February 17, 2026 – HRDEI Committee – Video & Transcript
February 17, 2026 - HRDEI Committee
Okay, good evening, everyone. I'm Karen Blumenfeld, Chair of the Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and our meeting is beginning at 6.02 p.m. on February 17, 2026.
Let's start with a roll call. I'll just say your name, and you can say your name and say you're here. Mary Ann?
Here. Mary Ann Borkowski, here.
Thank you. Yawu?
No, thanks, here.
Thank you. Denise?
Denise Porton is here.
Sophie?
Sophie Chant, here.
Kevin?
Here.
Thank you. And Mariam, hello.
Hi, here.
Thank you. So Kevin is going to read a little language that we have to read and then our land acknowledgement.
Okay.
Okay.
This meeting is being recorded and will be made available to the public on WACAM as soon as possible after the meeting.
Anyone who would like to make public comment may do so.
We ask the public comment be limited to two minutes per person.
Okay.
Okay.
The Indigenous Land Acknowledgement.
Today, as we begin, we would like to acknowledge the following Indigenous peoples on whose traditional homelands we live, work, and gather today.
The Massachusetts Nipmucs and Wampanoag and the Pawtucket.
We acknowledge their ancestors, particularly Carto, of the Massachusetts tribe, who was steward of much of the land now encompassing Sudbury and Wayland, when European settlers arrived to colonize this place in 1638.
We seek to understand, acknowledge, and remember the painful, ongoing history of war, genocide, and forced removal of the Indigenous peoples by European settlers.
And we offer a living celebration of the Indigenous communities who are not just a living part of the past, but who continue to live and make new history here today.
May we all commit to deepening our relationships with Indigenous communities and to be their allies and working for justice.
Did I get it all?
Thank you so much, Kevin.
And I wanted to just acknowledge we have a lot of holidays and things happening this week.
It's kind of an amazing week.
There's President's Day, there's Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, there's Lunar New Year, there's a solar eclipse today, Ash Wednesday and Lent begins, and then Ramadan begins.
So we have like this whole amazing amalgam of things going on this week.
It's a really, really full week.
Public comment, I see none.
So let's move to discuss and vote on the January 20th minutes, and then I want to go down to another, I want to switch the order of the agenda a little bit, just to make sure we don't lose a quorum.
Erin.
Yes.
I have a second question.
Do you need to turn on the transcript or someone will do it automatically?
Oh, that is such a good question.
Ah, it's only me as the host, and just give me one second.
Is that AI Companion?
No, it's transcript, right?
Yeah.
Okay.
Or transcribe or whatever.
Okay, but that's happening then in the chat.
Is that as...
Oh, you can give me the co-host, so I'm going to be able to do it, too.
Um, okay, folks, sorry for this pause.
Hold on one second.
Let me make you the co-host.
Okay. You're the co-host. Karen, do you need me to re-read the land acknowledgement, or no? No. No. Yaw, we'll just know that you read it. Um, okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. All right. All right. Thank you. But give us a sec, because the person from the town left before showing me how to do... There is a transcript button there. I can do transcript. You can do, too. I'm not sure I can save. I didn't see a save button, so I don't think I can save it. I don't see a save button either. So is there some other way to do this? What about, I think, AI Companion, Yawu? Okay. Maybe you'll try that. Oh, no. It was already started. The AI Companion is already started. Um, so hopefully it's working. This is a short meeting, so worse comes to worse. Yeah, that's true, too. Yeah. Worse comes to worse. Okay. Thank you for reminding me that next time we need to ask him how to do that before he leaves. Um, okay. So I'm gonna... I don't know what you guys are seeing, but I'm just gonna close this, so in case you're seeing my screen, which I don't think you are. Um, okay, guys. So January 20th meeting minutes. Let me start by saying that Denise and Kevin were not present on January 20th, so we will ask you two to abstain on the January 20th meeting minutes. Um, are there any comments on the draft? I was planning on abstaining. Thank you. On the January 20th meeting minutes. Thank you. You're, you're one step ahead of me. Thank you. Um, if there are no comments, would somebody like to move to approve the January 20th meeting minutes? So moved. Marianne. So moved. Okay. And is there a second?
