In a world where division seems to dominate headlines, Lycoming County discovered this week an unexpected source of unity that inspired and surprised us all. It’s in times of adversity that our unity and respect for one another shine.
During their weekly meeting, the Lycoming County Commissioners unveiled details for what promises to be one of the area’s most potent and exciting community celebrations: “Farm to Table Night” on September 18th at the county farm. This innovative event has already captured the imagination of local producers and residents alike, with over 30 vendors confirmed to participate in what organizers describe as a comprehensive showcase of the region’s agricultural excellence.
The Farm-to-Table Night represents far more than a simple community gathering. It’s a proud showcase of our region’s agricultural excellence, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our local farmers and producers. The event promises to showcase the sophisticated agricultural ecosystem that thrives in the region, featuring a diverse range of products, including organic produce, grass-fed livestock, handcrafted cheeses, and locally sourced honey.
This celebration of agricultural abundance takes on deeper meaning given the broader themes of unity and community support that dominated the commissioners’ meeting. The farm-to-table concept itself embodies the kind of interconnectedness and mutual support that community leaders are working to foster throughout Lycoming County.
The meeting took a more serious turn when Dov Gordon, representing our local Jewish community, addressed commissioners about a billboard in the area that targets Jews with what he characterized as false claims about the birth of Christ. Gordon’s message emphasized love and mutual support rather than division, calling for community members to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.
Gordon’s appeal for interfaith solidarity resonated with Chairman Metzger’s subsequent reflections on his recent experiences at the Little League World Series. Having spent two weeks immersed in the tournament atmosphere, Metzger returned with observations that challenged everyone present to reconsider their understanding of human nature and community building.
The Chairman painted a vivid picture of young athletes from around the globe meeting for the first time and forming bonds of friendship and mutual respect immediately. These children, representing every conceivable background, color, and creed, demonstrated an innate capacity for connection that transcended cultural barriers. Their interactions revealed something both beautiful and instructive about humanity’s potential for unity.
Particularly striking was Metzger’s observation of these young people proudly singing their respective national anthems while simultaneously embracing competitors from other nations with genuine warmth and affection. This demonstration of how patriotism and international friendship can coexist without conflict provided a powerful example for adult community members struggling with division and prejudice.
The contrast between childhood innocence and adult reality became a central theme in Metzger’s message. He noted with evident concern that while children naturally embrace diversity and forge connections across cultural divides, the adult world remains plagued by hatred and division. The troubling reality, as he observed, is that this hatred originates entirely from adult influences rather than any natural human inclination toward animosity.
This observation led Metzger to pose a fundamental question: What happens during the journey from childhood to adulthood that allows hatred to take root where love and acceptance once flourished naturally? The question carried weight given the billboard controversy Gordon had addressed, illustrating how adult prejudices manifest in ways that would never occur to children naturally.
The Chairman’s ultimate message was uncompromising: the hatred must stop. This declaration served as both an indictment of current conditions and a call to action for meaningful change. His challenge to the community was clear: it’s time to examine our roles in either perpetuating division or fostering the unity that children demonstrate instinctively. We must all work together to stop the spread of hatred and promote unity in our community.
The connection between Gordon’s concerns about community targeting and Metzger’s observations about childhood acceptance created a powerful parallel that emphasized the same fundamental principle: communities thrive when people support one another rather than seeking to diminish those who are different.
The September 18th celebration now represents more than an agricultural showcase; it embodies the kind of community solidarity that both Gordon and Metzger advocated. Your support and participation are crucial to the success of events like the upcoming Farm-to-Table Night. Community members interested in participating can contact Lycoming County offices for vendor information or attendance details.
