Catherine Hobart – Pittsburgh, PA

Hurricane Katrina was a devastating event that affected hundreds of thousands of people and killed nearly two thousand more. Family, friends, homes, almost everything was gone in an instant. Nowhere to return to, searching for loved ones, nearly a lifetime gone; can you imagine? After two trips to help Katrina victims, I believe people need to be more willing to help and not forget those in need.

I desire to help people and positively impact lives. Senior year I took advantage of an opportunity that intensified and fulfilled this desire. I attended a trip that was such an amazing experience that it changed my life. A teacher from my high school took a group to Mississippi to work with Habitat for Humanity. During the week, we diligently worked on a house for a woman, Eagle, to move into. Throughout the week, I not only helped to construct the house, but also listened to Eagle’s story of how Katrina affected her. As if seeing the physical damage in the area was not enough, listening to the personal stories and heartache people suffered, really put life into perspective. I feel since never suffering a tragedy myself, I tended to take things for granted. Eagle explained how everything she had and loved washed away before her eyes within minutes. She shared what her current living situation was, which was heart breaking. She lived in a trailer, which was a place to stay, but was not favorable one. It was startling how Eagle’s entire life changed without her control. Her story of surviving Katrina was touching, shocking, and life changing all in one.

In 2010 when I made my first trip, I witnessed a great amount of devastation. I was shocked and amazing how much devastation remained when I went to New Orleans this past February with Duquesne, nearly seven years after the storm. The sense of devastation was still evident, but through the trouble, pain, and suffering, a sense of hope still shined. Again, we worked with Habitat and had a similar heart touching experience. This time, people volunteering on their own were there. They had amazing personalities and reasons of why they were volunteering. One particular lady I found incredible and inspiring. She felt the need to help people from the storm and decided to drive from Phoenix, Arizona to volunteer for a month with Habitat. Working alongside her showed me how caring some people are. Additionally, I had the chance to tour the Lower Ninth Ward, the area most affected by the storm to see some more of the damage first hand.

All in all, the amazing and selfless work that was put forth by others and seeing progress is inspiring, but the need for help is truly eye opening and puts life into perspective. It is people willing to give time and effort that impact others, and that is why I believe people need to be more conscious and willing to help those in need.

Catherine Hobart graduated from Baldwin High School and is going to be a third year pharmacy student at Duquesne University.  She is part of Lambda Kappa Sigma, Best Buddies, and had gone on the Spiritan Campus Ministry Cross-Cultural Mission Experience trip.  She is also going to be a Resident Assistant for Duquesne Resident’s Life.

I believe in the ability of music to communicate to the receptive mind the emotions of another person.  The right music at the right time can cross boundaries that words cannot, and bring about the realization that you are not alone in your emotions, but that others share them.  I am sure I am not unique in this belief, but I learned it at a young age, and has been an important influence on the rest of my life.

I don’t recall exactly how old I was, but I was in elementary school.  Everyone else in the family was going somewhere for a short while, but I stayed home because I didn’t feel well.  Not only was I alone in the house, I was feeling very alone in general, out of step with the other kids in my grade a school, a bit peculiar, and prone to melancholy thoughts.  My father, who still plays the clarinet in his eighties, and who received the gift of music from his mother, a piano teacher, left some classical recordings for me to listen to if I wished.  I more or less at random chose Brahms Fourth Symphony in e minor, and from the very opening notes was totally absorbed, and felt the music speaking directly to me.

Now if you know that symphony, that fact that it resonated with my state of mind will confirm for you that I was in a pretty somber mood that day, and perhaps an odd preadolescent in general. The first two movements are alternately dramatic and tender, dignified but sad, certainly not in line with what most adults would guess that a child would empathize with.  Besides, why would a child relate to a symphony written by a man in his fifties?    What I remember is that I felt an immediate recognition of the emotional content, but also a sense that this state of mind was not hopeless, could be endured, and transcended.  When the joyous third movement began, I was ready for its hopeful optimism.