That was second. Yawu seconding. Okay.
Okay. Let's vote. Um, Marianne? Yes. Yawu? Yes. Denise? Abstain. Abstain. Thank you. Sophie? Yes. Kevin? I'm abstaining. Yes. Thank you. And Mariam? Yes. And me, Karen? Yes. So we unanimously approved the meeting minutes from January 20th. Um, I want to do, I think you may need to add in, you unanimously approved the January 20th meeting with two abstentions. I think. Excuse me. Thank you. Yes. Thank you for that correction with abstentions by Kevin and Denise. I think you're required to say that. You are absolutely right. Thank you. I need all of us. I need all of us to, it takes a village to remind me all the things I'm supposed to do. So I really appreciate when anybody reminds me. Don't worry about it. Thank you. Um, I want to skip down to the item we were going to, I want to do the 630 and the 640 items. Cause I want to, those are two votes and I just want to make sure that we get to those in case we lose our quorum. Cause we are a small group tonight. Um, so the item to discuss at 630, which we're pulling up to 610 right now is discussion and possible vote to co-sponsor a community reading of Frederick Douglass's What to the Slave is the 4th of July with the Wayland Library and Wayland Museum and Historical Society. Um, we're bringing this to the table now because, um, the light, the museum, uh, Scarlett from the museum is going to be writing a grant to get funding, um, to do this program again. And so that's why I'm bringing it up now, even though July seems like a long time away. Um, for those of you who were there at the last one, um, do you want to say anything about what it's, what it was like, Marianne? Um, it was very well attended, um, people really seem to enjoy it. Um, and actually I think it was a result of that strong attendance that people were interested in more conversation and we had our, um, conversations for change after. So I think it's, um, definitely something we'd like to, to, um, support again. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments, thoughts, questions? Or do they hold it? Ah, thank you. So the date that the tentative date, it's of course not July 4th because everybody would be busy on July 4th. The tentative date is June 30th. It's the Tuesday before July 4th in the evening. Um, I was talking with, uh, we mentioned some, uh, American association and, uh, may I, um, I think I'm interested to have some of, uh, some of their members participate and, uh, they are willing to do the co-sponsor. I don't know if we are looking for the co-sponsor. Would you see them? I don't know the answer to that. Um, I can put you in touch with some people who could help answer that question. It's a good question. Okay. Yeah. I think they wouldn't. If they do, do co-sponsor, then they do it too. Okay. Uh, I'm just writing myself a note and I will do it. We do actually initiate. Sorry. Is it from the museum or? It's the museum and the library. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So you will contact with them. I will do that. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Okay. Okay. Okay. Please make a move to co-sponsor with the library and the Wayland Museum and Historical Society, a July 4th. Um, well, it wouldn't be July 4th, but a read of what to the slave is the 4th of July. To move. To move. So you want to second it, Kevin? I'll second it. Okay. Kevin. Second. So Yawu moved and Kevin seconded. Um, so let us take a vote then. Marianne? Yes. Yawu? Yes. Uh, Denise? Yes. Sophie? Oh, my name is. Okay. Uh, Kevin? Yes. Okay. Uh, Kevin? Yes. Mario? Yes. And Karen? Yes. So, that's unanimous. Right, Kevin? That was everybody. Okay. Okay. Good. Um, excellent. And then the next one, cause this too was a vote, uh, that I wanted to get to for the same reason is that there's grant writing and other types of stuff involved on the part of the museum. So I wanted to get back to Scarlett as soon as possible. So this next one is discussion and possible vote to co-sponsor with the Wayland Museum and Historical Society, a display and lecture on the story of Robert H. Hawkins, who founded one of the first black golf courses in America. It's called Mappledale in Stowe, uh, Stowe, Massachusetts. And he did so after working his way up to being a club manager at Wayland's Sandy Burr Golf Club in the early 1920s. And for anyone on this call or anyone who is listening, um, there is a website called Rediscover Mappledale that tells the story of this really remarkable man. Um, and there's apparently a traveling exhibit that the museum would like