Central Kentucky

Norton Hall Stage in Better Times (than tonight)

There are big doing's in Danville, Kentucky tonight what with Biden and Ryan in town to talk over each other and down to the rest of us. Danville is home to Centre College, a really good school tucked away about 45 minutes from Lexington; a bit south by southwest.

About 4 decades ago I was involved with a very fine youth orchestra that had its summer camp/workshop at Centre and rehearsed/performed on the very stage in the Norton Center where the debate will be held. It is, by the way, a great space.  As musicians would say, you can "hear everything" and that is pretty rare. Conducting that orchestra of about 100 in the heat and inside "cool" of that building was some pumpkins. Interestingly enough, a couple followers of this blog/via facebook who were members of that orchestra will read this. One, a great french horn virtuoso (Richard) from the Atlanta Symphony and now NY Philharmonic and another a superb pianist, Gail (similarly now in Atlanta and a mover and shaker in the artistic community) who played a movement of a Mozart Concerto there during the ensuing school year. Her sister, Linda (an author), played the flute. There are two other violinists, a cellist and a number of friends of the orchestra who, I am sure, will look at tonight's debate and say "I've been on that stage".  Perhaps they will add that what they did on that stage was far more fitting to the spirit of the space and the countryside than what will come out of mouths of tonight's participants.

The Inn at Pleasant Hill

Pretty much due north of Danville and halfway to Lexington rests the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. If some of those who are not interested in staying in Danville tonight - the Diane Sawyers of the world - Pleasant Hill has an Inn and restaurant and serve as an astounding respite from the hustle and bustle of Danville during a debate.

I have a real affection for central Kentucky.  Centre College was a treat to visit. Pleasant Hill as well as Berea and the crafts were day trips to remember.  The countryside is interesting, striking and somewhat mid-south lazy daisy but not in a shiftless way but rather in a kind and generously openhearted, share the moment ambiance. 

That it is the scene of this spectacle is a bit disheartening.  There will be name-calling, taunts, barbs, snide remarks and smirks; not at all in keeping with the countryside or the local bon homme.  I presume that some measure of decorum will prevail but it seems a shame, really, that such gentle country and pleasant folk, all with a long history of being good neighbors, will have to endure the crowds that will descend.