Written by Pam Russell Warder
Rush hour turns into something happier when you add smiles and waves as cars go by.
As motorists traveled along Emerson Avenue North around 5 p.m. on September 21, they were reminded about International Peace Day as they drove past the intersection of 18th Street and Emerson. The Rotary Club of North Minneapolis joined forces with community neighbors to wave signs promoting messages of peace and unity. International Peace Day is recognized nationally to promote the ideals of peace and non-violence.
Rotary club members and neighbors were well-received by passing vehicles, and got lots of honks.
Folks gathered the day before to make dozens of signs with images of peace and positive messages. Some club members sweetened the moment by handing out cookies to drivers and people who walked by the intersection.
“I liked being on a busy street,” said Abby Bloom. “Just about everyone waved or gave us honk. We even got a honk from a patrol officer and a county sheriff. It just seemed like a peaceful thing to do. Extending our hospitality is an example of how we shouldn’t have to worry about everyday interactions because you know you’re in a safe environment.”
Community friends who joined the peace recognition included Brothers Empowered, a community-based organization that supports and empowers men, youth and families of color, with health and wellness initiatives, youth services, community safety, economic development and community
outreach. The Rotary Club’s Peace & Conflict Resolution Committee organized the festivities. In addition to engaging passers-by, they also had a book giveaway for young children.
Peace and conflict resolution is one of three pillars of the Northside Rotary Club. The other two are maternal and child health, and education and literacy.
The intersection of 18th and Emerson is home to the Old Highland Peace Garden, which made the ideal location for the event. The peace garden, which was once an empty lot now offers free organic vegetables to the community and hosts community events including picnics, concerts and puppet shows. The peace garden took root in 2015 when the Rotary Club of North Minneapolis joined with area neighbors to transform the barren lot into a friendly gathering place. The Rotary Club, along with benevolent contributors, donated a garden bench, and signage identifying plants and vegetables. The Rotary also organizes garden clean-up days. “We take a lot of pride in working with the community to make this spot the green oasis it is today,” says past Rotary President Susan Smith.
“The garden is envisioned not merely as a plot of land, but as a transformative space in a food-barren area, providing sustenance and tranquility to the community,” says Smith. “The purpose of the peace garden was twofold. First, it aimed to alleviate the dearth of fresh produce on the Northside. Secondly, a collaborative spirit was cultivated with local residents evolving into positive change in the community. The peace garden became more than a patch of earth. It became a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of collaboration as well as a source of nourishment, both physical and spiritual, for a community on a journey to peace and prosperity.”
The Rotary Club of North Minneapolis meets online every Tuesday from 7:35-8:35 a.m. All are welcome. Contact northmplsrotary@gmail.com to request a link. The club is always looking for guest speakers who are making a difference in our community. For more info contact Rotary President Kathleen Hustad at kathleen@bloom44.com. Pam Russell Warder is a member and President-Elect of Rotary Club of North Minneapolis. Contributions to this article from Susan Smith and the Star Tribune.