to bring to Wayland, um, and have people learn about this remarkable man who was right here in Wayland and then opened this golf course in Stowe. Um, and it's, it's, it's a piece of history that most of us don't know, and it would be an opportunity to bring that piece of history to Wayland. Wayland is the website is rediscover Mappledale. It is rediscover Mappledale. Yeah. And likewise, yeah, who's, um, do you know if there's been any outreach to, um, Metco Wayland Metco? I don't think there's been any outreach to anyone yet. So what do you, what are you recommending? Well, that we, um, at least tell them that, um, this is of interest. I would think it would help their, uh, their request for grant money. If Metco signed on. Okay. Yep. Again, the WCAA, it was open for co-sponsors. Okay. I would try to, I think they will be interested. Okay. It's, uh, it's quite more educational for people from China too. Yeah, no, it's really, really interesting. When there's understanding the issue on what's the, what's the real story. That's great. Thank you. Um, we, I will, I will pass along these ideas and, um, we'll, at the next meeting we can talk about what, you know, what, what the response is. Yeah. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? I'm very excited about this. This is a wonderful and to have something, um, so positive. Um, it's very exciting. Yeah. I'm actually interested in, you know, I believe Sandy Burr is owned by the same family, the Sabati family. I mean, I know it's been owned by them in the time that I've been in town. I don't know if they owned it before, but it'd be interesting if there's any history anywhere in the facility about them. It would be. And I'm sure Scarlett is going to reach out to them as she, as this works on it. Right. Yeah. Who are you saying owned it? The Sabatis have owned it right now, but I don't know if they owned it when, um, Mr. Mapledale was here, but it'd be interesting to see if they, if they did or, or if there's any history about it at the, at Sandy Burr. Yeah. Um, okay. So if there's no further discussion, would somebody please make a motion to co-sponsor with the Wayland Museum and Historical Society, a display and lecture on the story of Robert H. Hawkins. And I guess I could say the whole thing. A display and lecture on the story of Robert H. Hawkins, who founded one of the first black golf courses in America, Mapledale in Stow after working as a club manager at Wayland Sandy Burr in the early 1920s. And all you have to do is say, so moved. You don't have to repeat that whole thing. So moved. Kevin makes a motion. Is there a second? A second. Marianne seconds. Okay. Marianne seconds. Thank you. So let's vote. And I'm going to go in a different order this time. Kevin. Yes. Mariam. Yes. Sophie. Yes. Yahoo. Yes. Marianne. Yes. And Karen. Yes. So that is unanimous. So that is unanimous. Thank you. I will let Scarlett know so she can proceed with her work on these two great projects. And then the only other thing and I'm really aiming to make this as quick a meeting as possible, because I know it's full vacation week and there's just a small group of us and I want folks to be able to get back to there. And it's Ramadan. So the only other thing is just quick updates and any discussion on these four things that are listed on the agenda. First, conversations, not confrontations. Anyone who was there who might want to talk about what that was like? Yeah, I think it's a very interesting, it's a very good place to meet the people who are interested on this type of issues, this type of. And so it looks like there's a couple of people I'd want you to maybe be interested on if you already need an icy type of work. I will keep working on that. Good. Marianne. It was snowing pretty hard right when the event was starting. And so I was very impressed that as many people showed up as were there. So I thought it was a good showing, especially in view of the weather. I thought it was very interactive. It felt very conversational, not confrontational. And so I'm excited about what the next session will be. There are three more, so I'm looking forward to them. Thank you. Yes, Jamil Adams, the facilitator leader, did a beautiful job and really engaged people. We had about 40, roughly 40 people there. And the next one is Tuesday, March 10th from 7 to 8.30 at First Parish for anybody who may be listening. And we hope more people will continue to sign up so they can find the QR code on our flyer on our website as well as our Facebook page and tell your friends and bring a