe means constructing a social hierarchy, where some members wield more power than others, and can direct the efforts and actions of the group.

Tribes are the level at which groups usually develop agriculture. It’s also the level at which people begin to practice warfare against one another.

Words have a great deal of power. That power can change over time, but it takes time, and conscious effort to change the way we use them.

So if you say you want connection, or friends, or bonds, I agree. But be wary of retreating to a tribe.
]]><![CDATA[Brian's Story Corner: On Things]]>Wed, 05 Jan 2022 19:52:41 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/brians-story-corner-on-thingsDespite the things I own – some of which are, admittedly, fairly expensive and relative luxuries – I’ve never considered myself to be a particularly material person. I like having the things I have, and I’m more than willing to spend the money it takes to have them: a phone with a good camera, a computer powerful enough to do everything I want as fast as it can, ad-free music.
 
But once I have those things, I’m content. I don’t throw away every old thing, but neither do I hoard. I’ve never been one for the rat race, never felt motivated simply by the opportunity to acquire more (perhaps somewhat to the chagrin of my family, or at least some of them, who don’t always understand that lacking desire).
 
I admit I have shared in what seems to be a generational fantasy of my peers, one that is, perhaps, borne out of necessity or desperation or simple acceptance: A romanticizing of minimalism, of what would more realistically be called squalor or even homelessness. Would I actually sacrifice a comfortable home and the amenities I currently possess? Probably not. But I hope you’ll forgive my saying – and I am not alone in saying it – that, from a distance, there is something alluring about living with very little, in a small apartment over a store, or in a one-room cabin on a wooded hill, or in a large vehicle comfortable enough to sleep in.
 
My point is this: I don’t feel like I have any particular want for things in general.
And yet: As I suspect many people do, I find myself and my family’s home inundated with things.
 
And, in a material, industrial world, this should come as little surprise to anyone, even those who try their best to avoid gathering such a collection of stuff. It has become the natural state of us. Maybe it always has been. Maybe it traces back to our earliest roots, of hunting and gathering to survive the long days and harsh nights. We huddled together for warmth in the darkness, and the things we were compelled to acquire were what kept us alive. Now we lounge in luxury undreamed of by our ancestors, but something in the memory of our genes compels us still. Hunt. Gather. Get. Keep. An obsolete instinct we have yet to escape, despite our best conscious efforts.
 
Some of the things we have are our own, what we have taken for ourselves, by money or circumstance. As I said above, I own a fairly nice computer, with accoutrements, which I purchased over several years with earnings from the jobs I’ve had in that time. These are supported currently by a lovely old writing desk that I claimed from a house a friend bought, left behind by the woman who sold it as she had no longer any need for the thing.
 
Many more of our belongings, I suspect, are given to us. I have bin upon bin and box upon box of books, as most writers probably do, many of which I have not so much as opened in years. Some I purchased myself, but if I were to trace their origin, I believe most were gifts: birthdays, holidays, ends and beginnings of school years, simple gestures of kindness and generosity. Two novels, purchased for me from a used book store by my Fiction professor my freshman year of college; trilogies and longer series of fantasy, given as I grew up and realized what I wanted to do with my life; a more-or-less complete collection of Calvin and Hobbes, acquired after I discovered that wonderful comic in my youth.
 
Returning to that romantic fantasy of the minimal life, sometimes I consider that I might reduce my belongings to what would fit in my car, that I might be able to move freely from place to place without concern for trucks or vans or movers. But the books alone would fill my sedan, pack the seats and trunk and leave room for precious little else. Could I lighten my load, donate these volumes to friends, family, or a public library? In spite of my claim to an immaterial nature, I doubt it. I’ve gone through my library with each move I’ve made – to college, home again, to Virginia, home again – and each time, it barely shrinks.
 
And my family and I have far older possessions still. Antiques and heirlooms, hand-me-downs and memories that take the form of physical things. The room my great-grandparents shared still holds some of their clothes, and my Grampa Jack’s belongings from the second World War still rest in his old dresser and a box in the attic. The attic of the old family barn is filled with furniture and belongings that gather dust atop the memories; each piece is a relic that goes untouched, but its origin easily recounted if anyone asks.
 
These are the most indicative of how we gather our things, how the sediment of lives lived hardens into basements and closets and attics and boxes and spare rooms. Not everything is a sentiment, but everything is a story. An event held. A milestone passed. A goal achieved. A choice made.
 
I have my diploma from college in its leather case. A letter from my 10th grade AP Government teacher, thanking me for a wonderful year (in our tiny, intimate, and wonderful class of 6 students) and presented with a picture from our class’s outing to meet State Senator Gene Yaw. A scrapbook made for me by my classmates in Massachusetts when I moved 300 miles away.
 
I have clothes that I remember receiving, but which hold no special significance. I have bins of art and craft supplies from hobbies I no longer pursue. I have video game cartridges for systems that no longer exist, which can no longer even be played.
 
I do not necessarily want all of these things. I do not seek them out, would not fight tooth and nail against their taking. Some of them I’m sure I will give away, whenever next I catalog my belongings and choose only what I truly want to take with me into the next chapter of life.
 
