photograph by Justin Engle
John and Merline, married by Rev. Don Steele February 4th, 2003 at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, Scarsdale, New York.
We invite you to our "Pot-luck Picnic Marriage Celebration"
When: Saturday, August 30, 2003 from 1:00 p.m. 'til its over.'
Where: Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania (8 miles from Heshey) across from JiggershopIcecreamParlor
Dear friends,
We're not surprised if this "Pot-luck Picnic Marriage Celebration" thing has you kind of scratching your head. It does Merline. Perhaps you already read the text below which was in my February e-update:
"We have been breaking nearly every tradition in the book in how we have gone about getting married and celebrating it. It makes me think of the words an organic farmer participating in our nonviolence training said to me, “My family and I have always been considered misfits, so we can do what we want and no one is surprised. There is a freedom in being a misfit.”
I suspect that folks are not too surprised about me breaking tradition. And this feels freeing :). In continued tradition breaking audacity, how’s this sound? A “Big Pot-Luck Picnic Marriage Celebration” for everyone who wants to join us for a load of fun. Sure hope you’ll join us."
So, is it all clear to you now? If not, you're in the same boat as us and others involved in organizing it, especially my mom and sister, who agreed to coordinate it, God bless their souls. What's clear is that there is going to be friends from far and near coming together in beautiful Gretna for a day of fun.
You're asking if you can bring something? We would be delighted if you do. Bring what you want be it your favorite dish, a salad, a bag of chips, a 6 pack (beer, soda, juice) a bottle of wine... Whatever you bring will be the right thing :)
For those of you traveling from far away and who are hoping to find a place to "crash" contact me at mailto:john@theexperiment.info and we'll see what we can do. Any "locals" who are open to receiving a guest(s) for a night, please let me know.
For those who are not familiar with the Mount Gretna and Hershey area, here are some links which you might find helpful.
http://www.jiggershop.com/history.htm
http://www.mtgretna.com/theatre/
If you wish to arrive by train, come to Elizabethtown Station (8 miles away). click here to make reservations: http://amtrak.com/ or call: 1-800-USA-RAIL
If you're a musician, we invite you to bring your instrument and make music for us:). There is a piano on site along with microphone and speakers.
Hope to see you on the 30th!
Warmest regards,
John and Merline
P.S. We would be grateful to receive an email message from you letting us know if you plan to join us on the 30th.
mailto:john@theexperiment.info
link to pictures of our life in Haiti: http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/englejohnny/lst?.dir=/our+life+in+haiti&.view=t