friend the next time, especially if you think you know of someone who might benefit from gaining skills in moving from confrontation to conversation. So, yeah, thank you, everybody. And then the almost similar sounding program that we have queuing up next, Conversations for Change, where we're adding two more sessions. I put this on here only so that we could publicly mention the next two dates for that extension of the Conversations for Change series with Dr. Eden Renee Hayes at the library. And we have two amazing new topics, which on March 19th at the library, it'll be James Baldwin's Stranger in the Village, colon, Who Gets to Belong and Who Decides. So we'll be studying James Baldwin. And the next one will be April 30th. And the topic will be Paul Robeson testifies before the House Un-American Activities Committee when fear shapes belonging. And Paul Robeson, for those who may not know, was a brilliant, multi-talented Black singer and athlete and what else? He was an actor. He was an actor. An actor. Yeah, singer, actor, athlete. Right. He was in he he integrated Broadway in 1943. He was the first black man to play Othello in the United States. He was a two time All-American at Rutgers, one of the greatest college football players in history, graduated from Columbia Law School. This world renowned guy who was just decimated by McCarthyism. And so this is about what happens when McCarthyism and the like come to the United States. So those are two great topics, March 19th and April 30th. And we'll have publicity out for this program soon. But encourage people to to really come to those two programs. Lunar New Year. Yahoo, do you want to talk to us about how Lunar New Year was? Yeah, the New Year party was the celebration was great. I really enjoyed. I see the snowing day. There are so many people participating. And I thank you for many of you are there, too. You're there, too. And I really like the involvement from the school. And then they are performing. They learn the Chinese. And they've seen all those popular songs.
What we do we, that we use cube here. So especially to see the applications. They give tons of people to come and sing. Those are really, really great. So I think that all performances are well done. I think that the best is I, is we get the Chinese community really more engaged with the time. I think that's what I like the most. So I can start from this point to let them to evolve more. Okay. Of course, we continue with the New Year celebrations, but also I like to, to have more running cares on the, on different committees. And I'm pleased to participate on different committees as well. So also I'm very pleased that some of the time leaders were there to support this. And they are very pleased, too. So I think overall it's just great. I think so. I think so. They, I've also see that they, another thing is they generated new, new leaderships. You know, this year is done by Kao Jing. She's the first, first time to be, she's fully in charge of this event. And there's younger generations and it's really doing great. So you get a lot of new brothers doing the, to participate. So overall it's, I feel this organization become really more stable. It's a way to be able to pass on from generation to generation. So all those are, I'm really happy with that. Marianne, did you want to add anything? Yeah, I was there. It was, it was a, uh, outstanding, um, uh, performances. Um, and, uh, uh, and also the room was just filled. Uh, the auditorium was filled with, with people. So that was exciting. And I'm really, um, so happy to see such an event in our town. Um, and that it, it, that we have so many people that support it. And yes, as, uh, as Yabu always says, you know, you always could have room for more, but, um, certainly, um, it's something that's really distinctive and wonderful that happens. Yeah. I was there too. And I was completely blown away by their performances. And I, I felt like, wow, you know, you don't have to go into Boston to see really high level, beautiful performances, dance music. It was amazing. Um, and I feel like, yeah, well, if you wanted, um, you know, next year we could make even a bigger push to try to get people, um, other members of the community who aren't Chinese, um, or Asian, you know, to show up at this, at this thing. If, if, if that would be something, you know, if you want more people there, because I think white people might not realize it's for them too. You know, they might think, oh, it's only for people who are Asian. And I think if, if it was desirable, we