Things to do at Waynesburg U
…I want to personally thank the many folks who keep the Messenger informed of their upcoming events, who take the time out of their busy schedules to send us an email, drop us a line, call us or even stop in the office so they can give us their community news. Those who continuously do this trust us to help them get the word out about their event, and it helps us in our never-ending quest to be the best messenger of Greene County news and events.
For example, I want to give “Two Greene Thumbs Up” to Waynesburg University – and in particular, their Office of University Relations – for keeping us informed constantly about its many community events that are held on campus. I am even more impressed that they have so many events that offer such a wide array of information, education and entertainment.
From art exhibits and theater productions to special guest speakers and informative lectures, the university does a heck of a job providing events that people of all ages and all walks of life can attend. In fact, over the next month alone there will be a number of interesting events at the university, such as the following:
The Department of Fine Arts at Waynesburg University will display a juried photography show in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery from Oct. 19 to Nov. 13. The opening reception will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19.
Admission is free and the public is invited.
The exhibit will include a display of artistic photographs taken by university students and faculty during the past year. Photos from university-sponsored Faith, Learning and Service Immersion Trips will be featured in a special section.
Andrew Heisey, assistant professor of art, initiated the show after his students took a trip to Italy last semester.
Benedum Fine Arts Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Also, the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership will host a guest lecturer Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall. University of Pennsylvania Law School Professor David Skeel will lead a lecture titled, “True Paradox: How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World.”
Skeel will also lead a forum in conjunction with Judge Gary Glazer of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas at 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 on the 3rd floor of the Stover Campus Center. Admission to both events is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend.
Skeel’s lecture will explore the idea that Christianity can explain many of the puzzles of human existence, such as humans’ capacity for idea-making and their inability to create a just social order. Compared with other belief systems, Skeel argues, Christianity provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding human life. He supports the notion that, even in the contemporary world, God can make sense of the complexities of human life.
During the afternoon forum, “Thinking about Law School?,” Skeel and Glazer will describe the law school experience, various specialties in law school and what it is like to practice law. Students will find this afternoon forum to be an informative discussion for those considering law school.
These are just a few events that have been announced. Be sure to keep checking the Messenger for information and details about these and other events scheduled at the university.
Once again, hats off to the university relations office and to everyone else who lets us know about their events. Please keep the news coming…
…Okay, here’s something fun: The First Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg is once again having its annual mystery dinner theater fundraiser. This year’s production, titled “No Harm, No Foul,” will be held at the church on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and at the door, which includes a full tasty meal. The production is a comedic spin-off of parents of a youth soccer team and the competitiveness that takes place among them. A mystery will have to be solved during the evening, and the audience will be asked to help solve the mystery. For more info or for tickets, call the church office at 724-627-6006.
I have had the distinct pleasure of performing in these church productions over the years, but it was with much sadness and regret that – due to a hectic schedule and other unforeseen circumstances – I was unable to partake in this year’s play. Nevertheless, I am happy for the group that they are continuing this wonderful tradition and I want to help promote the event, because it is for a really good cause. So I hope others will come out and support such a worthwhile endeavor.
I am confident that the play will be terrific, especially since I know many of the gifted and talented actors who are performing in it…and I know the play will once again be under the excellent direction of Kathie Bortz, so I’m sure it will be a “can’t-miss.”
Looking back at the many plays I have been involved in, it just dawned on me that I have enjoyed each and every one of them…but I find it amusing that Kathie has always cast me as some rather unwholesome or shady characters. Over the years I have portrayed Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus; a nerdy and whiny pastor who meets a grisly demise; an unscrupulous business tycoon who nearly drowns; an unlikable mobster villain; and a very strange leper.
You know, the more I think about it, the more I think I’m starting to get a complex…
…Before I wrap this up, I want to wish the happiest of “Happy Birthdays” to my sister Amy and my cousin Robin, both who will be celebrating their birthdays this weekend. Robin has been an important part of my family for many, many years, and I cannot stress enough how wonderful a person she is to my wife and me, especially when she spends time with our son Bryson.
As for my sister, I am so happy that we have such a wonderful friendship in our adult lives. Sure, like most siblings, we had our ups and downs when we were growing up and we didn’t always see eye-to-eye. But as we got older, she has become a very special person in my life, and she is someone that I can talk to and someone that I count on when things in my life get crazy. She is, in every sense, a terrific “Big Sis,” someone who I look up to and whose friendship I truly cherish. (Not to mention that she is an awesome aunt who Bryson loves very much, and has been, and always will be, a wonderful Mom to a wonderful young lady.)
You may have noticed that I refrained from putting in their ages. Well, that’s no accident. After all of the kind words I just wrote about them, I would hate to ruin all the goodwill by having them wanting to kill me…