By VERNA BROCK
Unbelievably, we are at the start of another school year. In households across the county, there has been a frenzy of preparation and excitement. New “school shoes” have been purchased, first day outfits planned, new notebooks and fresh boxes of crayons tucked into bookbags, and lunches lovingly packed with post-it notes full of encouragement and prayers for a successful year.
Do you remember your school days fondly? For me, they often included showing up in completely new towns and communities. Ah, the life of military kids! For the most part, those days were filled with anticipation. New faces! New places! Even completely new climates…Michigan, to Hawaii, and back to Michigan! Mix in a little bit of Florida for good measure! We all learned to make friends quickly, no matter where we landed.
One of the great blessings of my life has been putting roots down in Wakulla County. Even growing up, I always wanted my family to have lifelong connections with friends and family. As exciting as it was to experience so many different places, I was envious of people who could say they had known their friends, their VILLAGE, their entire lives. For me, Wakulla County, and North Florida in general, have seemed very much like the perfect place to “be from.”
I have a grandson beginning high school this year, which hardly seems possible. It’s been such a pleasure watching him, and his friends, grow from birth onward. I may be biased, just a tiny bit, but I unapologetically defend America’s youth. They are, for the most part, kind, optimistic, and willing to step up and help out. I am looking forward to what they will contribute to their communities. How fortunate we are to live in this time, no matter how stressful it can sometimes seem.
From nervous kindergarteners, to excited seniors, our children will be rushing home to share the excitement of another year of learning and all that includes. Remember to be extra watchful as our roads fill with school buses, along with many brand new drivers! I can’t wait to hear all about this first day of school!
What an interesting musical treat we had last Sunday evening at the Woodville UMC’s “Second Sunday Sing.” The Tallahassee Shape Note Singers performed from the Sacred Harp Hymnal.
This very old style of singing hymns is incredibly harmonic and complicated.
“Sacred Harp” refers to the human voice, and there are no musical instruments involved. Practiced by people of all denominations, across the globe, there is a great deal of skill and practice needed to follow shape note music. It was very reminiscent of Madrigal performances I attended at FSU, many years ago.
One of the leaders of the group was Morgan Bunch, whose original song was entered into the hymnal in 2012. In another life, years ago, he was daughter Anna Simmons’ teacher at the Tallahassee Junior Museum preschool. It really IS a small world.
Prayers continue to be coveted for so many of our neighbors who are recovering from surgery and illness. Please keep the family and friends of Robin Vause in your prayers. Her loss was very unexpected.