DIVERSITY DAY FESTIVAL SET FOR THIS SUNDAY IN WOODSTOCK

Diversity Day 2009: We’re In This Together! will be held this Sunday, September 27 from 1 to 4 PM on the Square in Woodstock.

For the 13th annual festival will take note of “The tough economic times that have taken a devastating toll on our community and nation while the world remains in turmoil,” festival Executive Director Patrick Murfin explained. “Sometimes fear and anxiety cause groups to turn on each other and bigots seek to exploit those fears. But in times like these we need each other more than ever. Our festival is meant to rally the whole community regardless of race, religion, national origin, language, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability in mutual respect and celebration.”

The festival program will feature live entertainment and inspiring messages from individuals and organizations working together in the face of adversity.

Musical and performance acts include The Frothy Boys, a ebullient men’s doo-wop a cappella ensemble; legendary McHenry County story teller Jim May; blind singer/guitarist Pierre Berube; pianist Matt Chopin; the Bolivian folk dancing of Corazon Boliviano Grupo de Danza Folkloria directed by Julieta L. Bolivar; and folk music by Keith Johnson and Judy Matzen.

Murfin will be joined by his long time festival co-host Gloria Urch in introducing featured speakers. Joe Blanco, coordinator of the Woodstock PADS site will talk about homelessness. Suzanne Hoban of the Family Health Partnership Clinic will speak on healthcare and Julie Biel-Claussen of the McHenry County Housing Authority will discuss the challenges of finding affordable housing.

An annual highlight of Diversity Day is the Peace and Justice Award presented to an individual or individuals who have advanced the causes of justice, equity and compassion in our community and the world. This year the recipient is Thomas Dincecco who has dedicated his retirement years to service to those in need. Among other activities, Dincecco is the coordinator of the Direct Assistance Program (DAP) of the Woodstock Community Ministry which provides emergency grants to those who fall between the cracks of the safety net. The award will be presented by last year’s recipient, Sue Rose of the Housing Authority.

Carlos Acosta of the McHenry County Latino Coalition will present this year’s recipients of the organization’s Scholarship Awards, sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

The festival also includes table displays with information from non-profit organizations, social service providers, government agencies, issue advocacy organizations, religious groups, political parties, and businesses.

Diversity Day 2009: We’re In This Together! Is organized by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock. Admission is free and open to the public.
For information contact Murfin at 815 814-5645, e-mail divday@sbcglobal.net.

Apple Falls Close to Tree--Maureen Buchanan Joins Diversity Day Staff

Diversity Day 2009 is proud to welcome an Assistant Executive Director—Maureen Buchanan. Executive Director Patrick Murfin is the first to acknowledge that the appointment could be considered nepotism—if there was any money involved. Maureen is Patrick’s daughter.

Mrs. Buchanan recently lost her job as a retail store manager when the shop was closed by the parent company. So she knows all about the current tough times—and about the need to stick together through them.

Maureen grew up in McHenry County and was in the first graduating class of Prairie Ridge High School. She attended Northern Illinois University where she was a featured columnist in the Northern Star. She transferred to Columbia College in Chicago where she majored in magazine writing and interned at Chicago Magazine.

In addition to working in retail, Maureen has been a customer service representative and an optical shop technician.

While she looks for work, she is happy to help out the old man and perform useful community service. She will also be working on a book manuscript and some “self-improvement” projects.

Maureen is highly energetic, creative, and a natural leader—OK, some folks call it bossy. She will be involved in every aspect of planning and producing the festival. She is already bringing fresh eyes and ideas to the project.

Welcome aboard, Maureen.

Planning is under way for Diversity Day 2009. The 13th installment of the annual festival will be held on Sunday, September 27 from 1 to 4 PM on the Square in Woodstock.

The theme this year is We’re in This Together. “Tough economic times have taken a devastating toll on our community and nation while the world remains in turmoil,” festival Executive Director Patrick Murfin explained. “Sometimes fear and anxiety cause groups to turn on each other and bigots seek to exploit those fears. But in times like these we need each other more than ever. Our festival is meant to rally the whole community regardless of race, religion, national origin, language, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability in mutual respect and celebration.”

The festival is seeking multi-cultural entertainment for the program including musicians, dancers, and folk artists. “We are also looking for children’s programming and activities both on the stage and around the Square,” Murfin said.

Speakers will be invited from organizations to highlight their efforts at serving and improving the community cooperatively. Non-profit organizations, social service agencies, government agencies, issue advocacy organizations, religious groups, political parties and others in sympathy with the aims and purposes of the festival may also set up information tables on the Square free of charge.

Nominations for the Peace and Justice Award, presented annually at the festival, will be welcomed through the month of June. The Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have advanced the causes of justice, equity and compassion in our community and the world. “We are especially proud of this award which is meant to not only honor deserving individuals, but highlight their work,"Murfin said.

Sponsorship opportunities for the festival are also available, as are sustaining advertisements in the annual program book.

Diversity Day 2009: We’re in This Together! is organized by the Congregational Unitarian Church.

For more information about and opportunities to volunteer, support or participate in it, contact Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail divday@sbcglobal.net , write Diversity Day c/o Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean Street, Woodstock 60039.