LP_062019

lockportlegend.com life & arts
the lockport legend | June 20, 2019 | 17
Lockport local organizes patriotic community concert
Mary Compton
Freelance Reporter
You can call Dr. Reno
Caneva Lockport’s Uncle
Sam.
True to his country,
Caneva is all about patriotic
music. On Saturday,
June 15, Caneva’s dream
to bring the community
together to sing patriotic
songs happened as Canal
Days opened.
“I am from a music family,”
Caneva said. “When I
was young, I learned how
to sing then continued to
learn music. In first grade
I took piano lessons at St.
Dennis, then continued my
music through high school.
When I went to medical
school it just continued.”
The retired podiatrist has
always served Lockport.
The 83-year-old has organized
mini musical concerts
featuring members of
his church Shepherd of the
Hill Lutheran Church and a
few community members.
He organized a 9/11 American
Freedom program in
2016, and then-Gov. Bruce
Rauner attended. Then, in
2014, Reno organized a
flag day concert.
“I’ve composed about 60
pieces of music,” Caneva
said. “I’ve never used all
of the pieces. I even have a
song that I wrote for when
I pass on. When my wife
passed, I used that song at
her funeral.”
He explained he couldn’t
play the song because of
his tears. Three grandsons
played his piece.
“It’s one of those moments
where I can remember
that and go to sleep and
sing the music, which helps
out,” he said.
Caneva also was choir
director at Shepherd of
the Hill Lutheran Church.
When he has his patriotic
programs, rehearsals are
always held at the church.
One of Caneva’s sons,
Dwayne, traveled to Lockport
to witness his father
organize another community
concert. Watching his
father practice the guitar
and direct the members, put
a smile on his face.
“The family has been
involved in music a few
generations,” Dwayne said.
“We are also a very patriotic
family. We have a lot to be
thankful for, we love America.
My dad likes to express
that in music and getting the
community together.”
While community
members were practicing,
Dwayne’s sister Renee,
was setting up a speaker
and chairs at Lockport Central
Square. As Boy Scout
Troop 50 from Lockport
brought the American flag,
the choir began singing.
Mayor Steven Streit
thanked Caneva and spoke
to the crowd that gathered
in the town square about
how symbols bring emotion.
“Our flag is a powerful
symbol,” Streit said, adding,
“as a graphic designer
I can appreciate the colors,
the purity of the white, the
symbolism of the stars.
It’s also what that symbol
means.”
Streit spoke to the crowd
about the flag symbolizing
a nation to be proud of.
“It’s about a nation that
for over 250 years has
been a place that collects
all the folks of this world.
It’s a very unique and special
nation that has absolutely
changed the course
of human history,” he said,
thanking everyone for
coming out to the concert.
Before the mayor left
the stage of the gazebo, he
turned to thank the man
who has a love for singing
and a love for his home,
Lockport.
“I want to especially
thank Reno for organizing
this,” Streit said. “Whatever
Reno puts together,
whether it’s writing a book
or organizing this coalition
of singers is always a success.
I want to thank Reno
for what he does here. If
there is a few candidates
that vibe for the name of
Mr. Lockport, Reno certainly
is in the running.”
Dressed in red, white
and blue, the singers belted
out patriotic songs such as
“Yankee Doodle Dandy”
and “God Bless America,”
as well as every service
song.
Marge Otis, of Lockport,
was part of the choir and
was proud to stand in the
gazebo and sing the patriotic
songs.
“I’ve done this three
times with Reno,” she explained.
“It’s important to
teach our kids of the love of
our country and the songs.
I would have loved to see
300 people here.
“This is something we
should do every year. This
is our country, we should
be proud if you don’t love
your country, what do you
have?”
As everyone was filing
out of Lockport’s Central
Square, Caneva’s smile
couldn’t be missed.
“This went very well,”
he said. “I’m so proud of
the people that came and
sang from their hearts.
“I also want to send good
thoughts to Jim Stephenson.
He had a stroke yesterday
and wasn’t able to play
the organ. He’s been so
dedicated to taking part in
these. I hope we can keep
this going.”
Mayor Steven Streit (left) thanked Dr. Reno Caneva from Lockport for organizing the
Flag Day community concert held at Lockport Square. The patriotic concert opened
Canal Day festivities on Saturday, June 15.
Mary Compton/22nd Century Media
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