Cultural trust to host second symposium
?CONNELLSVILLE — A variety of activities, conversations and programs are being finalized for the May 20-22 Yough Country Symposium.
Keynote speaker for the event will be former Florida attorney Michael D. Wallander, founder of The Kapok Group, a management consulting firm.
The symposium, said Michael Edwards, Fayette County Cultural Trust president, will serve as a forum to exchange ideas, developments and future possibilities for the region.
The trust is the host for the three-day event.
The 2010 symposium set the foundation for this year’s gathering, said Dr. Galen Wagner, former Connellsville resident and member of the symposium committee.
“With the inevitability of change, how can the Yough Country re-invent itself by returning to its core,” he said. “The Yough Country has been at the crossroads of geography, history, its people, and their industry.
“Thus within its imprinted past are the seeds that can transform the Yough Country forward into the future.”
On May 20, participants will gather at the Fayette County Cultural Trust building, located on South Pittsburgh Street for a tour of the area and then return to Connellsville for an informal reception.
The May 21 session will be held at the Connellsville Elks Lodge 503 located on East Crawford Avenue.
The morning session will include Wallander’s keynote address and panel discussions with various energy coalitions.
The afternoon session will include discussions tied to the development of the local trails and recreation, inter-municipal relationships, business, health and education advancements and arts and entertainment progress.
The discussions will be led by various community leaders.
Later, symposium participants will be invited to attend a musical performance at the Edwin S. Porter Theater and Performing Arts Center, located on Fairview Avenue.
The symposium locale moves to Yough Park on May 22 for several morning activities, including hiking, biking and rafting followed by a noon catered luncheon.
The afternoon session will include discussions about the area’s future.
“The seeds of change are in our education of ways we can contribute to transforming the Yough Country community toward its potential to serve our 21st century global society,” said Wagner. “We encourage those that support the community to bring their ideas as to how to best build the Yough Country.
“Let us re-awaken the spirit of the Yough Country by sharing our united abilities to reach the Yough.”
The cost to participate is $50 for Saturday and Sunday activities, catered luncheons and entertainment.
All proceeds will benefit the Fayette County Cultural Trust.
For additional information or to make reservations, call 724-626-0141 or visit the trust or email Edwards at fccturst.zoominternet.net.