Westminster, New Wilmington Rotary host Peace in Our Community Day

It will be a beautiful day in the New Wilmington neighborhood on Saturday, May 4, when actor David Newell—best known as Speedy Deliveryman Mr. McFeely from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood—stops by as part of Westminster College’s and the New Wilmington Rotary Club’s Peace in Our Community Day.

Newell’s visit is just one of the several peace-oriented events and activities planned to take place throughout the day in the New Wilmington Borough Park and on the Westminster College campus.

Todd Cole, president of the New Wilmington Rotary Club and a faculty member in Westminster College’s School of Education, helped organize the day.

“New Wilmington Rotary has a thirst for serving our community. This event checks all the boxes during a time when peace is needed in our homes, schools, community, country and world. This is an event to bring the community together and celebrate being peaceful people,” said Cole, a 1983 graduate of Westminster College.

The following events will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the New Wilmington Borough Park:
•    Meet and greet with actor David Newell, Mr. McFeely of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
•    Meet and greet with local children’s authors Christine Telesz Sidell, Diane Heaney Bell ’95, Deb Sanchez ’08 and Dr. Jenna Copper, assistant professor of education at Westminster.
•    Caillou parade balloon
•    Reading stations with Westminster College students
•    Twelve stations of arts and crafts sponsored by Westminster’s “Beyond the Quad” art series
•    T-shirt and kite decorating
•    New Wilmington Fire Department truck
•    Children’s book and peace necklace giveaways (while supplies last)
•    Peace presentation at the amphitheater at 11:30 a.m.

The following events are held from 12:30-5 p.m. on Westminster’s campus.

Westminster College Peace Pole, near Patterson Hall:
•    Kite flying and decorating from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Mueller Theater in McKelvey Campus Center:
•    Reader’s Theater 25-minute performance on peace from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. Presented by Westminster College Speech and Debate Society.
•    Peace in Our Schools and Community from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Presented by Westminster’s School of Education
•    New Wilmington Rotary Club’s High School Oratory Competition “We Speak for Peace” from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Led by Dr. Randy Richardson, faculty member in Westminster’s School of Communication and adviser to the Speech and Debate Society.

Visitors will be able to purchase food from the Haitian Sensation food truck, which will be available on Westminster’s campus, as well as Peace Day cookies. Visitors will also be able to bid on several raffle baskets.

Peace in Our Community Day events are free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

For more information, please contact Cole at colets@westminster.edu.

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