PEACE DAY was joyously celebrated in Riverton on a perfect sunny afternoon September 21 in the Park. It was part of a worldwide series of event happening in towns all over the world honoring the International Day of Peace. A crowd of 80+ people showed up by the Peace Pole to hear an assortment of town folks "speak their peace." Anne and Dennis Creter orchestrated the event. The Riverton Peace Pole Committee was recognized (Linda Hayes, Rusty Conroy, Carol Crawford, Michael Robinson, Karen Nulton, Jill Croft, Terry Pierce, Kathryn Yansick, Tom Ehrhardt, Chris Auth, Jeannie Francis, Suzi and Bob Foster).
Councilmen Robert E. Smyth cut ribbon officially dedicating the Peace Pole to the Borough. He spoke movingly of his desire for peace as a Viet Nam Veteran. He gave out poppies to acknowledge those Veterans present, in memory of past VFW local leader Bob Fenton. Former Councilman Robert K. Smyth, who initially advanced Peace Pole project when he was on Council, also spoke.
Then there was the dramatic unveiling of two cement peace benches (with granite tops bordered with inscriptions of peace in various languages) crafted by Dennis Creter from the inspiration of local sculptor Courtney Ellrich who lives adjacent to the Peace Pole. The entire local interfaith community was invited and one of its original Peace Pole supporters, Rev. Wrede of Christ Episcopal Church gave a blessing.
The highlight was the presence of the children because this is the United Nations proclaimed "International Decade for the Culture of Peace for the Children of the World." Mary Ellen Eck, Superintendent of Riverton School brought up a group of students holding letters that spelled PEACE, saying an attribute of peace each represented. And budding 3rd grade peacemaker, Julianna Blatz, gave a solo peace presentation from a kids perspective.
The International Peace Day Proclamation from our Congressman Rob Andrews was dramatically read by town Librarian Michael Robinson, who also presented the first Peace Pole Committee Peace Prize (fashioned after the Nobel Peace Prize) to town Solicitor Bruce Gunn for his many years of peaceful service to the town.
Then there was an "open mic" for whomever else wanted to "speak their peace" ... and this group was not shy! To conclude, two Native American's, Kim Hunter and Reverand Edwin Mosley, from the local Powatan Renape Nation Community, descendents of the original inhabitants of our land graced the group with their presence. They smudged the Peace Pole area and gave a captivating account of their local history, ending by leading the crowd in a traditional Native American Friendship Circle dance around the Peace Pole. Folks left feeling uplifted by the sweet sense of community that was created, both locally and globally -- which was so nice since that is the very intention of the Peace Pole!
