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Winnetka family hosts Hands of Peace picnic
Hands of Peace picnic 2012. | Contributed photo
Updated: August 27, 2012 6:10AM
WINNETKA — The fourth annual picnic for Hands of Peace, hosted by Irene and Tom Smith of Winnetka, was held on Wednesday night, July 11, at Elder Park in Winnetka. Hands of Peace is an interfaith program bringing together Palestinian, Israeli, and American teens for dialogue and friendship. The 42 participants arrived on July 4 and will return to their homes on July 19. They are hosted by north shore families.
The Smiths and their friends provided an all-American style picnic with plenty of food, music, and a lively game of softball, which is something new for most of the teens. Music was provided by “The Men from Uncle,” a versatile cover band, plus Ken Guy from Winnetka, Bud Nichols from Glenview, and rising star Ava Suppelsa, a junior at Evanston Township High School.
New Trier head baseball coach Mike Napoleon and three of his student leaders plus Victor Cooper, kinetic wellness teacher at Washburne School in Winnetka led the visitors in a softball game which was notable more for good laughs than good plays.
Everyone got a chance to bat in a sport which is not known in the Middle East.
A highlight of the event was the singing of the Hands of Peace anthem. Its words include, “We are people from different nations, but now we’re learning how to live… as one!” For more information about Hands of Peace, please go to www.handsofpeace.org.
