News & Notes, May 2022
Plan to attend: Vigil and walk for the victims of Buffalo and Uvalde
When: Thursday, June 2, 4 pm
Where: Seminary Chapel
What: Violin, Piano, and Vocal music; Prayers; Tears
Who: All of us
Why: Because enough is enough. The slaughter of innocent children (and adults) must come to an end.
The event will be led by local clergy. Cathy Elkiss, Organist/Pianist and Director of Music for Worship Life at United Lutheran Seminary, Dale Elkiss on violin, and Paul Freundel, soloist, will provide music and lead singing for the vigil. There will then be an opportunity for a walk on Seminary grounds.
DFA writers roundup
We’re starting a new feature: a monthly roundup of significant writing by DFA people. Because it's a first, we’re reaching back a little more than a month.
As you can see, we have a talented group of authors and there are a number of venues that welcome our inputs: Gettysburg Times op-ed page, Gettysburg Times letter to the editor, DFA blog, Gettysburg Connection ‘Citizen voices” column. As time passes, we’ll probably identify more outlets. All of these we collect on our Gettysburg DFA web page, which is the home of some of the best political writing you’ll find anywhere (www.gettysburgdfa.org)
Which brings up the important point about writers and DFA. We are looking for writers. As the famed Uncle Sam recruiting poster said, “We Want You!” We have more outlets than writers and there is room for YOUR voice. It’s not that hard to pick a topic from the endless number of issues (nothing on this list addressed guns, climate change, Biden, police reform, the filibuster, civil rights, or many other issues). Decide what you have to say; and generate anywhere from 400 words (letter to the editor) to 600-800 (DFA blog post).
If you need help with ideas or approach, Will Lane and I are both experienced writing coaches. We can help formulate an idea, organize your thoughts, or just look it over when you’re done. Contact Leon Reed (leonsreed@gmail.com) or Will Lane (wlane@gettysburg.edu).
Gettysburg Times op-eds
Wanted: Education for Citizenship, Leon Reed
Why Many Doctors Are Leaving Private Practice, Baird Tipson
Censorship: The child of fear and the father of ignorance, Tony McNevins
Ukraine and the Slow-Motion Coup, Jeff Colvin
The Slow-Motion Coup, Jeff Colvin
Vaccines for Students, Elaine Jones
Election ‘22 writings for DFA web site
Peril in 2022, Leon Reed
We Need to Worry About Mastriano’s Campaign, Leon Reed
Roe v. Wade’s Days Are Numbered, Leon Reed
Gettysburg Connection Community Voices
A Second Reformation? Some New (Old) Ways of Thinking about Nature and Why They Might Matter, Will Lane
Please Consider Austin Davis for Lieutenant Governor, Jeanne Duffy
Other DFA News
ARP Funding. DFA has been deeply involved in a campaign to encourage the county to use a transparent and participatory process to allocate its pandemic relief funding. Largely at our suggestion (and thanks to the many of you who called and wrote the county), the county posted a survey and solicited inputs from the public. These are funds that could be frittered away on new police radios or bonuses for county employees, but we are confident the county listened to the people.
DFA’s own input listed affordable housing first and also suggested other expenditures such as broadband and mental health. We believe there is a strong likelihood that some funds will be set aside for both housing and broadband. Thanks to all who helped.
Other Dates
Community-wide Juneteenth Celebration: An afternoon of activities and entertainment celebrating African American history and culture will be held on Sunday, June 19, 2022. The events include a guided walk, starting at noon on the town square and proceeding past prominent sites associated with black history in Gettysburg, such as Lincoln Cemetery and the site of the first “colored” school. The walk will terminate at the Rec Park, where there will be an afternoon of activities, music, food, and fun from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.