We at CoDE feel incredibly grateful to have partnered with so many people to bring educational, moving and remarkable Juneteenth events to the community.
On Friday night, we partnered with Sanctuary Performing Arts at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, led by Father Ron Kolanowski, to host an evening with Fred Morsell performing Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July.” And wow, what a performance!
Fred was transformed into Frederick Douglass giving his famous speech in Rochester, NY. An appreciative audience gave him a standing ovation, clearly moved and impressed. Many thanks to everyone who joined us tonight for a special and memorable evening.
On Saturday, the sun shone on Burnt Hill Park for our fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration and Peters Family Reunion. It was a beautiful day to connect, learn, and have fun!
We feel honored and grateful to members of the Peters Family — descendants of formerly enslaved Hebron resident Cesar Peters — for joining with us to celebrate Juneteenth. Each year we learn more about their history and strengthen our relationships — and the community learns about the history of Hebron’s enslaved residents. This year, they organized the program and brought their family members for a family reunion.
A special part of this year’s event was the Hebron Town Council issuing a proclamation naming June 20, 2026 Juneteenth Celebration and Peters Family Day in Hebron. Chairwoman Tiffany Thiele read the proclamation as council members Jan Lawrence, Claudia Riley, and Sean Fitzgerald and interim town manager Donna Lanza looked on — with hugs all around following the reading. View the proclamation here.
Singing, dancing and saxophone playing — kids’ games and delicious soul food — and a wonderful sharing by members of the Peters family about their history and ancestry — rounded out the day.
We have so many people to thank for making this day possible —
- Town of Hebron (Donna Lanza, Interim Town Manager)
- Hebron Parks & Rec Department (Craig Bryant, Director)
- Hebron Town Council (Tiffany Thiele, chairwoman)
- Hebron Historic Properties Commission (Mary Ann Foote, chairperson)
- St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
- Gilead Hill Congregational Church (lending us tables and chairs)
- Douglas Library (lending us djembe drums and games)
- Craig Wright (for the delicious soul food)
- Lisa Johnson (for the delicious poundcake)
Performers:
- Karl Jancis, teacher, and RHAM Middle School students (dancing)
- Anna Bech, Loretta Heinan (poem)
- Charles Taylor (saxophone)
- Edith Peters and grandchildren (singers)
- JAB Singers (Jahdaia Smith, Alonna Thompson, Joshua Smith, Daelynn Holloway)
- Karleka Norman (emcee)
- Zakiyyah Hassan, Janis Peters, Edith Peters, Malik (discussion of Peters family branches)
Volunteers:
- John Baron
- Dave Boone
- Olivia Carr
- Cheri Cavanna
- Kymberly Cianci
- Nancy Hammerstrom
- Christiane O’Brien Helmer
- Christi Moraga
- Cindy Parade
- Dave Porteous
- Kathy Salk
- Sue Smallidge
- Dave Sousa
- Karen Wilkinson
- Peter Yorio
- Jill Zorn
Our donors and funders:
- Northeast Family, a division of Self-Help Family Federal Credit Union
- Century 21 AllPoints Realty (Jim Celio)
- Hebron Travel
Juneteenth Planning Committee:
- Althea Carr, chairperson
- Amy D’Amaddio
- Zakiyyah Hassan
- Donna Jolly
- Cathy McSweeney
- Janis Peters
- Jay Whitsett
Thanks to everyone who joined us for this special day!
