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.
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 (Interim Town Planner Donna Lanza)
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, Lorette 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!
