The Inauguration crowds - as captured by Sam Barger.
What a remarkable Inauguration Day for our 44th President of the United States! How nice to have a “snow day” so school children could be at home to watch the proceedings with their families. We have some photos from D.C. resident Sam Barger and his report from the mall.
People around the world tuned in to hear President Obama’s speech and watch the festivities from parade to elegant evening balls. Despite primitive conditions in much of Pakistan, many listened on radios or televisions, as Jan Wetmore could attest having visited this country for three weeks over the holidays. We report on her trip. Also a note about the fascinating personalities under one roof at The Pines and a teaser about an upcoming interview with Libby Appel. Plus a note about Davidson Dash – it starts later this month.
INAUGURATION DAY
It was a cold, windy, exciting day at the Mall.
Sam Barger, son of Hugh and Brenda Barger, has lived and worked in our nation’s capital for two years. Your Around Davidson correspondent asked him to take his camera and check on the crowds along the mall. The flags at the Washington Monument were flying straight out in the strong, bitter cold wind. From a closer look at the people on the mall and it is evident that the temperature was brisk as well. With a wind chill factor in the teens, visitors bundled up again. Hand and foot warmers were best sellers for vendors along with every other kind of Obama merchandise imaginable.
Sam arrived on the mall shortly before noon and found security light. The immense crowds were enthusiastic and excited from the moment the inauguration ceremony began. Watching on big TV screens throughout the mall from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, onlookers cheered and chanted, but also sang with Aretha Franklin and bowed heads during the prayers. Sam mentioned that he heard many different languages spoken, saw young and old in the crowd and many ethnicities represented. We thank Sam for the time he took to photograph the scenes on the mall. Did he stay for the parade? Not a chance, he said, because of the already immense crowds waiting for hours along the route and the seemingly impenetrable security. Plus it was nice to bicycle home and thaw out in the comfort of his apartment!
HOLIDAYS IN PAKISTAN
The Wetmore family: (l-r) Granddaughter Katie, Jan, daughter-in-law Joyce, and son, Bob.
Jan Wetmore, who has lived at The Pines at Davidson for more than four years, loves to travel. What a wonderful excuse to take a trip to Pakistan over the holidays to visit her family. With a non-stop flight from JFK to Lahore, Jan was met by her son, Bob Wetmore and her daughter-in-law, Joyce. Bob took a position there teaching religion at Forman Christian College (www.fccollege.edu.pk) eight months ago. The college was founded in 1864 with the motto: “By love, serve one another.” The Pakistani government took over the facility in 1972 and it remained under government rule until 2003 when it was returned to the Presbyterian Church USA. With over 4,000 students now, it is once again thriving as a Christian school.
Bob is learning Urdu, the language of this Muslim country, but lectures in English at the college. Joyce helps frequently in class. He and Joyce like the college and the country well enough to consider selll=ing their home in the States and living in Lahore permanently. One of their children, Katie, is now working and teaching in an orphanage in India and was able to join her parents and grandmother, Jan, for the holidays. Jan mentioned that there is no celebration of Christmas or New Year’s in Lahore although they did attend a special Christmas service at a church outside the city followed by a festive dinner.
With a hand-painted truck, you can drive in style.
What was Jan’s impression of Pakistan after three weeks in Lahore and surrounding countryside? She found the traffic terrible, the pollution worse, running water and electricity not always available, but the people polite and friendly. Each day presented new and interesting challenges. She was fascinated by the vendors and the tiny shops on every street in Lahore. Jan never went out unless wearing traditional dress of pants, long tunic and scarf – always in beautiful, colorful, coordinated fabrics. She traveled in Lahore by motorcycle rickshaw surrounded by ample exhaust fumes but on day trips outside the city had the use of a car and driver with her family. She particularly enjoyed a visit to the largest salt mine in the world not far from Lahore.
Life in the fast lane?
Impressed by Greg Mortensen’s book, “Three Cups of Tea,” she hoped to visit one of the schools he built in a distant village. Due to the current political unrest and the long journey to get there, she had to abandon her her goal. If you have a chance to visit with Jan, get her to show you her Pakistani garments, puppet, and of course, hundreds of photos. What an adventure!
NOTEWORTHY NOTES
Libby Appel
When you volunteer at The Pines you quickly learn that the residents have remarkable backgrounds and fascinating stories to tell. This week DavidsonNews.net editor David Boraks and your Around Davidson correspondent had the distinct privilege of interviewing Libby Appel, a 15 year “Piner” with a zest for living and making people smile. This youthful 94 1/2 year old will soon be featured in a “4-minute” interview on www.davidsonnews.net. Can’t wait!
Sauni Wood, a longtime resident of North Main Street, reminds us about Davidson Dash. This pilot transportation program will start at the end of this month. Need a ride to a spot in town? Davidson Dash will pick you up at your home and deliver you back – all for $1. Call Sharon Williams at Parks and Recreation Office for more details (704.892.3349). (See our Jan. 8 article announcing the Davidson Dash, “Town plans a weekly shuttle bus for seniors.”)
Send us your news
Have news for Brenda? Write to her at hbarger@bellsouth.net.
