Under the baobab: Saying goodbye, Memorial Day in Centre County and more
“Gather the stars if you wish it so. Gather the songs and keep them. Gather the faces of women. Gather for keeping years and years. And then ... Loosen your hands, let go and say good-by. Let the stars and songs go. Let the faces and years go. Loosen your hands and say good-by.“—Carl Sandburg
Sonja Jane Ghaner joined the ancestors on Feb. 15, 2024. She was 77 years old. Her husband, Doug Mason, read this Sandburg poem last week as he scattered her ashes at the Spring Creek Canyon Bridge, one of Sonja’s favorite spots. Nearly 200 friends and relatives attended her celebration of life ceremony, which was held at the Centre Region Active Adult Center in the Nittany Mall. The service was organized by Erika Mann, Lu Skidgel and Dawn Barner. It was officiated by the Rev. William Osman. Musicians and artists were Charles “Chip” Coggins, Mike Coo, and Karen Keifer-Boyd. Sonja’s lasting legacy is one of love, laughter and a profound appreciation for the beauty of life journey. Good-bye, dear friend.
On Monday, Boalsburg, known as the birthplace of Memorial Day, holds its annual festival that includes food, fun, museum tours, and of course the laying of the wreaths on the graves of the fallen, by the three women depicting the Civil War heroines, Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller, and Mrs. Elizabeth Meyer — a ceremony unbroken in 161 years.
We are mindful of those who have lost family members and other loved ones in the service of our country. Both my wife and I have family members who served in the armed forces from our generation going back to the Civil War. As we approach an election in which the very concept of democracy is on the ballot, we appreciate and honor the sacrifices our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have made. We honor them by our participation in the democratic process. Register and vote. Patriots have given their lives and livelihoods so that we can exercise that right.
Elsewhere in the community, good wishes to John Hayes, who was appointed to the State College Borough Council replacing Divine Lipscomb.
And State Rep Paul Takac threw a party at Boal City Brewery for a hundred or so folks. Good weather provided the opportunity for a lovely outdoor gathering. Continuing his public service, Takac sponsored a well-attended Senior Fair at Centre Care. A panel of experts from the state Attorney General’s office, AARP, PA Banking and Securities Agency, Schlow Library and Centre County Office of Aging discussed how to spot and avoid senior scams.
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There seems to be no sensible solution for the tragic situation in the middle east. Some Israelis, while protesting the ineffectual military campaign, are demanding an immediate rescue of the hostages, a cessation to the killing of children, and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Can this bring about a change of policy? Norway, Spain and Ireland recently recognized an independent Palestinian state. Is a two-state solution a pathway toward peace? The International Criminal Court has brought charges of war crimes against Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Israel ‘s Netanyahu. At a recent community gathering, a Palestinian woman left paralyzed by a bomb told us about her father, a brother and three cousins who had been killed in the conflict.
We, Americans, bear some responsibility. The United States has no combat troops on the ground there, but our country has provided 300 billion in aid to Israel since its founding. We are Israel’s most important donor. But, at what cost? Remember, the expenditures for the war in Vietnam liquidated the resources that President Johnson had available for his domestic social programs.
Thousands of students across the country have been demanding that the U.S. economically divest from this war. Perhaps it is time we listened to the children, loosened our hands and said good-bye?
Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He was the 2022 Lion’s Paw Awardee and Living Legend honoree of the National Black Theatre Festival. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
