To the editor:
On 16 August 2026, Caitlin Kraus and many others performed in a benefit concert for The Athens County Suicide Prevention Coalition at Athens First United Methodist Church in Athens, Ohio. Caitlin sang “One Voice” with Mary Rizzardi and Alexandra Bruno, and she sang three solo songs — “What Rises,” “Keep the Light On,” and “Garden.”
Caitlin likes to tell dad jokes although she is not a dad: She is a faux pa. She did not tell any dad jokes at the benefit, but in addition to her other singing, she did sing in the choir.
Also singing in the choir (including a brief solo) was Allison Blumenthal, who is a jammer (scorer) for the Athens Ohio Roller Derby (AORD). The team is called the Appalachian Hell Betties, and Allison’s derby name is Wild Ivy. The team is known for good sportspersonship. No player ever argues with the refs, who are all volunteers, like everyone else in this derby community.
Benefit audience members included Bruce and Gay Dalzell and Corbin Marsh (you know the music is good when musicians are in the audience) and many others.
Among the others was David Bruce, whose main philosophy thesis advisor in 1984-1985 at Ohio University was Dr. Robert Wieman. At a volleyball game between philosophy professors and philosophy students, David managed to score a point against Dr. Wieman. David noticed that Dr. Wieman didn’t look happy about it, so as soon as David could, he let Dr. Wieman score a point against him. This cheered Dr. Wieman up. David could have blocked the ball, but Mama Bruce did not raise her little boy Davy up to be no fool.
Being no fools, David and many others donated to a worthy cause.
If you would like to add 10 points to your IQ (just asking, no promise implied), please go here and do some reading. (Hey — the IQ thing might work!)
Spoiler alert: You can donate to the organization online.
If you visit the site, you will make Wendy Blackwood, Alex Bruno, Debra Rentz, Nick Tepe, Mary Rizzardi, Alexandra Bruno, Caitlin Kraus, Wild Ivy Allison Blumenthal, and a lot of other benefit performers happy.
You will also make Mama Bruce’s little boy Davy happy.
David Bruce
Athens Ohio