By Mika Spears

As I sit at my computer on Martin Luther King Jr. Day trying to determine what this week’s topic will be, his most famous quote runs repeatedly through my head: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

So how far have we evolved on the “character” issue since Dr. King uttered that statement during his famous “I Have a Dream” speech?  I hate to say it, but I think the nation as a whole has actually regressed a bit in the area of character, and that includes people of every skin color.

It’s unfortunately commonplace for spectators at sporting events to throw around foul language even though children are clearly present.  People abdicate basic responsibility for their children at such a rampant pace that the social safety net can hardly handle it. Many folks go from zero to fisticuffs over such a minor offense as perceiving that someone is “stealing” their parking spot.

What has led to these regrettable changes in the fabric of American society?  Everyone stereotypically thinks the generation following their own lacks a certain integrity that will never again be realized but it really seems to have accelerated with reality TV, where physical confrontations are considered exercises in honesty and the internet, where anonymous bullying has become sport.

So how do we get back our character? It all starts locally.

I like to think Smithville is already somewhat above the fray (as recently evidenced by the response to the wildfire).  No, we aren’t perfect, but we strive to exemplify the ideals of small town life where you greet the people you see at the grocery store and you don’t lay on your horn if the car in front of you doesn’t immediately notice the light just turned green.  Wouldn’t it be great if everywhere you went, things were the same way?

An organization called Bastrop County Character Education (part of Building Good Citizens, a 501(c)3 volunteer organization) is making it their goal to preserve the traits we hold dear and to reinforce the importance of those traits by working with the school districts and city and county governments.

They have assigned a character trait for each month that is emphasized in the schools and community through the sponsoring of essay contests, presentations to students as well as at city council, school board, and county commissioner meetings, and posting of information throughout the community.  They also represent themselves at community-wide events and are instituting a scholarship program.

The traits that are given focus throughout the year are loyalty, justice, self-reliance, self-discipline, integrity, honor, patriotism, respect, honesty, responsibility, compassion and perseverance.  Each characteristic is defined, and ideally, discussed as they apply to real-world situations. You may have already seen their posters around town or seen the bookmarks and pencils they distribute in the schools.

If you are involved with a group whose values are congruent with the mission of Bastrop County Character Education, consider getting in touch with them to see how you can help spread the message.  They are always looking for new and interesting ways to present their information and for new avenues at which to present them. You can help by volunteering to post informational materials, making a presentation to commissioners court or to a school assembly, brainstorming new ideas for strategies or assisting with fundraising efforts.

If you have something to offer for this group, contact me by email at smithvilletalk@yahoo.com.  I’ll be happy to pass along your information and make sure you become part of their network.

I will be the first to admit that getting a good education is the key to success, but character education underlies how that success will be achieved.

EMANCIPET IN SMITHVILLE

Emancipet will be back in Smithville on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the recreation center for microchipping of pets and to perform spays and neuters at reduced prices.

They will set up starting at 8 a.m. for surgery check-in.  Female dogs can be spayed for $59 and cats for $39. Male dogs cost $49 to neuter and cats cost $29.  Appointments should be made ahead of time by calling 512-587-7729 or visiting http://www.emancipet.org/spay-neuter/appointment-request-form/.

There will also be a wellness technician available from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.  to perform microchipping of any pets.  The cost for microchipping is $15 per pet and takes only seconds. Microchipping your pet is an easy and safe way to facilitate the return of your precious pet if they ever become separated from the safety of your home.

SPOKEN WORD

ON THE MOVE

The “Spoken Word” group of literary enthusiasts is moving its meeting to a new location. They invite you to join them on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of prose and poetry.  There is no fee to attend.

This month’s meeting will be at the Smithville Public Library’s community room at 507 Main Street. The library will be closed but the side door on 6th Street will be open.

The group will also take the opportunity to discuss whether to change the date and/or location for future meetings.

Have you been hard at work over the holidays?  Have something new you can’t wait to share?  The Spoken Word invites you to share your original works or a cited work that inspires you.

LIBRARY FRIENDS

INVITE GUEST

The Friends of the Smithville Library sponsored a presentation entitled “The Story of Music, Stories from Home” at the First United Methodist Church Family Activity Center last Sunday evening.

About 35 people attended this two-person show featuring musician Lauren Pelon and writer Gary Holthaus who travel throughout the country with their show.

Lauren Pelon performs music ranging from the 1st to the 21st centuries on such obscure instruments as archlute, gemshorns, cornamuse, krummhorn, schreierpfeife, shawm, rackett, psalmodikon, concertina, ocarina, hurdy-gurdy, doucaine, bowed and plucked psalteries, Kiowa courting flute, eagle bone flute, electric wind instrument, and MIDI-pedalboard. She also plays instruments that are more well-known such as guitar, lute-guitar, lyre, recorders, pennywhistles, and synthesizers .  She also traces the story of music and tells stories about the development of instruments throughout history.

Partner Gary Holthaus performs his original pieces of poetry influenced by his career as an agricultural writer.  He has also been a commercial fisherman in Alaska, a big-game guide in Montana, a wheat packer for Quaker Oats, a schoolteacher and moved steel beams around for Iowa Steel and Iron Works.  His most famous work is a book titled “From the Farm to the Table: What All Americans Need to Know about Agriculture.”

The show combines music, stories and poems to explore our sense of place, home and community, relying on deeply rooted cultural traditions of the Midwest.

Thanks to the Friends of the Library as well as Humanities Texas for making this show possible in Smithville.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK

Don’t forget to buy your tickets for Harlem Ambassadors this weekend.  It’s a great time for the whole family!

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