Latino Task Force of Monroe County

2008 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations—  Art Exhibit and Workshops:  Saturday, October 11, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.,Eastern Monroe Public Library. Pre-registration Click Photo Gallery. Latino artists exhibited their work at the library and provided two free workshops for ages 8 to adult; an oil painting demonstration, as well as a bilingual story hour. Workshop participants created oil paintings with a Hispanic motif. The art exhibit showcased Latino fine artists Maria Ferreris (oil paintings), Lucia Alvarez (wood carving), Mariana Russo (mixed media),  Armando Baez (mixed media, graphic design), professional photographer Miguelina Torres, and Tapestry artist Bridget Persia. Actress Lillian Gonzalez conducted the bilingual storyteller's hour.  This project was supported by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) the regional arts funding partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency. State government funding comes through an annual appropriation by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Pocono Arts Council.

2008 Noche de Gala Scholarship Dinner — Saturday, September 20th, 6 p.m.- 11 p.m., Chateau Resort & Conference Center. Click Home Page and Photo Gallery for details.

Cinco de Mayo— The Latino Task Force of Monroe County (LTF) celebrated the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo with an art exhibition, and a series of workshops conducted by Latino artists on Saturday, May 10^th from 1p.m. - 5 p.m. at Clymer Library, Firehouse Road in Pocono Pines. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo (5^th of May in English) is recognized as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry.  In Mexican history, May 5, 1862 commemorates Mexico's victorious battle against a French invasion in the town of Puebla. Some scholars believe that if the French had defeated México at the Battle of Puebla, the South would have won the Civil War, since France would have then provided military support to the South in order to lift the Union Blockade from Southern ports. Cinco de Mayo workshops included: Wood painting and Carving with Lucia Alvarez; Bilingual reading on the Cinco de Mayo; and Making Paper Flowers with Maria Ferreris. The art exhibition included works by Lucia Alvarez, Maria Ferreris, Armando Baez, and Mariana Russo. This project was supported by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) the regional arts funding partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency. State government funding comes through an annual appropriation by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Pocono Arts Council. 5 de Mayo 2008 

Community Appreciation Picnic— Rain or Shine supporters and friends of the Latino Task Force turned out for our 2008 community appreciation picnic.  More than 25 people braved a heavy thunderstorm some coming as far away as Scranton to say Presente.  In attendance were amigos y amigas from St. Ann’s Church, King’s College, Northampton Community College, Latino artists, youth from Pocono Mountain West and East Side high schools, and more. Pedro Gonzalez from the Latin American Cultural Center in Scranton sent his regrets. He and his youth dance group had volunteered to perform at the event.    

Thanks to: Raquel Munoz (Puerto Rico) for her arroz con salchicha and her arroz con gandules; Cecilia Mercado (Cuba/Republic Dominicana) for her empanadas/pastelillos con carne de res; Rita Arana (Peru) for her arroz a la jardinera and tallerines. August 11, 2008