Community Cultural Celebration
Gathering meeting minutes
Mar 11, 2006

Meeting opened at 10:10 am, Karen Hawkins (recording secretary)
Attendees: Sally Chappell, Alan Crabtree, Joan Emerson, Karen Hawkins, Joanne Morse, Bev Larimore, Judy Randall, Virginia Staples (Jinx), Nancylou Stiles, Woody Woodward

Introductions were made – (see also previous info in Feb 2006 minutes)
Judy Randall – moved here from New York City, interested in different cultures, taking Spanish in college, attends Bridgton UMC
Nancylou – community NEEDS to understand other cultures, we are all siblings (worldwide)
Joanne – Peace Corp member, wants to no longer be frightened and angry after Sept 11 incident in NY
Woody – lived in diverse neighborhood in Portland, traded learning magic tricks with Cambodian language, meets people from all over the world at his resort, Juliet (employee) is willing to present info on her native country in Russia, offered to do a press release, will contact Alan Crabtree
Sally – climate changes effect cultures across the world, very interested in the Marshall Islands, associated with Maine Council of Churches – G’wichens, we are our brothers and sisters keepers  - we need to foster equal distribution of resources or at least enough for people’s basic needs 
Joan – is a “PK” (pastor’s kid), many experiences with missionaries
Bev – military wife, saw many cultures and was interested in all of them, knew once she visited she would probably not get back again, saw glaciers receding in Alaska, lived in the south in the 60’s – saw lots of prejudice, interested in what other people do
Karen – fear of the unknown (cultures) can incite hatred, knowledge/education can dispell hatred
Jinx – interested in Russian culture, her son married a woman from Russia (Moscow), also interested in Amish culture (they live their faith), traveled to Japan and China years ago
Alan – has been all over the world, he is a freelance writer and photographer for the Bridgton News Paper, is on the S.A.D. 61 School Board and Chairman of Sebago Selectmen

Discussions

* need specific information about the celebration to give to prospective participants
            4 – 8 pm but that is not set in stone, ask group what they feel drawn to share with others about their unique culture, what is important for other people to understand about them), suggestions of sharing food, dance,/performances, demonstrations, history (they may bring items specific to their culture to sell)
            We can provide – good location, space, meals, mid-week lodging, PR/advertising

* Friday Sept 22 will be “American (U.S.) day with a chicken pot pie supper, it was suggested to ask music groups such as the Troubadours to play, also contact the owner of the “Big Kahunah” for music contacts, jazz, blues, hip hop, etc,

 * suggestion to invite cultures in our area to start with and expand in subsequent years – Finnish, Asian, Russian, Black Culture (Debra Levans offered to address Black Culture)

* get schools and Community Center involved

* a Peace Corp Day

* American sub-cultures – African/African Americans  - very different cultures

* info to media – involve more people in process as well as announce this upcoming event, contact LRTV to see if they would be interested in taping the event

* make buttons like “Winter Carnival”, create a logo

* Karen gave Nancylou a copy of a grant application from the New England Conference

Commitment to make contacts (feedback to Nancylou by March 26):
Sally – climate changes (maps, videos), research Seeds of Peace, Marshall Islands, G’wichins
Joanna – German group (contact school giving German classes), China, Greek
Joan – missionaries from Equador (see if they would be available)
Bev – Shakers, Quakers
Judy – folk dancing
Nancylou – Hispanic population, check with Henry (Afghanistan)
Karen – Mexican workers at apple orchard, Amish, Native Americans, Homeless spokes group, grant money
Woody - “Seeds of Peace”, Thai in Bridgton, Maine Irish Children’s Program, Juliet (Russian homeland) will organize a presentation
Jinx – Ingrid about German culture

Meeting closed at: 12:00 pm
Next meeting – April 22 from 10:00 am - noon