Fall News and Events 2024
Enjoy these Three Stories for Fall
A story of artists embracing place
Seven Tree-Planting Ceremonies, September 4-8, highlighted some of the artists and arts organizations central to the narrative of an upcoming documentary film, which will premiere at the Southside Film Festival in June 2025. A team of regional artists–Doug Roysdon, Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre; Dave Fry, Godfrey Daniels Folk Music Club; Bridget George, Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Touchstone Theatre; Bill George, Touchstone Theatre; and film maker Aidan Gilrain McKenna, are creating a 90-minute documentary drawing from over 200 hours of interviews, new and archival video, music, and photos that will distill and celebrate the Bethlehem story of a community transformed by art, of artists transformed by a community.
A Shadblow tree next to Central Moravian Church is dedicated to The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Greg Funfgeld, artistic director and conductor 1983 – 2022. Words offered by Greg (right) and Janel Rice, senior pastor of Central Moravian (left), made this a beautiful and moving ceremony about Moravian culture and the extraordinary transformation of The Bach Choir under Greg’s leadership.
A Red-bud tree at Yosko Park on Bethlehem’s Southside is dedicated to John and Barbara Pearson and Ricardo Viera, all key to the Street Theatre beginnings of People’s Theatre Co. and Touchstone Theatre. The planters are Cora Hook (right) and Anisa Goerge (left)), both early performers in the Street Theatre, Anisa as a child; and City Council member Rachel Leon (center), who remembers seeing the Street Theatre at Yosko park when she was a child.
Dave Fry, founder of Godfrey Daniels Folk Music Club – “positively fourth street” – in 1976 (left), welcomes guests arriving for the dedication of a Dogwood tree in Godfrey’s charming back yard including Cindy Dinsmore, Ramona Murray, Roland Kushner, Doug Roysdon and George and Crystal Wacker. This dedication acknowledges the significant impact of Godfrey Daniels in the artistic renaissance of the arts in Bethlehem over the past 40+ years.
An American Hornbeam at Zoellner Arts Center is dedicated to the artists and staff of Zoellner. The planters are Kashi Johnson (left), chair of Lehigh University’s Theater Department, and Deborah Sacarakis (right), former artistic director of Zoellner. In her welcome, Bridget George praised Deborah’s and Kashi’s accomplishments in advancing important collaboration with Bethlehem’s resident artists.
A Red Maple is planted at the IceHouse Performing Arts Center by Doug and Christy Roysdon (left), founders of Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre. Other planters include (left to right) Grace Adele Hochella, Mock Turtle performer; Madeleine Ramsey, founder of Pennsylvania Youth Theatre; Kate Scuffle, frequent performer at the IceHouse with George Miller; and Jane Persa, former head of the City Recreation Department.
After a ceremony dedicating a beautiful Sourwood tree to Touchstone Theatre, and planted by founders Bill and Bridget George, they spoke to many generations of Touchstone leadership about the bright vision and determination of Touchstone through so many challenges to become what it is today. In the photo, Jennie Gilrain from the early Touchstone Ensemble and Lisa Jordan, it’s current managing director, linger to talk after the very special gathering.
Last but not least, Mayor Willie Reynolds joined five youth from Touchstone’s Young Playwrights Lab and Summer Camp to plant a Royal Star Magnolia at Payrow Plaza. The tree was dedicated to the whole arts community of Bethlehem, with thanks to the City of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Public Library, and Shelly DePaul, chief of education and language for the Lenape Nation PA offered a Lenape song and prayer in blessing. In this group picture, the mayor and youth are joined by the Rooted film’s producers, Doug Roysdon, Bridget George, Dave Fry and Bill George.
Devotional & Interfaith Gatherings
On September 22 at Little Pond, we celebrated the beginning of Fall, the Harvest, and Planters of Trees.
“Sometimes I wish I could photosynthesize so that just by being, just by shimmering at the meadow’s edge or floating lazily on a pond, I could be doing the work of the world while standing silent in the sun…As we work to heal the earth the earth heals us.” — From Braiding Sweet grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
On October 3-4 an Interfaith group offered a Peace Pilgrim ceremony in the Bethlehem Rose Garden at twilight for Touchstone Theatre’s Festival Unbound.
“I have forgotten my envy of others since I found my sacred company. I see no enemy. All of us belong to each other.” — Sri Guru Granth Sahib
On October 20, 1-3pm, our monthly Devotional at Little Pond is on the theme of Humility.
““O soul! If thou makest choice of humility, the people of the world will be thy friends. Humility will augment thy station,
just as the moon gets light from the sun.” –Sadi, Scroll of Wisdom
Mindful Growers Meet-up
| On October 12, Our Mindful Growers Meet-up at Little Pond features an intro to beekeeping with Doug and Kathy Mette and the Highland Honey team. You’ll learn the basics of starting and nurturing your own apiary while having the opportunity to suit up and harvest some of the fall honeycomb. We only have a limited number of suits, so it is important to register at MINDFUL GROWERS MEET-UP REGISTRATION. It goes without saying that you should NOT sign up if you are allergic to bees, or if you are unsure whether or not you are allergic to them. Please wear jeans, long sleeved shirts, and closed toe shoes. We will end with a potluck, so if you are planning to stay for the meal, please bring something to add to the table. |
