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By the end of this blessed Easter weekend, my heart was filled with joy and two songs resounded in my soul that have great meanings for me.  When I was a preschool teacher, I loved teaching the children this song, “the more we get together, together, together, the more we get together, the happier we’ll be. For my friends are your friends and your friends are my friends, the more we get together the happier we’ll be.” I rejoiced in this song because over the weekend, I saw our city get together in wonderful ways.

My life’s mission is to try in every way I can to help communities celebrate all people, and their diversity, history and culture.  You could see this celebrated all over Washington with great events like the Sunrise Service in Festival Park sponsored by Harbor Church. All kinds of people in one accord celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great songs of praise and fellowship. What an awesome event!

The Drifter’s Concert sponsored by the City of Washington and the Inner Banks Stem Center at Warren Field Airport had hundreds of people dancing, singing and enjoying good music and fellowship.

There were people in town from many states this weekend visiting families and enjoying all that Washington has to offer. We were especially thankful for all the families that visited the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum and learned how all kinds of people here in the greater Washington/Beaufort County area created and lived out the ideals of fellowshipping and working together.  Truly, the more we get together, and learn of each other, respect each other and understand each other the happier we’ll be.

I also rejoiced in one of the songs sung at the Sunrise service, ‘Because He Lives.”  Because He, Christ lives, we can face the future and uncertain days ahead with assurance.  The present times can look troubling, but we can live together, treating people with dignity, compassion and respect.  That is essentially what the underground railroad was.  All kinds of people working together to create harmony and a better life for all involved.  The more we get together celebrating wonderful ideals like these, the happier and stronger we will all be.

I am loving the collaborations of the organizations in the greater Washington/Beaufort County area.   There are many events planned for our community this spring and summer.  Events that will bring people from all over to enjoy with us. The Maritime Market, the Summer Festival, Fourth of July events and History Day to name just a few.  History Day is a collaboration of the City of Washington, The Washington Harbor District Market, The Underground Railroad Museum, The Brown Library and the Estuarium, just to name a few local organizations who will have history stations located through the city to celebrate the history of all the greater Washington/Beaufort County residents.

In addition, Arts of The Pamlico and the Washington Tourism Board will soon launch their Beaufort County Arts and Culture Trail to celebrate the wonderful venues that promote history, culture and the arts for all the greater Washington Beaufort County residents. And to mention just one more thing, The City of Washington, the Underground Railroad Museum and The Brown Library is launching the Pomeroy Marker Story Trail (the brainchild of former City Council member, Virginia Finnerty) with markers throughout down town that highlight great stories like Roy Rogers and his Horse Trigger at the Turnage Theater, the ghost at the Beaufort County Courthouse and, the legend of Jack’s Creek.  We have so much to celebrate in our town. Let’s do it together and the happier we’ll be.

 

Leesa Jones is a Washington native, co-founder and co-executive director of the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum.