The town of Greensboro hosted " Picnic in the Park " a celebration of Ober Park. It was one year ago that the new playground equipment and layout at Ober park was completed and the grand opening held. This was possible through a grant from Project open space and the efforts of many volunteers. This celebration was to remember their efforts and show appreciation. A local church provided free sno cones and popcorn. The town provided jump ropes, frisbees and big bouncy balls. A large sheet cake was also provided.
This was also an effort to establish community. The town of Greensboro has been making a concerted effort to foster community. It is a topic close to me as well. Other events are scheduled in this same vein. I believe it is a worthy effort and will pay much in benefits to all. A closer community means a safer community. Life is definitely better when you do not fear your neighbors. When you do not know your neighbor you are wary and distant. That is just human nature. Greensboro hopes to regain a bit of the past, a part that has somehow been left behind. " Picnic in the Park " was another tiny step forward, but a step nonetheless.
I take no credit for any of this. That credit goes to the town council, parks and recreation committee and the civic and business groups. It is through their efforts and foresight that these events are made possible. The turnout was not as large as hoped for but a start was made. Participation in any of these events is difficult to obtain. I have given it much thought and have no answers. It is true that the " excitement " level is not very high. There are no rides or big celebrities involved. The only draw being " community " togetherness. Perhaps that is the problem. We are trying to get people to actually communicate with each other, one on one. Personal interaction in a social setting ? Do people even do that anymore ? I think it is becoming a lost art. We do tend to form little " groups " and stay within that group. The groups are getting smaller and smaller.
It does appear that whenever large groups get together trouble ensues. That has always been so but it seems things get way out of hand these days. That would be a reflection of society in general I suppose. It is my opinion we are not as " civilized " today as we were say, thirty years ago. The internet and cell phones haven't furthered civilization but emboldened those that would dissent. Spend an hour online in a "social" website and just read the comments. I see it every day at work, this lack of social skills. We need to foster those skills not subdue them. We need to teach that compromise is not surrender ! The art of conversation is not the art of argument ! That is debate.
I also think the churches played a big role in community in years gone by. That role has changed and sadly diminished somewhat. Now we talk about Christians. I don't recall anyone talking about Christians when I was a child, that was just assumed. Even the people that didn't act like christians were assumed to be so, or perhaps Jewish. It made little difference as far as I was concerned and I think that was the prevailing attitude. Now it seems like certain people want to distance themselves from Christians. It is rather bizarre from my vantage point. It really is a matter of perceptions. It is the " hot button " topic of the day. The reasons behind it I leave to your thoughts.
The event went well and a good time was had by all. The crowd was small that is true. I think the next event is the Latin American festival. The Latino community was invited to host a display of their heritage. Their churches are spearheading this effort. It sounds like an interesting day at the park. I am looking forward to it. Like it or not they are a part of the community, the family that is Greensboro. I hope for a positive outcome from that endeavor.
The bottom line in all of this for me is simple, once we learn to talk with one another differences will get resolved. All it takes is a little explanation and understanding. It doesn't matter if it is young and old or pioneer and immigrant. We all need to communicate. A community is a big family and we all need to speak to one another. Just like a family some members are different than others but they are all family just the same. The central issue is in determining just who or what is the head of that family. We need leadership. That was the role of the church, what is it now ? Think about that.
This was also an effort to establish community. The town of Greensboro has been making a concerted effort to foster community. It is a topic close to me as well. Other events are scheduled in this same vein. I believe it is a worthy effort and will pay much in benefits to all. A closer community means a safer community. Life is definitely better when you do not fear your neighbors. When you do not know your neighbor you are wary and distant. That is just human nature. Greensboro hopes to regain a bit of the past, a part that has somehow been left behind. " Picnic in the Park " was another tiny step forward, but a step nonetheless.
I take no credit for any of this. That credit goes to the town council, parks and recreation committee and the civic and business groups. It is through their efforts and foresight that these events are made possible. The turnout was not as large as hoped for but a start was made. Participation in any of these events is difficult to obtain. I have given it much thought and have no answers. It is true that the " excitement " level is not very high. There are no rides or big celebrities involved. The only draw being " community " togetherness. Perhaps that is the problem. We are trying to get people to actually communicate with each other, one on one. Personal interaction in a social setting ? Do people even do that anymore ? I think it is becoming a lost art. We do tend to form little " groups " and stay within that group. The groups are getting smaller and smaller.
It does appear that whenever large groups get together trouble ensues. That has always been so but it seems things get way out of hand these days. That would be a reflection of society in general I suppose. It is my opinion we are not as " civilized " today as we were say, thirty years ago. The internet and cell phones haven't furthered civilization but emboldened those that would dissent. Spend an hour online in a "social" website and just read the comments. I see it every day at work, this lack of social skills. We need to foster those skills not subdue them. We need to teach that compromise is not surrender ! The art of conversation is not the art of argument ! That is debate.
I also think the churches played a big role in community in years gone by. That role has changed and sadly diminished somewhat. Now we talk about Christians. I don't recall anyone talking about Christians when I was a child, that was just assumed. Even the people that didn't act like christians were assumed to be so, or perhaps Jewish. It made little difference as far as I was concerned and I think that was the prevailing attitude. Now it seems like certain people want to distance themselves from Christians. It is rather bizarre from my vantage point. It really is a matter of perceptions. It is the " hot button " topic of the day. The reasons behind it I leave to your thoughts.
The event went well and a good time was had by all. The crowd was small that is true. I think the next event is the Latin American festival. The Latino community was invited to host a display of their heritage. Their churches are spearheading this effort. It sounds like an interesting day at the park. I am looking forward to it. Like it or not they are a part of the community, the family that is Greensboro. I hope for a positive outcome from that endeavor.
The bottom line in all of this for me is simple, once we learn to talk with one another differences will get resolved. All it takes is a little explanation and understanding. It doesn't matter if it is young and old or pioneer and immigrant. We all need to communicate. A community is a big family and we all need to speak to one another. Just like a family some members are different than others but they are all family just the same. The central issue is in determining just who or what is the head of that family. We need leadership. That was the role of the church, what is it now ? Think about that.
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