My husband and I traveled from our home in Claremont recently to hear three high school students speak to a room full of adults at the Damon Hall Community Pancake Breakfast in Hartland.
We learned about their reasons for participating in the Youth Climate Strike that has led to Friday’s Global Climate Strike for adults, teens and children around the world. All three talked about what inspired them to become involved and how communication and collaboration among students, teachers, parents and lawmakers was key to aggressively addressing the climate catastrophe.
“Youth can influence the discussion,” one student said.
“Why aren’t people doing more to deal with it?” another asked.
“Youths don’t have the option to sit back. It’s too scary to sit back,” said the third.
The room was full of those who respected the students for the good work they are doing. Again and again, the students mentioned the need for adults to support them in their quest to understand and address the climate crisis.
As adults, we owe that to them.
As a psychotherapist, I am committed to mitigating the psychological effects of catastrophic climate change on our community. It is paramount that adults support the young people who are taking action on this existential crisis.
Having adult support and taking action are two important strategies for addressing the confusion, anxiety and fear of the future young people have inherited from our generation.
I encourage parents, students and interested SAU 6 faculty and staff to attend the Claremont Global Climate Strike on Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Broad Street Park in downtown Claremont, so that our young people can see those who are able to support them in their quest for solutions to this crisis.
REBECCA MacKENZIE
Claremont
We were fortunate enough to be in attendance last year when Northern Stage held a special gala evening — Lights Up Cabaret: Season of Love — to kick off its new season. The event was a sold-out success.
We knew going in it would be fun, but we had no idea what a remarkable night it would be. The food, drink and camaraderie were wonderful. The performance was spectacular, the audience alive with infectious laughter and applause. The intimate Byrne Theater made us all feel we were a part of the action. How amazing to be getting such an incredible show in White River Junction.
Happily, Northern Stage has decided to make Lights Up Cabaret a major annual fundraising event. This year’s gala — Lights Up Cabaret: Oh, the Places We’ll Go — will be held Sunday, at 6 p.m., at the Barrette Center for the Arts. Tickets are $99 per person, which includes food provided by area restaurants, a drink ticket, and an evening of fabulous cabaret entertainment. You can order tickets online at northernstage.org/lightsup or by calling the box office at 802-296-7000.
Northern Stage, the only year-round producing theater company in our area, is heavily involved in arts education in our local schools and a vital part of the burgeoning White River Junction arts hub. We urge you to join us Sunday evening to experience what will surely be one of the best arts events of the year and to provide your support for an organization that leads the way in brightening our cultural lives here in the Upper Valley.
BROOKE and JIM ADLER
Quechee
We want to extend a huge thank you to all who made Road To Independence’s Vaudeville Show at the Newport Opera House on Sept. 7 such a total success. Once again, It’s Vaudeville donated talent and experience so we could raise funds for our Farm Program and Aurora Bakery program. We were honored to be the last of more than 20 shows It’s Vaudeville has put on that have raised more than $40,000 over the past 12 years. We are grateful for the support of the Newport Opera House Association for its generosity with the beautiful venue and box office services. Together, we put on a wonderful show that was enjoyed by more than 250 people.
In addition, local businesses donated advertising space and money so that program participants could attend at no cost. Road To Independence participants, volunteers, board members and Newport Opera House Association board members, friends and family sold event and raffle tickets, served as ushers, staffed the refreshment tables, set up and cleaned up and did all the big and little things that go into such an event. It is these types of community connections that are so important for the differently abled community.
We were really pleased that so many of you came to the show, watched our video and learned about our program, which offers empowering opportunities to individuals with mental and physical challenges. It was a wonderful evening listening to the Newport Opera House filled with laughter as everyone participated in and enjoyed the show.
We hope that you will continue to support Road To Independence and the Newport Opera House Association. We look forward to many more good times in the future.
MARGARET COULTER
Newport
The writer is the director/founder of Road To Independence.
In his recent Opinion column, Wayne Gersen contemplates replacing the military draft “with two years of voluntary service to be completed by all citizens before the age of 25” (“National service could bring us together,” Sept. 8).
Although I appreciate the sentiment, the proposal contradicts itself. If all citizens must to do it, how can it be voluntary?
Whatever the benefits may be, we decided long ago that involuntary servitude has no place in our nation.
ANDREW TERHUNE
Canaan