Many hands make light work

JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
Posted 8/16/17

I had difficulty determining whether that phrase is an idiom or a proverb, but since an idiom can “often be misunderstood from the meanings of its individual words,” while a proverb is a …

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Many hands make light work

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I had difficulty determining whether that phrase is an idiom or a proverb, but since an idiom can “often be misunderstood from the meanings of its individual words,” while a proverb is a “short popular saying expressing belief that is generally thought to be true” (www.wikipedia.com) I’m going with proverb. Either way, the title has come in handy today. Slightly frantic (who me?) over my lack of safety glasses with which to view the upcoming solar eclipse (Monday, 8/21; check local times), I put out a distress signal on social media and asked my friends to lend a helping hand. Although I’ve yet to secure a pair, the responses are flooding my inbox, and I feel confident that by the time it rolls around, I won’t have to use the pin-hole in a paper plate, old-school method. Meanwhile, in a tip of the hat to synchronicity, hands have been popping up at every turn, as Dharma the Wonder Dog and I cruise through the Upper Delaware River region, scouting for arts and leisure opportunities.

Although I was not feeling at the top of my game and therefore forced to bow out of a few things, I did manage to catch country duo Florida Georgia Line in concert at Bethel Woods last Thursday. The guys (Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley) have been on fire for a while, climbing the charts and making music with the likes of rap superstar Nelly, with whom they recently recorded a remix of the song “Cruise” and together have taken their “Smooth Tour” on the road. Also on hand were country crooners Ryan Hurd and Chris Lane, both of whom appear to be wildly popular, evidenced by many hands in the air all through the night, including those of the ladies reaching out to grasp a musician’s hand when offered. I’m a little too old to succumb to the allure of rap, but the SRO crowd at Bethel Woods went wild (literally) and the roars of approval were deafening throughout the hours-long concert.  I’m still reeling from the Santana concert, which was hands-down (IMHO) the highlight of the summer.

While making plans to attend Sunday’s Bagel Festival in Monticello, I was alerted to the fact that due to health issues, Rolling Stone photographer Baron Wolman was forced to bow out of taking part in the “WoodsTalk Live” series that same day in the Event Gallery at Bethel Woods, but that Woodstock Music Festival producer Michael Lang had offered a helping hand and would be hosting a book signing (‘Woodstock Festival Remembered’) in his place. With pen in hand, I altered my schedule and drove the dog to Monticello, NY, which by resolution of the State Assembly and Senate has been dubbed the “Bagel Capitol,” and all hands were on deck to make BagelFest a huge success. With more than a hundred vendors, two music stages and more bagels than you could shake a stick at, I joined thousands of others as we strolled Broadway (aka Bagel Blvd.) with friends and neighbors while enjoying a nosh or two, some with a schmear. I gotta hand it to the organizers of The Bagel Festival because in a few short years, they have managed to create an incredibly popular annual event that draws visitors to the region with great style and proves the proverb (idiom?) true. I’m not sure that an effort like this is “light work,” but clearly “many hands” are part of the process. Kudos to all involved.

After a wave of the hand to performers Bailey James and Amber Hayes, I paused to allow some kids (and NY State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther) to admire the dog who delicately offered a hand (er, paw) to her fans before we took our leave and headed over to the book signing. Approaching the venue, I spotted a few young musicians, guitars in hand, making their way up the hill and stopped them in order to snap a pic. “What?” Eryn Kelly exclaimed “Michael Lang is here today? Cool!” Turns out that Eryn and her brother Ian had come with band mate Max Sanders to the original Woodstock site in order to “feel the vibe” in conjunction with the 48th anniversary of the 1969 event. “Yep, it’s your lucky day,” I said. “Follow me.” Inside, the line snaked along smoothly as folks from near and far took advantage of the opportunity to shake hands with Lang and have him sign books, T-shirts, posters and all sorts of Woodstock memorabilia. “Can someone give us a hand?” asked Mario Ramirez, who with his wife Esperanza had traveled from Mexico to tour the museum commemorating Woodstock and the Sixties Experience. A volunteer assisted Ramirez, holding up the freshly-autographed poster, as I took a pic for the excited couple with their phone. Holding hands, they left the building giddy with joy over having met Lang. Once I arrived home, head in hand from exhaustion, I pondered how many ways I could beat a metaphor to death. Stop groaning—I think I nailed it.

P.S.: As of this printing, I was contacted by the fine folks at Morgan Outdoors in Livingston Manor, NY who were able to secure their last two pairs of eclipse-viewing glasses for me and the Wonder Dog. Like them on Facebook and visit the shop to discover how they can help you! Thanks, guys!

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