How has this event influenced my life?  First and foremost, when it came time for me to pick a musical instrument, I picked the horn, an instrument dear to Brahms, and capable of great expression.  I have continued to play it for over 40 years, and if I am as lucky as my father, will have another couple of decades to enjoy playing with orchestras and chamber groups.  That activity takes me out of the everyday and clears my mind of clutter, connecting me with others in ways that other activities do not.  By performing I share the music I enjoy with others, and hope that at least on occasion, the music that we play will reach a receptive mind at the right moment and allow them to feel that wonderful connection from the music’s creator through the performers to them.

Barbara Folb has played the horn since the age of 11, and regularly performs in the Pittsburgh area with the Aeolian Winds of Pittsburgh, the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, Undercroft Opera, and the Pittsburgh Horn Club.  When not playing the horn, Barbara can be found at the University of Pittsburgh, working as a public health informationist and librarian.

The Allegheny County Library Association is pleased to announce the 10^th anniversary One Book, One Community keynote events with featured book editor and This I Believe executive director Dan Gediman who will be visiting Pittsburgh in early May.  Events are free and open to the public.  Registration is requested.

On Tuesday, May 1 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm Dan Gediman will be speaking at Essential Public Radio, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.  The WYEP Community Broadcast Center is located in Pittsburgh’s historic South Side.  On-street parking is available around the building, as well as a City of Pittsburgh parking lot on 12^th and Carson – just a block and a half from the building.

An encore brown bag lunch event will occur on Wednesday, May 2 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at Gumberg Library at Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282.  Parking is available for a fee at the Forbes Avenue Parking Garage with an entrance on Forbes Avenue.  The Gumberg Library is located on Locust Street near the garage.

Join these conversations and hear about the rich history of This I Believe and how the books, radio show and organization have made an impact worldwide collecting and sharing the core personal philosophies of people from all walks of life.  Local essayists will be featured at each event.  Refreshments will be provided.  There are three ways to register: visit onebookonecommunity.org and select “Events,” register by phone at 412.921.1123 ext 305 or join the event on Facebook.

This year’s One Book, One Community feature title, This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, is a New York Times bestseller featuring 80 essayists (60 from the NPR series and 20 from the 1950s series) sharing their most deeply held beliefs.  Contributors include Isabel Allende, Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem, Penn Jillette, Helen Keller and John Updike. These short essays echo the reality of life, in a mix of reflective, humorous and poignant perspectives.

This I Believe is also an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives.  This type of community dialogue and experience is the essence of One Book.  People throughout the region are invited to read, discuss, write and share both locally and nationally their beliefs.

For details on how you, your book club or your organization can participate, stop by your local library or visit onebookonecommunity.org for activity suggestions, discussion resources, and the One Book guest blog featuring residents of our region. The title is available in print, on CD and as a downloadable audio.

For additional information, please contact the Allegheny County Library Association at 412.921.1123. This year’s One Book, One Community program is brought to you by the Allegheny County Library Association with support from various sponsors and community partners.

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I believe that much good and ill fortune in life is bestowed upon us by fate.  We mistakenly believe that we have earned our good fortune through our strength character, our hard work and superior individual efforts.  We fail to realize that most of the good things in life come to us unearned by the caprice of fate.  Were you born graced with strong physical and mental health, intelligence, and strength of character?  Were you born to loving, responsible parents who cared and sacrificed for you?  Were you born in a time and place of peace, freedom, opportunity and prosperity?

Is it not the ultimate hubris to believe that we have earned all our good fortune by dint of our virtuous self efforts?  And what of those who are born into a debilitating culture of fear, ignorance and hate or the ravages of war, political oppression, disease, or are the victims of negligent, abusive parents?  Are such people somehow responsible for their wretched circumstances?  And what of those born into abject poverty or an oppressed racial or religious minority?  Can we justly fault such people for their failure to lift themselves up by their boot straps?