And what I leave behind?
They will become new memories, new things, for someone else.
 
Here at the CommUnity Zone, we’re no strangers to building memories – and gathering things all the while. As we prepare for our own move into a new chapter and new space at the end of the month, we’re looking to share those memories with all of you. Stop by our office during our regular office hours to take whatever you like from our giveaway, and check our social media for some pictures of what we’re offering. It’s all free for the taking, first come-first served!
]]><![CDATA[Brian's Story Corner: Nostalgia of the Unknown]]>Fri, 10 Sep 2021 19:30:41 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/brians-story-corner-nostalgia-of-the-unknownAs a writer, I put a lot of stock in language and the power of words. I went to school for four years with the express purpose of learning how to better use those words and that power. I don’t dare to imagine I’ve become a master of language by any means, but if nothing else, that education enabled me to think critically and deeply about the English language.

How is it that these words have so much strength? I am able, through the use of words – whether as vibrations in the air, ink on a page, or pixels on a screen – to transmit thoughts from my mind into yours. It’s an incredible thing, but even then, it has its limitations. We need those words to have meaning, and sometimes, meaning fails us, at least in our own language.

For an example, a musing on emotion that’s been on my mind quite often, lately: What do you call a nostalgia for something you never had?

I don’t know how universal a feeling this might be. I know I’m not alone in the experience: You can look up that very question and find others searching for an answer. I imagine I’m not alone in the sources for that feeling, either. Songs are a big factor, whether folk melodies or sea songs like I talked about some weeks back, or even very modern, heavier tunes with history as a focus.

My roots in New England do give me some connection to the history and culture of sailing and seafaring, but I hope you’ll forgive me when I admit it’s only a vague, geographic link; I did not grow up in a coastal town, did not experience family members plying their livelihood on the waves. Why, then, do I feel such sadness – such grief, such loss – from songs like Stan Rogers’s “Free in the Harbour?”
I have always lived, naturally, in a modern world, and in a country that is not directly plagued by war. There is no conflict which has called me or any member of my family to take up arms and fight and die in the name of God. So when I listen to “A Lifetime of War,” what is it in Sabaton’s instrumentation and lyrics – telling the story of a war fought centuries ago in a nation I’ve never been to – why does it feel like such a personal story, even in a language not my own?
What word can we use, what power can we lend, to explain such wistfulness, such longing for a thing we have never known, a thing we never could know?

There is a Japanese term, mono no aware. It translates literally as “the pathos of things,” or “an empathy toward things.” More meaningfully, it embodies the concept of an awareness of the impermanence of the world: the temporary nature inherent to everything, the knowledge that experiences and objects cannot last. There’s an emotional element that’s part of the idea: a sadness at the passing of these things, and a deeper, gentle sadness at the simple reality of the concept itself.

The Welsh word hiraeth has no direct English translation. It’s a word deeply centered in the experience of being Welsh, in the culture and history – and the loss of those very things – of Wales and her people. It’s been likened to some sense of yearning, a desire to return to a past that can’t be reclaimed. Translated literally, its closest meaning would be “long gone.” In this very word, I find again the sensation I seek to name: a profound sense of something lost, something once valuable and important that I no longer possess. I’ve never been to Wales.

The Germans, who have many useful words for concepts English has left unnamed, refer to the emotion of sehnsucht. This, too, has imperfect translations: longing, desire, craving. Psychologists have researched this meeting of conscious thought and subconscious feeling, trying to identify its core, trying to determine if it is a uniquely German experience or a more universal aspect of humanity. The research has been inconclusive, as it seems likely that culture plays its part in how we consider ourselves and our position in the wider world. But the sehnsucht is there, it seems: an ambiguous sensation of desires that will never be sated, of ideals for a world we cannot create.

And the Portuguese call something by the name of saudade. This is, perhaps, the closest word for the sensation we cannot name, and yet the broadest in how the word is used. Saudade is a type of music, a style of writing, a foundation of artistic endeavor. It is a melancholy, an aspect of love, a type of sadness, an almost incomprehensible mixture of feelings. It is a historical experience, grounded in the rise and fall of Portugal as a world power, and the identity Portuguese speakers struggle to find in a modern world. It is a universal idea, a longing for something that cannot be found – for something that, perhaps, never existed at all, except in the mind of the sorrowful soul who goes without.

I don’t mean for this blog post to be depressing, because the feeling itself isn’t entirely a bad or sad one. It’s bittersweet. There is a great sadness in the recognition of something lost, something that cannot be regained, something that you never had and never will. But there is something powerfully good in that realization, as well. The humanity of that feeling, that longing, is a reassurance.

And just as every sadness has its joy, if we can feel the sorrow of a loss we never experienced, so too can we feel the wonder of triumphs not our own.

We can turn again to Stan Rogers: I’ve never been part of anything even similar to the sinking and raising of a ship, but I feel the elation and pride of “The Mary Ellen Carter” as surely as any of the sailors in the song. And I’m sure that if you listen, you’ll feel the same.
]]><![CDATA[Zone Update: Projects Galore!]]>Wed, 11 Aug 2021 19:15:23 GMThttps://www.communityzonelewisburg.org/blog/august-11th-2021It’s been busy!

