May 12, 2013
Dear Honey Run Friends,
As I write this letter the sun is shining bright, the air is warm with a slight chill, and signs of rebirth and rejuvenation are all around me at Honey Run. I have been watching the developments over the past few weeks of the Boston bombing case and listening to the anger that abounds in the citizens of our great country over the events that unfolded on April 15. I think of the hundreds of people who died or were injured by the actions of a few. I hear the hateful speech directed at immigrants due to the fear people have of different cultures and ideas. While their anger over the bombing is justified, their anger at all immigrants and other religions is not. As I review the history of America this has always been present. We enacted laws in the 1920’s to create quotas to limit the entry of immigrants into our great nation. The funny thing about this is I am a product of “those” immigrants that were looked down upon by the residents of our country. Many of the great inventions and advancements that America has offered to the world have been through the work, ideas, and struggles of immigrants who came to America to make their life and the life of their family better. While evil is ever present in this life and world we do not have to allow this evil to destroy our peace and joy. It is up to each of us to choose to look at life through fear or hope. I pray that you choose hope.
The month of May is the birth month to two of our countries great immigrant stories. Irving Berlin was born in Russia and his family immigrated here when he was a young child. Even though he could not read or write musical notation, he became one of America’s greatest songwriters, blessing us with God Bless America and many other classic songs that give us a glimpse of hope through their words and melodies. Frank Capra was born in Italy and immigrated to the U.S. as a child also. After several years of odd jobs he landed his break in the film business and began creating successful films for Hollywood. As he matured in his career he began a string of celebrated films championing the common man and offering us a view of his Utopian vision. What I love about Capra’s films is that he takes the challenges of life, shows how these challenges directly affect us, and then journeys us to the correct perspective of loving one another and seeing that we are all blessed in this life. Mr. Berlin and Mr. Capra both gave our country the gift of hope through their work.
My hope is that in this world of evil and danger, our body of work at Honey Run provides you hope for a better tomorrow. I hope that the relationships that you share with friends and loved ones when visiting us and with our team members who become friends during your years of repeat visits, provides you a Capraesque vision of our utopia here at Honey Run. I look forward to seeing you soon and sharing with you our hopes and dreams for you as you escape reality for a moment and rejuvenate your soul so that you can return to your daily life and gift your positive attitude and love to the world.
Sincerely,
Jason
I won’t speak for everyone but I would like to comment on your idea of immigration. There is the correct way of entering this great nation and then there is the wrong way. I really feel sorry for the folks that have come here to work and hopefully make a better way of life for their family. The companies that brought them here, for cheap labor, are operating out of greed. I live in Dover/New Philadelphia area and it is looking like a third world country here. t’s amazing to drive by the chicken plants in the area and see the great additions that have been made to the businesses. I’m sure the employer’s homes have gotten bigger too and their kids and grandkids are getting college educations. It’s not politically correct, but it’s the truth. May you continue to prosper.
We spent a very peaceful few days at Honey Run in April, for our 45th. anniversary, thanks to our daughters gift certificate. The ambiance was superior to other B&B’s, and the massage was heavenly. Breakfast was very generous with attentive waitresses. Spring flowers were showing their heads and our walk to the pond was easy on the paved path while being chaperoned by one of the resident cats. Also spent some face time with the resident goat and sheep. Enjoyed watching the birds outside our picture window. What a wonderful place to unwind.
Thank you,
John & Margaret from Chardon
Jason–hooray on your comments on immigration…..
Thank you Jason for a well written editorial. You showed my husband and I a different perspective on this horrible tragedy. Blessings to you
Dear Jason,
So true. You can choose to look at life through fear or hope. Hope is good. Really good.
Anyhow, I just wanted to write to tell you, that my husband and I stayed at your Inn, last Sunday. Our visit was wonderful, from beginning to end. The staff was very kind and friendly. Your rooms are the comforts of home. Your food was dynamite. Probably one of the best, if not, the best, meals we have ever had. The atmosphere and surrounding area, very peaceful. We walked your hiking trails. It was great.
I wrote you a few months back in regards to coming to your place for a visit in May. We had just booked a visit to your Inn, and two days later, we found out that our baby died. It was a very hard time. And still is. Hope has gotten us to where we are today. And hope will continue to get us to the next day. Hope is good. Really good.
So, again, thank you for a well-written letter. I am so happy to have stayed at your Inn. We truly enjoyed every second of our “second honeymoon” celebrating 5 years married.
God bless,
Anne
Jason;
While your point at large regarding choosing “hope” over “fear” is well-taken, to compare immigrants from the days of Ellis Island, such as Berlin and Capra – two American-loving gentlemen whose contributions to the fabric of this country is unquestioned – to those here in this current day and age who may or may not seek to do us harm is ludicrous at best.
While we can’t constantly live in fear, we must remain alert and aware of the monsters who walk among us. It’s just the way it is. Unfortunately, we can’t “all just get along.”
To ignore the fact that the vast majority of the terrorism foisted upon us over the past two to three decades can be traced directly to mostly one “religion” or to people from a certain region of the globe is idiotic. You can run the risk of being labeled “racist” in this overly-PC atmosphere we currently reside in, or you can remain vigilant and report ANY suspicious behavior.
Perhaps if some who were very close to the terrorists in Boston chose to do just that at opposed to ignoring the impending danger while singing “Kumbaya”, the tragedy may have never happened.
See you soon,
GC
Jason,
Excellent letter–thank you for it. I must admit that when I started reading it I was more than a bit leery because it might have ended up as many of the comments did–hating people and cultures that are different simply because they are different. I’m delighted that you did not take that road.
It’s been too long since Kari and I have been up there. We’ll rectify that soon.
Bill
Jason, Wonderful insight. Think of you often. Hoping in time when I can be more mobile that I would love to come for a visit. Will keep in touch. Am healing well. Hope to ambulate without boot in 2 1/2 weeks. God Bless. Nancy
Dear Jason,
If the rest of the world could look at the it that way, what a much better world we would have. Thank you for waking us up!