Yes, we all have a responsibility to make the most of our gifts and to assume responsibility for ourselves and our loved ones.  But those blessed by fate with abundant good fortune must also recognize the capricious nature of their gifts and resolve to give back to the larger society in meaningful ways. At this point in human history, it is all the more urgent that we do so since we are all increasingly interdependent upon one another via technology, government and commerce in a world of rapidly growing population and strained natural resources. Ultimately, we all share a common destiny. The days of the isolated, self sufficient pioneer are morphing into a world where interdependence, cooperation, depth of knowledge and social justice are essential to achieve a better future for all.

Norman Wien is a retired VP of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Country Library Association volunteer for library conversation groups.

I work with all ages from toddlers through seniors. I love walking into a classroom of preschoolers, so brightly colored and vibrant, and know that we will have fun. Everything at that age is about exploration and discovery, and what’s not fun about that? I can pretend that we are animals walking through a jungle, and, without any hesitation, together we take an imaginary journey through the jungle, “seeing” and “hearing” different things. Even if we see a dog or hear a car zooming by, we go along with it because there’s an underlying logic to their imaginary play even if they can’t verbally articulate it. There seems to be no limits to how their knowledge of the world can be molded and fit into any experience they encounter. How refreshing, these possibilities!

But then I walk into a room of 8^th graders, where teachers are yelling at them to sit in their seats and be quiet (oh the irony). They are defiant in the ways their mouths are set. They are apathetic in the way their bodies slouch and lounge in their chairs. I tell them that in my classroom, when I am with them, there are few rules. Just respect, just participate, and just play. The first two rules they hear all the time, but the third? Play? What is that? Like recess? And then we begin with the simplest of icebreakers, the “incredible thumb grab,” and within 30 seconds, I have them not only laughing and smiling, but cooperating with the people next to them whom 30 seconds prior they wouldn’t possibly have looked at, let alone physically touch. And yet they did in this world of play.

Or, I facilitate a creative movement class for seniors, and the first statement they say to me is, “I can’t dance.” I respond, “Can you move? Can you move your eyes? Can you move your toes?” So far no one has ever said no, and so I tell them, “If you can move, you can dance.” And then I take them through a variety of activities that in some ways resemble their “Sit and Fit” classes, but in others do not. I ask them to use their memories, thoughts, and imagination to create new movements. I ask them to connect their body and mind. I tell them, “There is no right or wrong answer. Just possibilities. So move and see what happens. Just play.” They want to—I can see they want to—but letting go and trusting the underlying logic of play is the hardest part.

I ponder these examples, and I conclude that slowly, play disappears from our lives. Why? Why is play such a dirty word once you’re over the age of 8? I believe that to reconnect with one another and to experience our life to the fullest, we need to reinvest in our imaginations and find the joy of play! Our reality is so much better when we can imagine the possibilities it has to offer.

Alyssa Herzog Melby is the Director of Education and Community Engagement with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She is discovering the joy of play again with her infant daughter, Adela.

I believe in Pittsburgh. I do! I believe in the specialness of the city of my birth, the city where I have spent my entire life—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  And I’ve done plenty of soul-searching about it: is it my illusion that this city is in any way unique, or better, or more anything than any place else?  Does it seem this way to me because it’s my hometown? Am I rationalizing because I am stuck here? Or do I just not know any better?

My old friend, poet Gerald Stern, another hometowner, called it “beautiful, filthy Pittsburgh,” and I thank him for the “beautiful,” but let’s face it, Gerry, the “filthy” designation applied long, long ago, when you were a boy.  As I am not a kid anymore, either, I too remember when the Mon was coal-colored and putrid but I contend that the reasons for the dirtiness are part of what’s special, part of the uniqueness, part of the legacy.

So what am I talking about? A complex of factors, really, a coming together of history and geography and topography, in a way that favored the the most essential element in the mix—the people who built and lived and still live in this town. Pittsburghers.

And just to keep my credibility, I hasten to add that my city is not perfect: I note that sometimes there is less architectural integrity in evidence here than there should be. There are many examples. The corner of Fifth and Bellefield is hideous, due to a lack of taste and/or planning. So are some of our roadways. Routes 30 and 51 come to mind. We should not have lost the Syria Mosque. Nor should we have lost the Civic Arena, an iconic structure and part of our skyline, to the forces of political/economic/sports cronyism. I believe my Pittsburgh should have been better than that. I comfort myself with the realization that those responsible and benefitting from the destruction will also be remembered for it—their legacy will be that they destroyed the Civic Arena.

