Oneida County History Center’s Living Legend Award
Honoree “Doc” Woods onstage presentation featured just a mite of verbal
‘preaching’ about the nature and importance of truth. “Doc” ‘s bass guitar then
delivered it musically.
By Chris Woods
An exciting, inclusive, and honor bearing spirit pervaded the atmosphere at the Irish Cultural Center in Utica, NY on the evening of Thursday October 10th.
All in attendance were dressed to impress. The ceremony, held from 5:00-8:00, was a beautiful hybrid of cocktail, dinner, movie, live music, and common unity. The event gave honor to the giant shoulders we here in the Mohawk Valley stand upon as a diverse but united people through service.
Five Living Legends were honored and awarded during the ceremony and they all had powerful and personal insights to share concerning their successful lives in service.
All the Living Legends had many things in common, even in their diverse uniqueness of service through and to Oneida County.
This year’s honorees were Michael Bosak, an historic landmarks preservationist; political activist Lucretia Hunt, cardiologist and autism awareness hero, Michael Lieberman, Town of Paris historian Bonny Tyler Nile, and Hamilton College Jazz Educator and bassist “Doctuh” Michael Woods.
A sense that permeated the evening was the feeling of great humility that the living legends shared with one another.
The first honoree to speak from the soul of service was Michael Bosak who mentioned that in Historic Preservation, the “Living” is better than the “Legend” was.
Lucretia Hunt then captivated the crowd with ‘pure joy’ as she shined her years of community service, honoring the example her parents set in early childhood as her Living Legends.
Next up was Dr. Michael Kelberman, who spoke of the mid-90’s development of the Kelberman Autism Center alongside his successful cardiology practice.
Town of Paris Historian Bonnie Miles told this reporter, in a publicly candid moment after the ceremony, “I don’t even really feel like a Living Legend.” This is the feeling of humility that rests upon this distinguished and honorable soul.
Lastly, “Doctuh” Michael Woods transformed from Jazz Educator to live sonic revelator and lifted the spirits of all in attendance. Woods first spoke on the quantum realm of All Truth and Pure Communication. He then played an example through the electric bass, bopping his brains out onto the floor for all to witness and enjoy.
All in all it was a wonderful evening at the Irish Cultural Center!
