(Pittsburgh in my 60s) Report from a long weekend
By Sherry Pasquarello, Worldwidehippies – Anyone that knows me understands that I’ve become pretty much of a homebody. Occasionally though, I do have a weekend that finds me out and about.
This weekend was one of those. So, I figured since I was out I’d do a little research for my article today. I still have found very little political talk. That is so unusual. Last presidential election EVERYONE had their opinions and they shared them. Sometimes they shared quite loudly. This time round- nothing much at all except for the Ron Paul supporters. I can’t really go by what they say though. Paul supporters tend to be almost like members of a religion. They adore him 365 days a year- every year. They only other person I know of that said anything is a friend of mine who was supporting PERRY (yeah, I know, I know) so now he’s safe in complaining that the best man for the job dropped out of the race. Me? I’m hoping he is so angry that he doesn’t bother to vote!
That said, I attended my scholarship meeting Sunday. This scholarship program has been going on for 11 years and it is very dear to me. It’s sponsored by a fraternal org/club in a small ex- mining town upriver from Pittsburgh. I was attracted by the fact that the applicants did not have to be A students. They just had to work up to their potential and to show exceptional work ethic and drive. They had to want to achieve. They also did not have to be going on to a traditional 4 year college. They could be accepted to any trade school or art school or what have you. The money might not have seemed like a lot but the students could put it towards books or bus fares or food-didn’t matter. We trusted that they would use it where needed. Times have changed though. Dollars for scholarships are harder to come by. Money is tight. The fundraisers that we held were not bringing in the cash needed. So, the committee is finishing out this year in June and the ladies auxiliary will be taking them over and awarding what they can but the premise will probably be changing. I’m grateful that the auxiliary is giving it a shot but they have 3 children’s parties that they put on for the local kids as well.
Times are tough and this is just one small example. It’s sad but people don’t give up easily. These are folks that have lived hard times before. I’d love to drop Gingrich and Romney and Cantor AND ESPECIALLY Santorum off with one year’s average wages from the area and no help from anyone and see how they fare! The reason I say especially Santorum is because of that over the top story he gives about looking at his grandfather’s hands as he lay in his casket and thinking of how “those hands dug my freedom…” well, Ricky- here’s your chance. It’s an old coal mining town. Come on Rick- get to know first hand some of your grandfather’s contemporaries. Show your kids what it’s like to hold bingos and fish frys and sell raffle tickets on donated baskets of stuff! Move right in for a year and see if your kids would qualify for that scholarship because of their work ethic. MY grandfather came over from Italy. He worked the steel mill down river from these coal mines. Worked steel for 50 years. I saw him every day of my life til he passed and helped care for him at home right before he did. You know what I thought looking at him in his casket, Rick? It wasn’t some stump speech. That much I will say.
Anyway, that was my weekend- your intrepid citizen journalist was hard at work for all you sweet hippies. Well, in between the big dinner at my buddy Dan’s(aka Pudd’n) pub and a few Jack and diets that is. Reporting can be hard work, ho ho! It can also put on a few pounds. Smile sweet hippies. Never lose the capacity to smile.
Sherry Pasquarello is an eclectic little woman who has been published in the Individualist Newsletter, Black Roses, online at the Amateur Poetry Journal and the Alchemy lit. mag, and elsewhere. Sherry is a member of the international PK poetry kit list workshop and has been included in many of their projects. For more about Sherry check out her blog After the Bridge.
