Thursday, March 30, 2000
Culture celebration is a real mixer
BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Songs, ethnic foods and educational literature combined for a successful first-ever “Multicultural Celebration” Wednesday evening, organizers say.
More than 200 people attended the free two-hour celebration in the Wilks Conference Center at Miami University's Hamilton branch. They sampled foods from ethnic cultures, including Asian, African-American and Appalachian.
Viola J. Benson of Hamilton danced as she listened to Mark Andrews of Fairfield sing a song about the ghetto.
“I'm having a great time,” said Ms. Benson, who attended the cele bration with two friends. “This is a different culture. All the people — we've come together to celebrate.”
Vaughn Lewis, director of Hamilton's Human Relations Department, one of the primary sponsors, said the celebration was a “tremendous success.”
“I think it was really eye-opening for people. I think that's the beginning for getting over racism — learning to understand the differences about peoples' cultures and ethnicities, and learning to appreciate them,” he said.
Diego Jordan operated a slide show of a trip he and his wife, Linda, made to South America in 1991. It incorporated scenes of everyday life, including people on buses.
Mr. Jordan, a senior planner with Hamilton and a native of Ecuador, said he wanted people to learn about a culture different from their own. Also attending the celebration were the couple's three children, Elena, 4; Samuel, 2; and Carlos, 3 months.
Attendees perused literature of more than a dozen community and Miami University student groups.
Mr. Lewis said organizers will consider having the event on a larger scale next year.
Entertainment was also provided by the Butler County Council for Native Americans, the Indian Students Association at Miami and the Pan-American Society.
Other participants included Beth Israel Synagogue, Hamilton-Fairfield NAACP and Miami U. Korean Club.
Gunman sought in fatal I-75 shooting
Sleepy? Put blame where it belongs
Officer apologizes for insult
Tax complaint may lead to change
Tax plan benefits non-public schools
Child rape case 'heartbreaking'
Death of 2-year-old described
Ruling may affect local nude dancing
Census seeks homeless amid bushes, trash bins
Drive-by killer no show in court
Watchdog keeps county on its toes
Margaret Thatcher to visit city Friday
Message to trucks removed
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Report: Ohio's charter schools get poor grades
Some doubt usefulness of lowered alcohol limit
Baseball treasures catch top dollar
Ailey show is paradise for purists
GET TO IT
Group works to bring outdoor drama to area
Ohio natives know enough to make movie in Maui
TRISTATE DIGEST
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Carlisle School Board member departing, but not going far
Colerain gets spring cleanup
Council: Keep recruit class
Culture celebration is a real mixer
Drug strike force chief quits
Former deejay's death suspicious
Hamilton schools buy building for offices, training center
Ky. House passes firearms bill
Lebanon council must fill empty seat
Legislators stalemate over budget
Morrow man guilty of setting bar fire
N. Ky. studying east-west route
President of mental retardation board quits
Wyoming development on hold
