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Happy MLK Day

"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true."


- Martin Luther King Jr.

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January Poetry Corner

KABUL
           - Saib-e-Tabrizi

Ah! How beautiful is Kabul encircled by her arid mountains
And Rose, of the trails of thorns she envies
Her gusts of powdered soil, slightly sting my eyes
But I love her, for knowing and loving are born of this same dust

My song exhalts her dazzling tulips
And at the beauty of her trees, I blush
How sparkling the water flows from Pul-I Bastaan!
May Allah protect such beauty from the evil eye of man!

Khizr chose the path to Kabul in order to reach Paradise
For her mountains brought him close to the delights of heaven
From the fort with sprawling walls, A Dragon of protection
Each stone is there more precious than the treasure of Shayagan

Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye
Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
And the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls

Her laughter of mornings has the gaiety of flowers
Her nights of darkness, the reflections of lustrous hair
Her melodious nightingales, with passion sing their songs
Ardent tunes, as leaves enflamed, cascading from their throats

And I, I sing in the gardens of Jahanara, of Sharbara
And even the trumpets of heaven envy their green pastures
 
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'Nuff Said

December Poetry Corner

I Remember When I Was Born
                       - Pearl Buck

I remember when I was born.

I do remember!

Through eternity I slept.
By its quiet waters swept,
In the silence safely kept.
All unknowing, night or day,
All unthinking, there I lay.
Suddenly, by life compelled,
I was free, no longer held,
Free to hear and feel and cry,
Free to live, or free to die;
Free to be that which am I.
I remember when I was born-
I do remember!

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Eastlight Theatre - 2012 Season

Children of Eden March 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 at 7:30pm March 25 at 2:00pm From Stephen Schwartz and John Caird comes a joyous and inspirational musical about parents, children and faith...not to mention centuries of unresolved family business! Freely based on the story of Genesis, CHILDREN OF EDEN is a frank, heartfelt, and often humorous examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children. Adam, Eve, Noah, and the “Father” who created them deal with the headstrong, cataclysmic actions of their respective children. The show ultimately delivers a bittersweet but inspiring message: “the hardest part of love...is letting go.” Rated PG

Oliver! June 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30pm June 24 at 2:00pm Nothing works on the stage like a well-crafted tale, and OLIVER! is just such a show. Based on the Dickens novel, it will be engaging with its pathos and drama, while delighting everyone with its outstanding musical numbers. Food, Glorious Food, I'd Do Anything, Where is Love?, Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me, Who Will Buy and Reviewing the Situation are musical theatre classics. Dickens' characters are brought to life-perhaps larger than life-with all their facets glowing in this production.Rated PG

Legally Blond the Musical ~ Regional Premier ~ August 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 at 7:30pm August 5 at 2:00pm Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take “no” for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious”, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Rated PG

YOUTHLIGHT 10TH YEAR CELEBRATION: Les Misérables September 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 at 7:30pm September 9 at 2:00pm This epic story recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th century France. Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean is released from his 19-year term and not only becomes an honest man, but the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father - violating his parole in the process. The relentless Inspector Javert, who makes a decent life for Valjean impossible, consequently pursues him. Only years later, after Valjean proves his mettle during a bloody student uprising and saves the life of a young man hopelessly in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed.Rated PG

The ALL NEW Joseph 2012! November 30, December 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 at 7:30pm December 2 & 9 at 2:00pm The ALL NEW Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns for it's 22nd year on Eastlight's stage! This Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical tells the story of Joseph and his eleven brothers. It was created as a soft rock fantasy that is fit for the entire family. Thousands of people have enjoyed the magic that is Joseph, so be sure to join us for this Central Illinois holiday favorite! Rated Family Friendly .

Giving Thanks - 2011

Thanksgiving is absolutely the best holiday on the calendar.


No church-going obligations (or guilt for not going!).
No stress and rush with shopping for gifts or addressing cards.
No flags to hoist or parades to attend.

Nope, Thanksgiving is only about eating and visiting with loved ones. And these just happen to be two of my very favorite things in the whole world.

My mother was the glue that held our family together. When she passed at a much too early age, my brothers and sisters and I divided up the holidays with a promise to never drift apart. I was fortunate to claim Thanksgiving as my holiday to host. Although most of my family live 90 miles south, this is the one day of the year when most of them drive up to spend the day at my house.

It promises to be a day of good food and good times...a little reminiscing, a little looking forward, a little laughing, and maybe even a tear or two.

Like most of you, my family and loved ones are at the very top of my things-to-be-thankful-for list.


Here's wishing everyone a great day with family and friends!


Don't forget to stop and consider ALL the things you have to be thankful for.

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