This special community festival was held on February 10th at the Highland Heights Community Center on Cleveland's east side. About 40 people gathered, 20 members and a variety of old and new friends, relatives and neighbors. There were plenty of tasty home-made international dishes to share. We started with a prayer. Then with sparkling grape juice for all, Allyn Lipstreuer led a toast to family love and unity. During the scrumptious meal a brief PowerPoint introduction of FFWPU was presented by Joel Lindstrom and was very well received, giving a clear spirit and meaning to our gathering of families.

Bruce Biddle, as emcee, kept things lively with knock-knock jokes as many stepped forward to offer a song or words of inspiration. Denise Burton, who came with her whole family and their children's friends, read a beautiful article on bringing harmony between husband and wife. It was message of love, leading to a comment that we should all be united in pledging a second lunar New Year's resolution. The festival ended with a raffle drawing.

Forty people may not seem like many; however, it was an amazing number of people in light of the extremely cold, single-digit, snowstorm weather that day. Even Bruce Biddle's parents who usualy don't drive at night, came and had to drive back carefully at 5 miles per hour. I'm sure God knew this because his mother won the grand prize of the raffle! Everyone stayed for a while sharing together, even though the blustery snow continued like crazy outside and all were anxious to get safely home.

It was a beautiful night with such a rainbow of races, nationalities and ages. Thank you, Megumi Lindstrom, our Kodan leader, who suggested we do this event and all sisters (some brothers) who brought wonderful tasty food and shared their musical talents. And finally, for the Second Gens who sang the beautiful song "When we Hold on Together," which drew some tears from the appreciative audience. It has been 5 years since we put together a family festival such as this. We realize how much we need this kind of community gathering and how much other people are looking for this kind of experience.

Bruce and Keiko Biddle