3rd Selectman Helen Garten has performed many roles in the Marpe administration.
Her latest: detective.
She’s been asked to sniff out the story behind the “peace pole” that stands at the entrance to Town Hall.
“No one I’ve asked can recall how or when it got there,” she says. “Many people have never noticed it before.”
Including, most definitely, me.
If you know when, why and how that sign got there, click “Comments.”
PS: The Westport Sunrise Rotary’s “Make Peace” booth at the Mini-Maker Faire had its own, similar peace pole.
PPS: September 21 was the International Day of Peace.
Sent from my iPhonelp
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I pause for a moment when I spot homes with peace signs on them…one on Harbor Road just over the bridge to Saugatuck Island. Two more on the far side of the bridge at Mill Pond. Maybe there are more. I think a peace sign on a home sends a special, hopeful, silent message to all who pass. I like that.
I think the peace pole are a nice “warm and fuzzy” he’s thre, but they are truly needed in the Middle East right now…maybe someone can sneak up on An ISIS command center and plant one outside their tent!
A hollow pole made from petroleum. I’ll stop there.
The pole makes me happy. Maybe it was left over from Gathering of the Vibes. They were everywhere at the event.
@Morley: Actually, they are most likely made from natural gas. No one in North America uses naptha due to the economics of oil versus gas. On the other hand, I am not sure how you answered this blog with a computer that does not contain plastic and was at least partially powered by coal and natural gas.
Westport has always seemed like a pretty peaceful place.
Then again, there is that problem that many seem to have with “outsiders”.
Dan, I just told Helen to ask you since you know about everything that goes on in town. And then I opened you blog. I haven’t a clue either.
Estelle
Paul, thanks for setting me straight. How about synthetic and hollow?
Synthetic, hollow, Ha! Too much cynicism for a place that boasts a Peace pole that, albeit, few have noticed.
How about we “air strike” ISIS regions (ISIL, ISILE … WhatEVER) with smoke bombs of marjuana (processed of course in Colorado, then “sold” to the military). Then those nut bags might start making their very own peace poles, with rainbow themed art … you know, the works!
You’re so right Nancy. It’s a little wordy but, based on Paul’s expert guidance, I really should have gone with the more technically accurate “most likely gassy on the outside, unquestionably empty on the inside”. My bad.
In all seriousness, I don’t have a big issue with the peace pole – it’s an aspirational message that, while likely unobtainable in a world that always has and always will be ruled by the aggressive use of force, is something to strive for. Topically speaking, I’m sure everyone wished peace poles worked better than cruise missiles on the growing list of people that want to kill us and break our stuff. Sadly, in this regard, plastic isn’t that fantastic.
Well, regarding symbolism, to each his own.
Regarding peace, one must visit the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima.
Go get ’em, Helen. Many of us are wondering how/who/when it got there.
Nah! You won’t be disturbing the peace! 😊