What’s A June Bug Got to Do With It?

Yesterday I was coming down the stairs to our clubhouse at our park and noticed that the stairs were littered with June Bugs.  Most of them were dead, having died last evening in their race to the outdoor lights there.  I don’t know what they do when they get there, but it seems that many of them don’t make it.  One of them was flailing about on its back, trying to right itself.  With a little nudge, the June Bug righted itself and considered what to do next.  I went on my way. 

I’ve been thinking about the San Pedro River Arts Council a lot since I made the difficult decision to leave it.  The people on the Board, the friends I’ve made along the way, the Artists and their incredible talent, the City, the Schools and the Community are all parts of this space that I came into expecting support for the arts that I love.  It has been a struggle and rewards have come sporadically. 

My eyes, perhaps, were bigger than my stomach, as my mother used to say to me.  I wanted it all, and in a short space of time.  I gave myself 5 years to work on getting the arts off the ground here, as there seemed to be wide open opportunities.  The 5 years are up and time waits for no man (or woman).  I have needed to move closer to my family, so the decision was made. 

The group still struggles, but we have made a start.  We struggled with the very concept of volunteerism.  Since we were not being paid, this job had to make its place in all of our hearts.  Everything we did was done from “scratch.”  I often said to our group that we have no precedent for anything that we did, so we made it up as we went along.  I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the short period of time that the arts have been our focus.  From beginnings with “Imagine Benson 20/20,” to the Benson Arts Commission, and now our own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

Changes will be difficult, with the loss of several Board members this year, including myself.  Life gets in the way, but I am optimistic.  Yes, we will have to cut back our activities; we can’t put on wonderful events without people and money.  Focusing on what we CAN do is a better idea, and at the Gathering of Artists and Friends on October 15th, an outline of what’s to come will be put forth.

The June Bug just needs a little nudge.

Sylvia Burnside