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Only a few of you know this—Emeril
Lagasse and I share a hometown. It’s true! We both grew up in Fall
River, Massachusetts. That city boasts so many ethnic
neighborhoods that back when I was
in high school in the 60s, the high school’s language department
offered multiple years of Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, German, Polish,
Italian, Russian and Portuguese. Those neighborhoods also offered some
remarkable ethnic foods. While my parents were die-hard Yankees, we grew
up with my mother cooking some outstanding ethnic foods. Portuguese
chourico and linguica sausages appeared in scrambled eggs, on sandwiches
and pizza with peppers and onions, in New England clam boils and in
holiday stuffing. If there is one thing I miss about my hometown, it
would be the food.
Well, I got a fantastic ethnic food
fix last month. Mary and I went to the 23rd Annual Women’s Week in
Provincetown, Massachusetts. We rented a place for the week and had
friends join us which made the experience even better. It took me back
to childhood as we sat eating chourico and cheese croissants and
malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts).
The food wasn’t the only thing
that “took me back.” Among the performers at Women’s Week were
women that I hadn’t heard in twenty years like Lucie Blue Tremblay and
Tret Fure. They have only improved with age! A feature of the concerts
that I found most heartwarming was the respect evidenced between the
early founders of woman’s music and the up-and-comers. When they
shared the stage together, the audience truly benefited.
Veteran, Holly Near, was in concert
with a great duo that I had not heard in the past. Emma’s Revolution
is an award-winning pair of activist songwriters and musicians. Their
music was wonderful and they said something that has really stuck with
me. They spoke of how people will tell you to stop “preaching to the
choir.” They maintain that the choir needs to keep hearing the message
if they are going to spread the word. I think that is so true whether
you are talking the politics of the upcoming elections or support for
CAMP Rehoboth’s future. Many of us know the issues and what is at
stake if we do not support what we believe in. Only some of us will make
it a point to engage family and friends in conversation about our future
as it relates to equal rights. Fewer still will offer financial support
to individuals and organizations with a track record of supporting GLBT
issues.
I strongly encourage you to be a
very vocal member of the choir. And, as cliché as it may sound, you
need to “put your money where your mouth is.” CAMP Rehoboth
offers opportunities for you to support your community and to provide
for its future. CLICK HERE to find out more.
Whether you choose to fund an item on the Wish List or join the GEM
Club, you are making history. We live in a unique community that did not
develop by accident. It took strong committed people willing to work
within the greater community. Not yet a member? Please, join the
“choir.” You can make a difference in our future.
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