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Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Music on the Mountain marks 20th anniversary of 9/11

The sound of “Taps” echoed across South Lookout at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton on Saturday morning, marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

“The Sanctuary has always been a special place for people to reflect and find peace in nature, so this seemed an ideal location and appropriate way to honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at Hawk Mountain,” said Mary Linkevich, director of development, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

“On 9/11, many lost their lives in those attacks. Taps is a way to call everyone to think quietly about what happened.” — bugler Curtis McQueen of Kempton

The solemn song filled the silence across the Sanctuary as Hawk Mountain member and bugler Curtis McQueen of Kempton played “Taps” at select times when planes crashed on 9/11: at 8:46 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, at 9:03 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower and at 9:37 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.

“The setting is very beautiful and we’re facing New York on a clear day, very much like it was on that day,” said McQueen. “It’s a nice place to be to remember what happened that day.”

Taps for Veterans (www.tapsforveterans.org), an organization that honors veterans with live “Taps,” encouraged buglers across the nation to sound “Taps” marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and submit a video for others to watch online. McQueen will submit his video and has posted videos on his Facebook page.

“Taps is a very solemn reminder of those who have lost their lives, given their lives, dedicated their lives to our country in so many ways,” said McQueen. “Of course, on 9/11, many lost their lives in those attacks. Taps is a way to call everyone to think quietly about what happened.”

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Hawk Mountain members Bob and Barb Still of Lake Wynonah came out to hear “Taps” on the Mountain and to enjoy the setting to commemorate 9/11.

“I felt very emotional,” said Barb. “The trees remind me of all of the people that died.”

“It was just one of those moments when the world just stopped. In my life there have been three of those moments, the JFK assassination, the moon landing and 9/11,” said Bob. “Everything went silent. It’s profound.”

In addition, the Sanctuary hosted Music on the Mountain, a one-hour outdoor concert by the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble, as well as live raptor talks and the Fall Native Plant Sale.

Sanctuary President Sean Grace said the principle part of his job is connecting community to conservation, and that is the Sanctuary’s mission. Hosting an outdoor concert is a great way to reach people and build a sense of community around the work of Hawk Mountain, he said.

“It’s a great way to get them out to experience a beautiful outdoor venue, connect them with nature, connect them with beautiful music and then hopefully I’m going to try to impassion a few people to become members,” said Grace. “Whether its people who enjoy music on the mountain, the native plant sale or viewing raptors, for me it’s all connected to building a sense of community around a great organization.”

The Gabriel Chamber Ensemble, based in Schuylkill County, shared the healing powers of music and nature (gabrielensemble.org). Featuring themes of love and patriotism in remembrance of 9/11, the ensemble’s string quartet performance included the National Anthem, “America the Beautiful,” “Amazing Grace,” and String Quartet Op. 96 “American,” followed by a meet-and-greet with the performers and a live raptor.

“It’s a great way to get them out to experience a beautiful outdoor venue, connect them with nature, connect them with beautiful music.” — Sanctuary President Sean Grace

The concert was held in the new outdoor amphitheater, which features animal wood carvings, provides lighting and electric and has plenty of space to socially distance while enjoying a performance.

“The acoustics are phenomenal. It’s the perfect spot for a chamber ensemble,” said Linkevich.

In remembrance of the 20th anniversary ...
In remembrance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary hosted the one-hour concert Music on the Mountain by Sanctuary hosted Music on the Mountain, a one-hour outdoor concert by the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble on Sept. 11. (Photo by Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)

Previously, the Sanctuary did not have a proper stage or any type of overhead cover, making it a challenge to host any type of music event. The amphitheater roof not only covers the stage, but also protects several rows of bench seating.

“Hawk Mountain always looks to connect new people to the Sanctuary, its raptor conservation mission, and to the annual migration. Hawk Mountain is not a state or federal park, so revenue from programs, events, trail admission, and membership dues make a significant difference,” said Linkevich.

“The more people we introduce to Hawk Mountain, the more people learn about raptors and migration. I feel strongly that people only need to visit Hawk Mountain once to fall in love with it,” she added.

Linkevich also noted that September is a great time to get outside while the weather is cooling down and birds are beginning to migrate south.

“We like to build on that excitement with events like the annual Fall Native Plant Sale, fall lecture series, free weekend programs, and special events like Music on the Mountain. It’s a great way to attract new supporters and nature enthusiasts,” she said.

The Fall Native Plant Sale offered a variety of fall-flowering Pennsylvania native wildflowers, vines, grasses, ferns, trees, and shrubs to incorporate into any home landscape. Hawk Mountain volunteers, who organize the sale, help people pick the perfect plants for their landscape.

Hawk Mountain volunteer Rudy Keller, of the Boyertown area, said most of the flowers, ferns and plants are grown by volunteers in their own gardens and then they donate them for the sale. Proceeds are donated to the Sanctuary.

“We have a huge selection. We have almost 100 species of plants this year,” said Keller. “We have a bigger selection than you’re going to find retail.”

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary volunteer Rudy Keller ...
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary volunteer Rudy Keller of Boyertown area, far right, helps gardeners find the perfect native plants during Fall Native Plant Sale on Sept. 11. (Photo by Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)

Keller also likes the educational component.

“By getting these plants into people’s gardens, you’re assisting native pollinators, native insects and really the base of the food web for all other animals,” he said. “Having native plants basically means you are helping to maintain the biodiversity of this area. We’re showing people that these native plants that they might drive by in a meadow and not give a second thought are worth having in your garden.”

To learn more about Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, visit www.hawkmountain.org.


Source: Berkshire mont

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