Never underestimate the potential of powerhouse community engager Rosa Gonzalez.
As I was carrying one of two large, slow cooker pots of aromatic hot chocolate up the steps of the Carnegie Library Museum, I was inappropriately sending negative vibes into the universe by thinking there was no way all the yummy hot beverage would be consumed.
Of course, Rosa correctly knew the power of her networking and recruiting skills among the families that were excited to spend an evening at Perry’s gem that is the Carnegie Library Museum.
Christmas trees and snow people were beautifully colored, scavenger hunts completed with that pesky Dalmatian consistently proving to be one of the more challenging items to find, treats and hot chocolate enjoyed and piñata-like ornaments creatively and beautifully (and with amazing patience) assembled.
Our first visitor shared that he’d lived in Perry for 27 years and had never been inside the Carnegie. We are so happy he and his family came to enjoy the Festival of Trees and all it has to offer the community. Mission accomplished every time a first timer crosses the threshold into the Carnegie, which is free and open to all.
Amazingly, families hung out. They stuck around. No in-and-out and on to the next “to do.” No. Families stayed and spent time in the space and with each other—phones replaced with crafts and refreshments.
Guests were experiencing the Carnegie—interacting and learning, including a wonderful “Ah-ha!” moment for a few Anglos. When I put the scavenger hunt together, I tried to represent different categories of participants—retail, churches, organizations—both floors of the Carnegie, varied items, etc.
Since Peanuts has been part of my entire childhood and adult life with cartoon strips, TV shows and merchandise, it didn’t occur to me that the Latino culture is not as immersed from birth into the Peanuts world of Charles Schulz as I.
A volunteer had the “Ah-ha!” moment while watching kids complete the hunt and seeing that Snoopy was not as easy as one might think. What I thought was an easy find—Snoopy—isn’t for everyone. As hard as it may be to believe, not everyone makes the instant association between the Snoopy character and a Peanuts Christmas tree display. Lesson learned thanks to Latino Night at the Carnegie.
Thanks to Rosa, it was a wonderful family event, with more than 30 guests filling the Carnegie during the annual Festival of Trees. Visit the trees at the Carnegie Tuesday to Sunday through Jan. 8.
And, yes, Rosa was totally right about needing two slow cookers of hot chocolate. No doubt.
