Music feeds the soul and our towns and counties have stepped up to fill the need. Throughout the summer, folks can find a free concert to enjoy. What a contribution to the good of the community! Offering a venue such as War Memorial Park for the Toni Saylor Concert Series each Thursday in Berkeley County or correspondingly at Sam Michaels Park in Jefferson County for the Thursday evening Levitt Concert Series provide not only a beautiful location but a variety of musical genres represented as well. And let’s not forget to mention the Live Music Fridays at the Town Square in downtown Martinsburg or Bolivar’s Music in the Park on a variety of Friday evenings throughout the summer. There are likely other options available in the area as well and we encourage folks to check out local websites and calendar postings to find the opportunities nearest to you.

Our communities are certainly blessed to be the recipients of these concerts, especially at no cost for admission. We commend the organizations who present these events and their efforts to secure grant funding or see the importance of using budgetary dollars to offer this entertainment to the residents of the Panhandle. Too often our dollars are captured for other things—many required and needed but not as enjoyable. To give back to the community in such a tangible way shows that our local leaders see a benefit in the arts.

We know that numerous benefits come through the arts for the individual including such things as stress reduction and creativity development. Benefits also come on a broader level such as through strengthening community relations and providing an economic driver as many who attend these no-cost events will then spend their dollars in the local environment for dinners, drinks or at shopping venues. This provides a win-win for all sides as that economic driver generates income that can then be used to match grant funds or fund outright future events of the same nature.

We encourage everyone to head out this summer and take advantage of these offerings—enjoy the music, enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the community.