There are also problems here in education and transit, for example, but enough criticism. I love this city, with many good reasons…

Where else can a stranger stop and ask directions, and be escorted where he or she needs to go?

What other shot-and-a-beer town can claim one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras?

What other hard working people dug in and created the armaments that were a decisive element in winning World War 11?

What other city has a history of dynastic families who took, and prospered–but then generously gave back—-so much?

Where else can you become such an excellent driver? By learning to drive in Pittsburgh, you master hills, curves, ice and snow, and pothole dodging. You are set up to be able to drive anywhere.

In the 60’s, the tough years of civil rights and anti-war protest, Pittsburgh, unlike Detroit or Watts or Newark, was not burned down. Again, we are certainly not perfect, but I believe that among Pittsburghers there is a higher degree of civility, less tension, and  more sincere respect for the rights and dignity of one another than exists in other places.

One of our newspapers, in addition to publishing poetry, has a feature called “random acts of kindness.”

Yes, Pittsburghers are kind, friendly people.

And…

What other town saw the catastrophe of the collapse of its main industry, and a profound diminishing of population as a result, and followed it up with a vigorous reinvention of itself?

We are home to lively communities of artists, poets, musicians, thespians; we are home to great sports teams and ethnic neighborhoods and universities, theaters and restaurants and museums and libraries.

In the foreword to “Along These Rivers,” a collection of poetry and photography from Pittsburgh, which I co-edited with Michael Wurster in honor of the 250^th anniversary of our city, I wrote:

“We know that our region has been blessed with 250 exciting years of history—it is a fact that the history of Pittsburgh profoundly parallels and intersects with so much of the history of America—as well as a richly realized, unique cultural heritage. We are a center of higher learning, as well as a place of ethnic diversity and great energy. Surrounded by rolling hills and filled with interesting culturally diverse neighborhoods, rivers and bridges, we can also lay claim to one of this country’s most beautiful skylines.

We share such abundant blessings in this nurturing little city, not the least of which is our community of artists.”

That was what I wrote then, in 2008. Rereading this, I think I may have written yet another Valentine; well, I suppose that’s what love will do.

Judith R. Robinson is an editor, teacher, fiction writer and poet.  She is author of The Beautiful Wife and Other Stories. She has served as editor of eight poetry collections, and author of two poetry collections; the  latest, Orange Fire, is forthcoming in autumn, 2012, from Main Street Rag Publishing.

“This I Believe and Beyond” is a result of a fabulous partnership between local author Sharon Lippincott and the Allegheny County Library Association. Mrs. Lippincott is the enthusiastic facilitator of a Lifestory writer’s group at the Monroeville Public Library. A proud supporter of libraries, Mrs. Lippincott generously gave her time and expertise to help create a personal essay writing program for the One Book, One Community initiative, and shared it with more than 30 area libraries at facilitator training sessions.

Participating in the “This I Believe and Beyond” writing workshop at your library is a great way to take part One Book, One Community 2012. This year’s theme not only celebrates the diversity of viewpoints within our community, but emphasizes the benefits of coming together to share our experiences and learn from one another. Local essays submitted through the One Book website will be featured at free public events featuring This I Believe executive director Dan Gediman.

One Book, One Community will run through early May including National Library Week (April 10-16). Begun in 1996 in Seattle, Washington, the One Book concept was developed to create a community of readers with a shared love of reading, writing and expressing ideas.  In 2003, Allegheny County chose To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, as its first One Book.  Since then various titles and themes have been discussed.

For additional information about attending a “This I Believe and Beyond” event, please contact your library. Visit www.onebookonecommunity.org for more information about other events, activity suggestions, and statements of personal belief from other community members. This year’s One Book, One Community program is brought to you by the Allegheny County Library Association with support from various sponsors and community partners.

