1998 Photo Page

(Click on thumbnails to see full picture)

July 4th, 1998 at Traprock Peace Center

  Connie and Frank Houde spoke about their Veterans for Peace human rights observations in Chiapas.  They may visit again when Brian Willson speaks at Goodrich Hall, Williams College, Williamstown, MA (Route 2) on Wednesday, November 11, 1998.  

Traprock folk visited Bread and Puppet in Glover, Vermont - August, 1998

The evening "Pageant" was really something.  (Wish we had pics from the incredible afternoon circus and the political theater side-shows.)   About 30,000 came for the weekend events.  Charlie, Sunny, Joanne and Ana joined others from all over for inspiration and fun. 

The Puffin Foundation gave Steve Earp a grant to make 250 bowls honoring the legacy of Gandhi's thinking.  Each bowl is inscribed with a quote from Gandhi or an inspired neighbor.  He has donated the bowls to Traprock for sale at its events.

  Steve's a popular attraction at the Greenfield Multicultural Festival.  His generous efforts helped make the Gandhi celebration a beautiful occasion.  The banner in the background says "One Big Family."

Fat Cats entertain and educate the throngs about campaign finance reform at Franklin County Fair Parade in September, 1998.

These Fat Cats poked fun at money driven political campaigns. M.A. Swedlund (right) is an old friend of Traprock and former Core Group President.  Their political theater helped campaign finance reform (Question 2) pass by a two to one vote in Massachusetts on November 3rd.  Pretty nifty kitties, eh?

Traprock Peace Center hosts an annual Gandhi celebration on October 2nd in Amherst.

We started with small group discussions; in the foreground are Jonathan Haber and Steve Goodale.  Gladys Rivera (Core Group) thanks Tibetan volunteers in kitchen.   Wonderful simple food was shared by all (Steve Cobb, Core Group President, was head cook).  We ate from bowls donated by Steve Earp (see above).

  Arnab Chakravarti of Hampshire College attracted an attentive audience after dinner and Namrita Singh performed a beautiful, classical Indian dance.   Interns from the Agape Community then shared an inspiring slide show on Gandhi's life.  Afterwards, there was time for discussion and friend making.

Traprock Peace Center hosts potlucks in "Solidarity with Tibet"  

On Sunday, September 27th Sonam Lama told us how he got his niece out of Tibet (for a "fee" of $500 and a nice coat).  Tibetan guests, students from the International Institute for Cooperation and Development and Traprock volunteers had a wonderful evening.

  On Friday, October 23rd Sonam, Jempa and Tsultrim Dolma joined Traprock old-timers, friends from a local farm community and new friends for pot-luck, prayers, and the showing of a film about the protest, jailing and torture of Tibetan nuns by the Chinese in Tibet.  The film was beautifully made, which  accentuated the horror of the crimes committed against the nuns.  Tsultrim, a former nun who was featured in the film, answered questions.  Though she and Jempa had both been tortured, they express such grace, peace and forgiveness.  Truly remarkable - we're so fortunate to have them as new friends.  Jempa and others are seeking asylum.   They also need help with basic necessities and English-speaking tutors.

Traprock Covered Sister St. Jean's talk on the Death Penalty at Holy Cross on Oct. 5th.

Sister Prejean enthralled an overflow crowd of about 500 as she told her story behind the film and book "Dead Man Walking."  She explained how her stand against the death penalty is reinforced by her compassion for all of the victims involved.  Execution does nothing to resolve the pain of the families - only time, acceptance and eventual forgiveness can do that.  She recounted their immeasurable pain and how friends grow weary of helping them long before the pain has eased.  Revenge accomplishes nothing - one could kill the murderer again and again, yet the pain would remain.  Over time, forgiveness and the love of others can overcome the pain.  Moreover, executions create new victims - the families of those executed.  Who stands with them, or cares for them?  She also explored the many other arguments against the death penalty - the execution of innocents, its discriminatory implementation, the brutalization of society and those who perform the executions.  Sorry for not having a nice photo of Sister Prejean - once we figure out how to capture one off the videotapes, we'll post it.  In the meantime, anyone interested in helping to edit those videotapes?  We'll show them on local cable access stations.  Contact Traprock Peace Center if interested.