could make a bigger push to, so that everyone knows they're welcome and that they don't have to go to Boston to see amazing performances. That's right. That's right. I have the same feeling too. Yeah. The performance is, especially the stage manager. I think it's pretty huge. Or whoever would actually manage the stage are so great. There's no kick up. The whole thing is just so small. Very small. It's professional. It's like professional. Very professional. It was very professional. And we didn't even mention how good the food is too. That's always another annual great. Yeah. Well, and the, you know, we had, you know, our Senator and one of our representatives were there and a number of principals. And, you know, it's really important to have leadership there to just show that, that the, the whole support of inclusion. And, um, Senator Eldridge, you know, said he was going to other programs, um, also celebrating the Lunar New Year. I'm just happy that Wayland was one of those lists that he, you know, could say, because he'll probably go there and say, and we were just at, I was just at the Lunar New Year event at, um, Wayland. Um, Wayland, and, and that is a good thing. Really great. Really great. Really like a highlight of the year, I think, for Wayland. Mm-hmm. So thank you. Um, I just wanted to loop back to the town building use policies, because I think I inadvertently gave incorrect information when we talked about this probably two or three meetings ago. Um, so this is just a quick fact check. Um, we had talked about concern that, you know, community groups get charged to use, um, public spaces, the new, the new, um, Council on Aging Community Center for, in particular. Um, and I went back and just discovered that when, when there's no rental fee for community groups during weekday business hours or weekday evenings. And that includes Monday through Friday evening. So there is no charge Monday through Friday day or evening. The fee schedule applies to Saturdays and Sundays, with Sundays being more expensive because custodial staff gets paid more. Um, so I just wanted to say that because I think I had said some incorrect information before. So that is, that is pretty nice that any, any weeknight, including Friday, um, community groups can use the space as long as it isn't already occupied by, by somebody else. I just wanted to pass that along. Um, and then honestly, that's it for the agenda. I told you it was a short agenda. I wanted to get through it quickly because it's a vacation week. So, um, the only other thing is any announcements and matters not reasonably anticipated in advance. Does anyone have any announcements? Just a quick question. When's the next meeting? Ah, thank you. I put you up to that, didn't I? No, not really. Okay. Next meeting is so just looking through the calendar. So the next, uh, um, conversations, not confrontations is Tuesday, March 10th. And then we meet the following week, Tuesday, March 17th. And thank you for queuing that up because we're going to meet, um, hybrid, but in person, if you can, uh, in the Council on Aging Building. So we'll have a nice, pretty room. Um, and we're going to celebrate the HRDIC's fifth anniversary with some dessert together. Um, cause, cause we were, this group was founded, um, in March of 2021. And it will be just about exactly our, our fifth anniversary. And so we want to acknowledge that with something yummy to eat. So keep your eyes open for the agenda for the next meeting. Okay. So the next meeting is March 17th for us. Yep. March 17th, um, hybrid. Yep. Okay. All right. Thanks. Marianne. Um, we are a, um, advisory board to the, um, uh, to the select board. So, um, uh, I think we should invite them, um, if, uh, to maybe make a statement or to just come for dessert or come at some point. Um, during the meeting, um, during the meeting to recognize that moment. Sounds good. I like it. Good. Cake. Or cake. Who, who could say no? Yeah. Thank you. Um, anything else, any other announcements? If not, this will be the shortest HRDIC meeting on record. And I hope that everybody has a really nice week with whatever things they might be celebrating or things they might be doing during this vacation week. Um, would somebody move to adjourn? I'll make a motion that we turn at 634. 634. Good. Is there a second? Second. Who was that? Denise. Denise. Okay. Denise seconds. Okay. Let's vote. Uh, Denise. Yes. Evan. Yes. Marion. Yes. Sophie. Yes. Thank you. Yawu. Yes. Marianne. Yes. Karen. Yes. Thank you so much, everybody. Have a great rest of your week.