That’s not the ONLY reason we haven’t had a blog post in a couple of weeks, but it’s a major one. The idea of this blog is to share stories and updates on the Valley and the Zone, but sometimes the things we intend to update you all about are so big and exciting – and time-consuming – that we don’t have the chance to actually do the updating! So this week, our focus is on just sharing here, in one spot, all the amazing projects we’re working on.

LIVE! FROM LEWISBURG AND THE VARIETY SHOW

The summer isn’t over yet, and we want to keep the spirit of the season going as long as we can. Since June, we’ve been heading up free community concerts with the Live! from Lewisburg series, taking place down at the Piers off Market and 5th Streets behind the Siam Restaurant and Café. It’s a beautiful grassy area, and the summer evenings have been perfect for throwing down a blanket or unfolding a chair and taking in the music.

It’s hard to believe that half of our summer concerts are over, but that just means that half of them are still to come! On August 18th – that’s a week from today! – the Piers will play venue for The Blues Creakers and Hannah Bingman. And the final performance will be courtesy of Lockport Drifters on September 8th. That’s a Wednesday both of those days, and the concerts are free for anyone to come by and listen in; shows start at 7 PM and run for about two hours. Every night’s been comfortable and excellent. If you want to know more, check out our page on the series for pictures and videos from the latest concert!

At the same time, we’re extending the spirit and excitement of these live performances beyond the summer and into the fall. Working in collaboration with the Campus Theatre and the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership, we’re thrilled to be hosting the inaugural Live from Lewisburg Variety Show! this fall on November 21st.

The Variety Show is going to be an incredible, unique, and all-around FUN night of performance, and after the first showing it’ll continue as a monthly event. Live music, or dance, or spoken word, or even actual dog-and-pony acts: we’ll have a little of everything, since it’s a showcase of all the talent around the Susquehanna Valley. It’s a lot to bring together, and we can’t wait for how amazing it’s going to be.

If you’re as excited for the Variety Show as we are, make sure to like it on Facebook and tell your friends and family about it, too! And if you want more info on the show – and maybe even want to audition to take part in this spectacular performance – make sure to visit the official website!

JEWELRY SALE WITH UNION COUNTY CONNECT

In the more immediate future, we’re gearing up to host a joint fundraiser with Union County Connect, one of our newest nonprofit partners in bringing support, art, and joy to our local communities!

Starting on Tuesday, August 24th, and running each day that week through (and including) Friday the 27th, you can stop by the CommUnity Zone office on Market to check out the jewelry sale we’ll be holding! We’ll have a wide range of pieces in a few different styles, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. It’s also a great chance to chat with Farida Zaid about UCC and what they’re up to, and to chat with yours truly about what we’ve got going on here at the Zone.

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY TIME BANK

Short one, here, but hopefully you can forgive that in light of everything else! We’re still dedicated to getting the Time Bank up and running again, but with all of our other projects, it’s on a bit of a side burner at the moment. Don’t worry, we won’t let it go cold, but some projects are like a steak you want to pan sear with a lot of quick heat, and some get the slow roast treatment, simmering and absorbing all sorts of flavor until they’re tender and –

Maybe I just need to grab some lunch, but the metaphor’s gotten away from me. In any case, we’re figuring out next steps with the Time Bank, and as part of that, we want to hear from you! If you’re interested in being part of the project, especially in any sort of leadership role, let us know – the jewelry sale is a great chance to stop by!

LEWISBURG IN LIGHTS

That’s right: the lights are coming back! Last winter the town was lit up like never before, and this winter we want to do that again and make the display even more spectacular and uplifting. More lights, more designs, more variety… which all means, more people! We’re actively looking for volunteers to take part in things, and while winter might seem like it’s a long way off, it’s never too early to start planning.

If you want to see what this project is all about, check out our page on last year’s success. And if you’d like to take part in cheering up the town and displaying how wonderful Lewisburg is, feel free to contact us – we appreciate all the support that we can get!

AND MORE!

There’s always something brewing here at the Zone; usually at least three or four things, as you can probably tell from this post. There are other projects in the works that I haven’t even touched on here, but I don’t want this to stretch on for too long, so here’s some brief sneak peeks:

  • We’re in talks with the local public broadcast stations for a couple of different happenings, which we hope are going to be a great showcase to the wider area about all the great things happening in town.
  • The Lewisburg Fall Festival is happening at Hufnagle Park on October 9th, and you can bet we’ll be there!

So as you can see, we’ve got plenty keeping us busy. But we’re not so busy we can’t keep up with you lovely folks! We’ve got Tech Tutoring available as always if anyone needs it, you can always give us a shout on social media or shoot an email, and if nothing else, you know where you can find us to drop by and say hello.

And we’ve got this blog! We’d love to hear your thoughts on the posts, so make sure to hit “like” if you like it, and comment to let me know what you think. We’d also love to have more voices on here, so make sure to contact us if you have an idea for a post or have something written you’d like to share.

Until next time, though, I’d better get back to it!
]]>