HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-15-LEX300-WKG GRP-min-draft DRAFT MINUTES 300th Anniversary Committee/Events Workgroup Meeting
June 15, 2011 - 8 30 AM
Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Hall, Lexington
The minutes were taken by Jessie Steigerwald.
Present Sue Rockwell, Chair of the 300th Anniversary Committee, Jane Hundley, Geetha
Padaki, Tanya Morrisett, Beverly Kelley, Bebe Fallick, Denise Dube, Carin Casey, Carolyn
Goldstein, Janet Kern.
Call To Order
Sue Rockwell, Chair of the 300th Committee, called the meeting to order at 8 32 a.m.
1 Introductions
Sue Rockwell provided a brief summary of how the 300th Anniversary Committee came
into existence and described the overall structure of the group Jessie Steigerwald
provided an explanation of the different working groups Each person present introduced
herself and shared her reason for attending.
2 Schedule Updates
A. Tanya Morrisett shared an update on the proposal to run a pre-event Fashion Show
which could be a fundraiser, community building event and an interactive way to
raise community awareness The Historical Society is going to collaborate Jane
Hundley suggested connecting with the Minuteman Tech community
B Jane Hundley provided an update on work taking pace in the Lexington schools
C Beverley Kelley reported that she will take responsibility for planning a parade float
to honor the 300th during the Patriot's Day Parade in 2013
D Geetha Padaki reported that she has been in touch with the Indian Association of
Lexington and that she will be working with Janice Ye to coordinate the Community
Dance event Sue Rockwell shared information sent by Lexington's Greek
community
E Carolyn Goldstein shared the update that the LexFarm community group would be
joining in planning efforts to support the 300th
3 Event Themes
Jessie Steigerwald provided an overview of overarching themes the 300th Committee had
developed when laying out the framework for the Celebration Year, and which were
reviewed at the prior evening's meeting. From the Opening Ceremony to the Closing
Ceremony, the 300th Committee would like there to be clear themes that each participant
can take away from the experience For example, the concept that farming, or
agriculture, has always been important in Lexington. Attendees discussed possible
themes and agreed to take up this subject at the next meeting. It was agreed that broad
themes would be best, to permit many people & groups to connect to these themes
4 New Ideas
A. Tanya Morrisett reported that Frad Ludwig, one of Lexington's foremost
science/environmental educators, will join in our efforts
B Bebe Fallick provided an update on several groups who would like to support the
300th including the Tourism Committee which is meeting soon to review their recent
Revolutionary Revelry events
C Bebe Fallick also reported that the Liberty Ride would be able to collaborate to offer
special rides for the 300th One possibility to explore would be a revival of an
Architectural Houses tour that was successful in the past
D Geetha Padaki raised the possibility of opening up different cultural celebrations
during the 300th year For example, a town-wide celebration of Chinese New Year, or
a town-wide invitation to learn about and participate in Dewali
E Carolyn Goldstein described the concept of"doors open" which has been used in
other communities during special events This requires coordinating with stewards of
places that aren't ordinarily open to all residents For example, special homes, or
perhaps religious or cultural institutions Attendees were inspired by this idea and
agreed to continue researching it
F Sue Rockwell reported that the Greek Orthodox Church has been in touch. It was
agreed that multi-cultural dances or foods could be incorporated into the events
G Attendees began connecting the new ideas to possible over-arching themes Some
ideas were "Lexington is Multi-Cultural" "Lexington is part of the larger world" and
"Lexington is Industrious from Mechanics to Technology"
5 Next Steps
Participants agreed to continue brainstorming and researching the types of events that were
discussed. People will reach out to friends in different groups and invite people to help with the
planning. It was agreed that Jessie Steigerwald would write up the minutes and that the group
would meet again on July 13th at 8 30 a.m., pending our ability to secure an available meeting
space