Okay. You're the co-host. Karen, do you need me to re-read the land acknowledgement, or no? No. No. Yaw, we'll just know that you read it. Um, okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. All right. All right. Thank you. But give us a sec, because the person from the town left before showing me how to do... There is a transcript button there. I can do transcript. You can do, too. I'm not sure I can save. I didn't see a save button, so I don't think I can save it. I don't see a save button either. So is there some other way to do this? What about, I think, AI Companion, Yawu? Okay. Maybe you'll try that. Oh, no. It was already started. The AI Companion is already started. Um, so hopefully it's working. This is a short meeting, so worse comes to worse. Yeah, that's true, too. Yeah. Worse comes to worse. Okay. Thank you for reminding me that next time we need to ask him how to do that before he leaves. Um, okay. So I'm gonna... I don't know what you guys are seeing, but I'm just gonna close this, so in case you're seeing my screen, which I don't think you are. Um, okay, guys. So January 20th meeting minutes. Let me start by saying that Denise and Kevin were not present on January 20th, so we will ask you two to abstain on the January 20th meeting minutes. Um, are there any comments on the draft? I was planning on abstaining. Thank you. On the January 20th meeting minutes. Thank you. You're, you're one step ahead of me. Thank you. Um, if there are no comments, would somebody like to move to approve the January 20th meeting minutes? So moved. Marianne. So moved. Okay. And is there a second?
That was second. Yawu seconding. Okay.
Okay. Let's vote. Um, Marianne? Yes. Yawu? Yes. Denise? Abstain. Abstain. Thank you. Sophie? Yes. Kevin? I'm abstaining. Yes. Thank you. And Mariam? Yes. And me, Karen? Yes. So we unanimously approved the meeting minutes from January 20th. Um, I want to do, I think you may need to add in, you unanimously approved the January 20th meeting with two abstentions. I think. Excuse me. Thank you. Yes. Thank you for that correction with abstentions by Kevin and Denise. I think you're required to say that. You are absolutely right. Thank you. I need all of us. I need all of us to, it takes a village to remind me all the things I'm supposed to do. So I really appreciate when anybody reminds me. Don't worry about it. Thank you. Um, I want to skip down to the item we were going to, I want to do the 630 and the 640 items. Cause I want to, those are two votes and I just want to make sure that we get to those in case we lose our quorum. Cause we are a small group tonight. Um, so the item to discuss at 630, which we're pulling up to 610 right now is discussion and possible vote to co-sponsor a community reading of Frederick Douglass's What to the Slave is the 4th of July with the Wayland Library and Wayland Museum and Historical Society. Um, we're bringing this to the table now because, um, the light, the museum, uh, Scarlett from the museum is going to be writing a grant to get funding, um, to do this program again. And so that's why I'm bringing it up now, even though July seems like a long time away. Um, for those of you who were there at the last one, um, do you want to say anything about what it's, what it was like, Marianne? Um, it was very well attended, um, people really seem to enjoy it. Um, and actually I think it was a result of that strong attendance that people were interested in more conversation and we had our, um, conversations for change after. So I think it's, um, definitely something we'd like to, to, um, support again. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments, thoughts, questions? Or do they hold it? Ah, thank you. So the date that the tentative date, it's of course not July 4th because everybody would be busy on July 4th. The tentative date is June 30th. It's the Tuesday before July 4th in the evening. Um, I was talking with, uh, we mentioned some, uh, American association and, uh, may I, um, I think I'm interested to have some of, uh, some of their members participate and, uh, they are willing to do the co-sponsor. I don't know if we are looking for the co-sponsor. Would you see them? I don't know the answer to that. Um, I can put you in touch with some people who could help answer that question. It's a good question. Okay. Yeah. I think they wouldn't. If they do, do co-sponsor, then they do it too. Okay. Uh, I'm just writing myself a note and I will do it. We do actually initiate. Sorry. Is it from the museum or? It's the museum and the library. