On Saturday night I had the best time I can remember in this little town. And believe me, my memories are many and varied.
Thirty-three years ago, I made Gettysburg my home. As a single mom, I brought my two children to St. James church and discovered a place they could feel safe and we could all make friends. We spent twelve years there learning and growing together, singing and soloing in choirs, and enjoying time together in Sunday school classes and summer camp time at Nawakwa.
I finished my bachelor’s degree commuting to Shippensburg University and worked at the Brafferton Inn for its first owners who transformed one of the oldest buildings in town into the world-class B&B that it quickly became. I met fascinating people from as far away as New Zealand, discovering the impact of the civil war battle on people all over the world.
My work following my degree in psychology and art included one-to-one support for children through Hempfield Counseling, spending time with individuals in each of the elementary schools while my two worked their way to graduation through James Gettys and the original middle school.
In 2002, my daughter was a member of the first graduating class that had spent all four of their high school years in the new Gettysburg Area High School, which became known as the “only high school you can see from space.”
My darling son and daughter experienced the installation of metal detectors following the mass shooting at Columbine, the horror of which hasn’t led to the return to safety but rather was the beginning of the long decline into the culture of fear in which our children are educated today.
I commuted to Harrisburg’s campus of Temple University for my master’s degree in social work, while also singing with Bel Voce, a Harrisburg-based chorus directed by Gettysburg College Professor Teresa Bowers.
I moved closer to Harrisburg for a period of time, and in 2012 returned to Gettysburg.
Of all the changes that the town has seen since then, one of the most delightful is the addition of the Adams County Arts Council’s Arts Oasis Stage on the square, where last night a band called Charley Horse played some highly satisfying music and I felt the freedom and joy of dancing to some really great classic rock.
These talented musicians have only been playing together for about two years but it’s evident that individually they have devoted many years of practice honing their skills. Two lead guitarists, bass, drums, and keyboard filled the square with a sound that drew a sizeable crowd and gave passersby a reason to pause.
In my recent conversations, many people have made references to our collective time of what some refer to as a “reboot” due to the pandemic. It’s not a surprise that being able to be in public and greet friends and share airspace without masking is a little weird but very welcome, albeit a little awkward.
The mood is one of cautious anticipation. It feels like people want to be more social but don’t quite know how.
I have a secret.
Come dance with me.
I have a feeling that summer is going to be a lot of fun when we get together on a weekend evening on the Gettysburg Square, our community gathering place. We’ve laughed there and cried there, held candlelight vigils, and heard brass band concerts. We’ve celebrated our personal victories and mourned our losses in its restaurants and shops.
Movies have been made about our little town and the battle, but only those of us who choose it for our hometown can express the devotion and love that living here instills in our hearts.
Come dance with me. You know you want to. The Arts Council and Ben Wenk at Ploughman Cider Taproom have made it possible.
With love and gratitude for your smiles and hugs.
Deb Collins has been in central Pennsylvania since 1989. Her children graduated from Gettysburg Area High School at the turn of the century and now live at opposite ends of the turnpike, Chelsea in Pittsburgh and Jake in Philadelphia. Raised in Connecticut, Deb enjoys the milder climate and the proximity to so many major cities that Gettysburg provides.
Beautiful article – thank you for that. We are still relatively “new” to Gettysburg and working slowly on making it our hometown. Looking forward to getting more immersed in the arts/music scene here and have heard great things about the Oasis. Hope to see you around one of those summer days ahead and perhaps dance a little…..
Great Article that Debbie wrote. I enjoyed reading it.
What a good story, Deborah!