Susan Rushton commentary: Historian, symphony, grief, laughter, music, stories, seniors

I meandered through Facebook last Wednesday night, putting off writing this column as long as possible. Then I saw Phil Sexton's announcement – he learned some astonishing news and felt obligated to share it. He has been selected to receive the 2023 Placer County History Award. And his reaction? "I think that the proper adjective here is gobsmacked." Phil and his wife, Norma – she plays cello for the Auburn Symphony – live in South Auburn. I know her because we belong to Auburn AAUW. So I have their phone number, and I immediately called to congratulate him. I can't do shorthand, so I can't share all he said. But he certainly feels honored and delighted – and "extraordinarily blessed." Phil loves his work learning Placer history, sharing Placer history, finding items that might not seem to matter to others but do to him ... and putting them together to learn something new. And the opportunity to share it. "I'm honored and humbled," he said. "I love this place, and I love the ability to share stories. I'm having the time of my life. I'm extraordinarily blessed. Placer is an amazing county." I don't know when or where Phil will receive his award, but I'll keep my eye out. Maybe he'll let me know. Hint, hint, Phil. ... Don and I attended the Auburn Symphony's first Masterworks Concert on Sunday, Oct. 8. We both had thrills and tears – yes, I just can't help myself. Neither can Don. At intermission, I introduced myself to the woman next to me. This was Cynthia Cecil, who has lived in Sun City Roseville for a year. "Where did you live before?" I asked. The answer was Ellicott City, Maryland. And now she lives in Placer County. Almost immediately upon getting settled, she discovered the Auburn Symphony. Cynthia and her husband have been around – they found elegant symphonies in Washington, D.C., as well as Los Angeles and elsewhere. And they're thrilled with Auburn's symphony. And I am thankful to Judith Shively, Cynthia's friend, who introduced her to the symphony. Although I didn't get a chance to meet Judith, that music lover sat on the other side of Cynthia. If you haven't experienced the Auburn Symphony, do yourself a favor and investigate auburnsymphony.com. ... On Oct. 14 at Sierra Foothills Unitarian Universalists, Don and I joined many others who were all sorry Fred Waters is no longer with us. The SFUU sanctuary was packed, and even as all of us miss Fred – one of the most patient and quiet men I've ever known – all of us were eager to laugh as his relatives and friends remembered him. I had only known him a few years. The others all knew where all he worked, where he'd lived – all over the world – and how wise and how kind and friendly he was. Ah well. Fred is missed. Larry Smith, a member of the church, approached afterward. He knows I'm interested in bumper stickers and the like, and he shared one with me. This item he saw in a bookstore in Ashland, Oregon: "Go to hell, I'm reading." Har. Also, because he knows about Casey, our boxer, he quoted from somewhere: "A boxer is God's way of showing us that He has a sense of humor." ... At 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, the Auburn Winds, our Official Town Band, presents "Drumroll, Please!" – the band's fall concert. The event is outside at Recreation Park, 123 Recreation Drive – so bring your chairs. The band provides a variety of cool stuff, including the Blues Brothers, marches, Holst, Berlioz – as well as rock and roll and more. Admission is free. For information, email info@auburnwinds.org. ... Those who know have encouraged me to attend the State Theatre's showing of "Coco" on Friday, Oct. 27 – at the New Auburn Cemetery, 1040 Collins Drive. The event starts at 5 p.m. for activities and a costume contest. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring your chairs and blankets. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. For information: auburnstatetheatre.org. ... The Open Mic for the Spoken Word, from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, will be a spooky story day! Chery Anderson invites all to the Beecher Room of the Auburn Library, 350 Nevada St. for stories – oral telling, poetry or reading your own or someone else's work. The time is eight minutes and speakers are selected on a volunteer basis. Free and open to the public. Come be the audience or be the floor show. Contact Chery for more info: taleteller2@gmail.com. ... Auburn Senior Center presents Taste of the Foothills, 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Sierra Building at Gold Country Fairgrounds. This event includes great food and local beer and wine. Tickets are $30 per person or $55 per couple. Purchase tickets at auburnseniorcenter.com or at the Senior Center, 11960 Heritage Oak Place. For more info, call 530-823-8172. That's my town. Got any items for me? Email me at goldcountrydenizens@gmail.com.