DID YOU KNOW....

. . . that according to famedtrumpeter Harry James,

“Next to jazz music, there is nothing that lifts the spirit and

strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili”

Well, here at theMaria Kaupas Center, we put a little spin on old Henry’s musings:

Next to music made by chimes, recorders, drums, and voice,

there is nothing that lifts the spirit and strengthens the soul

more than a good bowl of pasta

(with a side of cheesy garlic bread).

This week the MKC was carried away by heavenly sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes.

On Monday, November 3^rd,

MKC board member Nadine Roy and her sister, Dr. Mary Roy,

taught a group of 7^th and 9^th graders new cooking skills

and how to prepare a meal for a crowd.

Under the watchful eyes of Mary and Nadine,

students surprised everyone at the Center by preparing and serving an

unexpected andamazing Italian feast in the Kaupas Kafe.

. . .Complimenti alla cuo

. . .Doe, a deer, a female deer;

Ray, a drop of golden sun. . .

On Tuesday, November 4th, MKC staff transformed the community room into

a performance theater.

The3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th gradeparticipants in the

Harmony, Hope & Healing music program

presented aninspirational concertfor friends and families.

Led by instructors Ms. Tina Villapando and Ms. Anna Belle O’Shea and assistants from St. Xavier University,

and accompanied bypianist Ms. Mary Prete,

the children demonstrated many of the things they have learned over the past several weeks,

including basic note reading, recorder and drum technique,

and a genuinelove of music and performing.

Stressing that music best learned – and appreciated – thoughall of the senses,

Anna Belle and Tina incorporated

kinesthetic activities and listening skills into their instruction and into the concert.

They also asked for audience participation when the children performed

The Peace Song andLean on Me.

A large and appreciative crowd consisting of

parents, siblings, Catalyst faculty, and

Representatives from the Sisters of St. Casimir

enjoyed the show as well as the informal reception that followed.

Food is music to the body,

Music is food to the heart.

--Gregory David Roberts

The Maria Kaupas Center is deeply grateful to our partner,

Harmony, Hope & Healing,

and to our benefactors,

Nadine Roy and Dr. Mary Roy,

for making these programs possible.

DID YOU KNOW.....

. . . that the Maria Kaupas Center is committed to building community

across the ages and across the miles?

On Wednesday, October 29^th, the MKC Teen Leaders assisted

the chefs from Nativity Preschool as they prepared delicious non-bake pumpkin pie.

The pre-schoolers got to hang with the big kids they so look up to,

the teens (and Matt)  basked in the little ones’ love,

and E V E R Y O N E enjoyed the timely treats!

      

  

                                      

But The MKC is also eager to spread its message beyond Marquette Park.

On Saturday, November 1^st,

MKC Program Director Amy Eckhouse, MKC staff member Matt Whalen, and

Teen Leaders Danielle Starling, Dominique Starling, & Ahvay Jackson were joined by

Amanda Bates & Kaaren Hatlen, faculty members from Catalyst-Maria;

Leslie Strauss, teacher at Catalyst-Howland,

and Queen of Peace High School teacher Kristine Owens

for a Peace Circle training workshop facilitated by the

Community Justice for Youth Institute.

The circle is a process that enhances

communication,

relationship development,

conflict resolution,

and

community building,

all the things the MKC is committed to delivering to this community.

The MKC will host another workshop during the winter;

contact Amy Eckhouse at the Center if you are interested in participating or learning more about peace circles.

The Maria Kaupas Center is deeply indebted to the

McLaughlin Faith Foundation

for awarding us a grant to bring peace circles to Marquette Park.