Goodness witnessed at park
We attended the York Symphony concert in Farquhar Park. The weather was great and the music, as is standard fare for YSO, was delightful. In short -- the perfect venue for a gathering of about 300 friends. About half-way through the concert, my wife and I decided to make the downhill trek to use the restrooms. Along the macadam pathway, we encountered groups of all colors/races who were enjoying the park's facilities. Children's laughter and squeals of delight were emanating from the swing-set area that's immediately adjacent to the restrooms as we approached.
A scream rang out and parents frantically snatched children from the swings to dash away. Our first immediate thought was that a bee's nest had been disturbed. Others walking down the hill froze in their tracks. We noticed two men standing a short distance away with one bleeding rather badly. Lois and I immediately approached them to render assistance while I dialed 911 to request police and an ambulance. Others in the area came up to see if they too could help.
It was heartening to see that those who stepped up to offer assistance represented an ethnic cross-section. There was no color or race barrier -- just folks looking to help another individual who was obviously hurt. The folks who later offered to pray were also doing what they too thought was right.
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The two York City policemen who responded went above and beyond routine duty in their professionalism, courtesy to all in the immediate vicinity, and their overall concern for Dr. Hupper's well being. Once the ambulance arrived, we returned to the concert and located Dr. Hupper's chair. Jan and Fred Botterbush (my wife's sister) said they'd stop by the hospital to check in on Dr. Hupper and deliver his chair to his home. They also arranged for a friend of Hupper's to go to the hospital until his wife was able to leave work and join him.
What occurred was brutal and gut-wrenching, but the inherent good that resides in the majority of folks was in plain sight immediately following the attack.
The city has stated they will be placing a portable restroom at the top of the hill, by the concert area, so that folks won't need to hike the hill and that police patrols will be increased in the area during concerts. In short -- there is no need for anyone to feel unsafe at these events. There's plenty of parking and access for ADA is quite easy. I know we will be returning to the concert series and we would encourage others to do the same.
Dave Yates
York
Reading this letter leaves me speechless.
The only thing it calls to mind is a "sick joke" that I heard many years ago.
Goes something like this:
"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"