The Risse soccer team came to the Bedlam Farm Spring Open House today and they sang Michael Jackson’s “We Are The World” to the accompaniment of local musicians Gordon and Jeff McQuerry, two gifted brothers. Coming from them, the song had special meeting.

It was the team’s first public musical performance, and they got off to a slightly slow start, but Ali got them going quickly enough by yelling “sing!” The song was a smash, and the team was awarded a digital piano from Yamaha, they are thinking of organizing a band. I hope they do, I will support it in any way I can.

This was a special Open House, a very powerful one and these kids were a huge part of that. They are no threat or danger to us, they are warm, hard-working honest people struggling to make their way in a confused and conflicted America.

After their appearance, I led a caravan to the new Round House Cafe, and the team had sandwiches (meat or veggie), drinks and the choice of several different kinds of soup. Several have been challenging me to a thumb wrestling match, thumb wrestling is my only sport, I usually win. I won a few rounds today.

I took this short video of them singing, as promised. Come and see. It had me in tears, they picked a wondrously apt song to sing in our country right now. This was perhaps the best moment of all of our Open Houses, today’s was truly a festival of love as well as art.