Communities Plan King Commemorations
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Because the federal holiday is Monday, the day before the inauguration of Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, some events will combine King's call for service with Obama's inauguration.
Pittsfield marks the day on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Second Congregational Church with guest speaker the Rev. Leonard Comithier and Mayor James M. Ruberto; and with a benefit for local food pantries at First Congregational Church on Sunday Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. with entertainment, silent art auction and acceptance of nonperishable donations.
Williamstown marks the day with an event Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church with a presentation, songs and readings. The Milne Library hosts a presentation on Lincoln and King on Wednesday, Jan 21, at 7.
In North Adams, the Martin Luther King Day Committee invites residents to join them in commemorating the 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Church Street Center on the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts campus.
The committee began honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1994. The "I Have a Dream" breakfast has grown into a truly community-wide event.
The day's festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with coffee and pastries. A brief interfaith service will be followed by speakers. Professor of history at MCLA Francis Jones-Sneed will be the keynote speaker, followed by speeches given by state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley and MCLA President Mary Grant.
"This is an awesome opportunity to celebrate the life of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," said Al Bashevkin, executive director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. "Honoring heroes like King is better than treating the day like any other and simply going to work."
Musical and theatrical performances will provide entertainment throughout the day. The Pax Kids, an international group of high school youth, will recite poems and read original essays. Students from Afghanistan, Southeast Asia and Italy have been guests of the event in the past.
Kristina Clark, the adult winner of the 2008 Berkshire Idol contest, will also perform along with the Step Dance Group of the Northern Berkshire Neighbors Association.
The day will also include the presentation of the Peacemaker Award to Williamstown residents Donna Denelli-Hess and Deborah Foss. They were nominated by MCLA Vice President of Academic Affairs Steven Green for their hard work and dedication while volunteering at the Nyumbani orphanage for HIV positive children in Kenya.
"We try to present the Peacemaker Award to people that truly represent, fit and follow the Martin Luther King ideal," said Kathy Keeser, program director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and member of the MLK Committee.
Denelli-Hess has recently adopted and brought to Williamstown one of the children, a little boy named Benjamin.
"The NB Coalition is proud to support all the hard work that is put forth by the MLK Committee for making this such a special day," Keeser said.
The day will conclude with a free potluck luncheon provided by local businesses and organizers of the event. On the menu this year will be chicken, vegetarian chili, salad, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and much, much more.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration is free and open to the public. The MLK Committee and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition encourage all residents to stop by and celebrate a day of diversity, freedom and praise for King, an American hero.