Dan Gediman

We at This I Believe, Inc., are both honored and flattered that the Allegheny County Library Association has chosen our book, This I Believe, for its One Book, One Community read this year. As you’ll soon find out, this book is a collection of essays that are honest and intimate statements of personal belief. The stories in this book are not sermons or editorials. They don’t claim to have answers to all of life’s big questions. But what we hope you’ll find is a collection of authentic American voices telling the stories behind their core beliefs and the things they find important in life.

In this book, you will find essays by well-known names such as Bill Gates and Gloria Steinem, as well as statements from notable names of the 1950s, such as Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt. And you will also find stories by people you’ve never heard of, but after reading their words, you’ll feel as if you know them well.

When you read this book, you will likely find that you won’t agree with all of the beliefs in this collection. In fact, we have a saying in our office that honors the “box of chocolates” philosophy: Everyone has a different favorite. And this is where One Book, One Community comes in.

You have a special opportunity over the next few months to share your thoughts about this book with your neighbors, co-workers, even strangers. If you see someone in an elevator with a copy of This I Believe in her hand, ask which essay is her favorite. When you’re in line at the coffee shop, ask the person behind you if he has read the book yet.

The power of this idea comes after you’ve read the book. Unlike water-cooler discussions about the Steelers or Pirates (which, of course, have value!), this type of discussion gets to the core of who you are and what’s important to you. We hope that a shared reading of This I Believe provides the opportunity for everyone in Pittsburgh to share the stories of what is important—both as individuals and as a community.

Since 2004, our non-profit organization has promoted its mission of asking people from all walks of life to write and share these 500-word essays. To date, more than 110,000 individuals have submitted their own short statements of belief to our project.

Your One Book, One Community initiative is giving you both real and virtual spaces where the citizens of Pittsburgh can come together to discuss the core values that are the underpinnings of one’s actions. We hope everyone—from middle schoolers to lifelong learners, from corporate leaders to government officials, from your neighbors and friends to you—will take the opportunity to read this book, develop mutual understanding for beliefs that may be different from you own, and then ask yourself what you believe.

We think your One Book, One Community program exemplifies the very purpose and ideals of what a public library stands for. Please join everyone in Pittsburgh to share this common experience.

Dan Gediman, Executive Director, This I Believe

The Allegheny County Library Association is pleased to announce the 2012 One Book, One Community feature title This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman.  This New York Times bestseller features 80 essayists (60 from the NPR series and 20 from the 1950s series) sharing their most deeply held beliefs. Contributors include Isabel Allende, Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem, Penn Jillette, Helen Keller and John Updike. These short essays echo the reality of life, in a mix of reflective, humorous and poignant perspectives.

There is no better theme to celebrate the tenth year of One Book, One Community.  This I Believe is also an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives.  This type of community dialogue and experience is the essence of One Book. People throughout the region are invited to read, discuss, write and share both locally and nationally their beliefs.

Public launch of this year’s program will begin in early March with events leading up to May 1 and 2 with book editor and This I Believe executive director Dan Gediman visiting Pittsburgh for free public events at Essential Public Radio and Gumberg Library at Duquesne University and for area students at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.  Complete details and registration for events will be available on the One Book website.  Local essays submitted through the One Book website will be featured at key events.

Libraries will host events to inspire conversation, including book discussions, conversation groups and writing groups. One Book, One Community will run through early May including National Library Week (April 10-16). Begun in 1996 in Seattle, Washington, the One Book concept was developed to create a community of readers with a shared love of reading, writing and expressing ideas.  In 2003, Allegheny County chose To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, as its first One Book.  Since then various titles and themes have been discussed.

For details on how you, your book club or your organization can participate, stop by your local library or visit onebookonecommunity.org for activity suggestions, discussion resources, and the One Book guest blog, featuring remarkable beliefs from residents of our region. The title is available in print, on CD and as a downloadable audio.

For additional information, please contact the Allegheny County Library Association at 412.921.1123. This year’s One Book, One Community program is brought to you by the Allegheny County Library Association with support from various sponsors and community partners.

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