A sampling of what’s right in Red Oak

It’s time for me to come clean: sometimes, I complain too much.

I’ve been especially negative lately. I don’t like the sign ordinance. Too conforming and it’s going to cost too many businesses entirely too much money in my opinion.

I think it’s strange not to require trash pick up, and even more strange for the state to ban fireworks in the name of safety, while allowing people to ride motorcycles without helmets.

I realize when I opine ad nauseum about these subjects, I can come across as very critical, negative, and generally unhappy.

And you know what? I shouldn’t.

That’s really not a fair representation of me and my perspective of Red Oak.

I just spent a great weekend with my wife, enjoying the theatre one night, and great live music the next, and I never left a two-mile radius of my home to do it.

Friday night, we visited the Wilson Performing Arts Center for the production of Tuesday’s With Morrie.

I was familiar with the sportswriter who wrote the best-selling novel upon which the play was based, and as such, always had a passing interest and desire to see the production. So when I heard it was coming to Red Oak, I knew I had to see it, with or without my wife.

One big difference between my wife and myself is she hates movies or plays or books with sad endings. Me, I love them. Maybe it’s the realist in me. Or maybe I just like a good cry once in a while at someone else’s expense.

Regardless, I got that good cry Friday night. The play was everything I could expect. Considering tickets cost a pittance ($10 each), it was a great experience.

Saturday night, Touchstone Arts Council hosted its fourth and final home concert, with a performance by pianist Dan Knight.

The Ottumwa native performed several jazz standards on Helen Murphy’s grand piano, and quite frankly, I can’t remember the last time music stirred my emotions so.

In fact, it had probably been about five years ago when I heard the Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing just after the Katrina disaster. The emotions they brought to the stage and their performance was second to none.

But Knight nearly singlehandedly duplicated that intensity and passion Saturday night, again, right here in Red Oak.

For a town this size, it astounds me the cultural offerings we have available right at our fingertips.

Regretfully, I do sometimes feel it is a resource that is overlooked, and taken for granted.

But I can’t stress enough, as someone who has spent the last 20 plus years of his adult life in towns of equivalent, and larger size, it is a unique aspect of this community, that should be treasured.

Both the Performing Arts Center (and the productions that come to it) and the Touchstone Arts Council are true jewels for this community.

They deserve our support, and the people behind them deserve our admiration.

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express, and can be contacted at publisher@redoakexpress.com