USA: Maryland, Peace Garden of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park

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teddybear4me2 · #1 Post by **teddybear4me2** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:58 pm

Today was a beautiful day to join the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park Dedication Ceremony at King Farm. The festival and activities were performed through out the entire MattieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Park. This series captured the best moments that took place at the Peace Garden of the MattieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Park.

Procession by Montgomery County Pipes and Drum Band.

At Peace Garden of the MattieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s ParK

Crowd at the Peace Garden

"Peace is possible. It can begin simply, over a game of chess and a cup of tea." ~ Mattie J.T. Stepanek (1990-2004)

The inscribed bricks in the Peace Garden

Dedication the Mattie Park to the enjoyment of all Rockville Residents

Ribbon cutting and sculpture unveiling

Friends of Mattie's

MattieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Mom and dog

MattieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s messages engraved on every benches. There are more than dozen benches in the park, here are just a few.

Hope MattieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s vision and passion for peace will continue to grow beyond this beautiful park and into the world.

#2 Post by **Mikan** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:35 pm

Thank you!
I was having a stressful evening but this reminded me that there's always a new tomorrow of possibilities!!

yoof san · #3 Post by **yoof san** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:36 pm

OK next time we go to the States, I'm definitely adding this park to our itinerary.

teddybear4me2 · #4 Post by **teddybear4me2** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:21 am

Mikan: sorry to hear that you had a rough night, hope as the days goes it will get better for you. * hug*
yoof san: ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s great!! If you do plan to come to the States, please let me know, my house is only a few blocks from the park.

nataluna · #5 Post by **nataluna** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:11 pm

melissa · #6 Post by **melissa** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:57 pm

Lovely pics Dana. I haven't heard of Mattie before. I looked him up and found him to be quite a roll model. Thank you for posting this dedication ceramony.

Chuplayer · #7 Post by **Chuplayer** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:34 pm

melissa wrote:Lovely pics Dana. I haven't heard of Mattie before. I looked him up and found him to be quite a roll model. Thank you for posting this dedication ceramony.

My thought's exactly. He was wise beyond his age.

teddybear4me2 · #8 Post by **teddybear4me2** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:41 am

Thank you, nataluna, Melissa and Chuplayer for your comments. Every time when I go to the park, I try to find and capture more benches and plaques with quotes from MattieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s books. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s quite inspirational.

Here is just a local news on Oprah joined the community to dedicate Mattie's park, if anyone is interested to read about it. thanks!
http://www.gazette.net/stories/10222008 ... 2471.shtml

#9 Post by **Mikan** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:25 pm

Are any of his poems online?
I remember I read one and it was really very, very impressive.

teddybear4me2 · #10 Post by **teddybear4me2** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:02 am

Mikan wrote:Are any of his poems online?
I remember I read one and it was really very, very impressive.

Dear Milan, I am not sure if his poems are available on-line, but here are some of his quotes on the park benches that I captured so far, they might be putting a few moreÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

#11 Post by **Mikan** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:42 pm

Thank you!
Yep, I sense a soul who came with a mission, finished it, and went Home...!

bluesime · #12 Post by **bluesime** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 5:29 pm

Beautiful messages and photos. Thank you Dana! My internet at home could open even one of your photo. I use the internet at uni now. I meant to comment to your post but I couldn't see the photo.
They are great. Love your girl and her T shirt. So cute! She fit in with the theme nicely! ^^