Dark Skies, Threats of Rain Push 'Old Hippies' to Koinonia Inn, where Covid-19 Rules Allowed Only 50 of the Fans in

This 2017 photo of the then-four-member band was taken in Epworth Hall by Nancy Sellar.

The Old Hippies were as good as good could be (as always) as they presented their fans with some great old songs and a few memories of the Mama's & the Papa's group of years gone by. Kay and Bill McDonald thrilled the audience with beloved tunes and vocals and popular fiddlist Vinny Pastore helped keep things upbeat with his gifted fiddle playing. 

The Old Hippies, not much older than many in their audiences, is usually one the Silver Lake Institute's best attended concerts (165 in 2017), and still was after considering the uniqueness of this pandemic year. The significant number of fans unable to get in to see the Old Hippies were able to tune in to 9l.9 FM radio to hear the concert which prevented a total loss. Others hung out around the building and could hear them on a limited basis through the open door on the lower level where the concert took place. 

Both SLI and the Asbury Retreat Center are always so generous and accommodating that when an outdoor concert is called because of rain, it's a little hard to take. There were 50 thanking their lucky stars to be among the first arrivals at the hall to get in. Others were sorely disappointed, disgruntled and somewhat angered that they weren't among the lucky earlier arrivals. 

This year the very popular Hippies group was featured as SLI's 9th annual consecutive end-of-the-season concert, along with being free, which just happened to be SLI's only public concert because of pandemic restrictions exercised for safety sake. The caution is good for a county like ours that has maintained its low numbers of infections during the entire time that other locations, states and counties had figures flying of the handle and stressing out a significant number of our fellow citizens. Stress and disbelief concerns can hardly compete when it comes to the nearly 200,000 families experiencing the harsh and unnecessary loss of loved ones to the pandemic. 

Already SLI is feeling better prepared for next season (202l) having gone through a number of wild and often disappointing experiences. Some still hope for a cure or a vaccine by then, but others make preparations for operating and performing with at least some restrictions still in place. Others continue to hide out in safety, while some throw caution to the wind by partying. Some dangers can be overcome with caution while others seem not to be avoided. Let's hope we can all "get a break" or some limited breaks while we size up our future and that of our nation.