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So you will contact with them. I will do that. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Okay. Okay. Okay. Please make a move to co-sponsor with the library and the Wayland Museum and Historical Society, a July 4th. Um, well, it wouldn't be July 4th, but a read of what to the slave is the 4th of July. To move. To move. So you want to second it, Kevin? I'll second it. Okay. Kevin. Second. So Yawu moved and Kevin seconded. Um, so let us take a vote then. Marianne? Yes. Yawu? Yes. Uh, Denise? Yes. Sophie? Oh, my name is. Okay. Uh, Kevin? Yes. Okay. Uh, Kevin? Yes. Mario? Yes. And Karen? Yes. So, that's unanimous. Right, Kevin? That was everybody. Okay. Okay. Good. Um, excellent. And then the next one, cause this too was a vote, uh, that I wanted to get to for the same reason is that there's grant writing and other types of stuff involved on the part of the museum. So I wanted to get back to Scarlett as soon as possible. So this next one is discussion and possible vote to co-sponsor with the Wayland Museum and Historical Society, a display and lecture on the story of Robert H. Hawkins, who founded one of the first black golf courses in America. It's called Mappledale in Stowe, uh, Stowe, Massachusetts. And he did so after working his way up to being a club manager at Wayland's Sandy Burr Golf Club in the early 1920s. And for anyone on this call or anyone who is listening, um, there is a website called Rediscover Mappledale that tells the story of this really remarkable man. Um, and there's apparently a traveling exhibit that the museum would like to bring to Wayland, um, and have people learn about this remarkable man who was right here in Wayland and then opened this golf course in Stowe. Um, and it's, it's, it's a piece of history that most of us don't know, and it would be an opportunity to bring that piece of history to Wayland. Wayland is the website is rediscover Mappledale. It is rediscover Mappledale. Yeah. And likewise, yeah, who's, um, do you know if there's been any outreach to, um, Metco Wayland Metco? I don't think there's been any outreach to anyone yet. So what do you, what are you recommending? Well, that we, um, at least tell them that, um, this is of interest. I would think it would help their, uh, their request for grant money. If Metco signed on. Okay. Yep. Again, the WCAA, it was open for co-sponsors. Okay. I would try to, I think they will be interested. Okay. It's, uh, it's quite more educational for people from China too. Yeah, no, it's really, really interesting. When there's understanding the issue on what's the, what's the real story. That's great. Thank you. Um, we, I will, I will pass along these ideas and, um, we'll, at the next meeting we can talk about what, you know, what, what the response is. Yeah. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? I'm very excited about this. This is a wonderful and to have something, um, so positive. Um, it's very exciting. Yeah. I'm actually interested in, you know, I believe Sandy Burr is owned by the same family, the Sabati family. I mean, I know it's been owned by them in the time that I've been in town. I don't know if they owned it before, but it'd be interesting if there's any history anywhere in the facility about them. It would be. And I'm sure Scarlett is going to reach out to them as she, as this works on it. Right. Yeah. Who are you saying owned it? The Sabatis have owned it right now, but I don't know if they owned it when, um, Mr. Mapledale was here, but it'd be interesting to see if they, if they did or, or if there's any history about it at the, at Sandy Burr. Yeah. Um, okay. So if there's no further discussion, would somebody please make a motion to co-sponsor with the Wayland Museum and Historical Society, a display and lecture on the story of Robert H. Hawkins. And I guess I could say the whole thing. A display and lecture on the story of Robert H. Hawkins, who founded one of the first black golf courses in America, Mapledale in Stow after working as a club manager at Wayland Sandy Burr in the early 1920s. And all you have to do is say, so moved. You don't have to repeat that whole thing. So moved. Kevin makes a motion. Is there a second? A second. Marianne seconds. Okay. Marianne seconds. Thank you. So let's vote. And I'm going to go in a different order this time. Kevin. Yes. Mariam. Yes. Sophie. Yes. Yahoo. Yes. Marianne. Yes. And Karen. Yes. So that is unanimous. So that is unanimous. Thank you. I will let Scarlett know so she can proceed with her work on these two great projects. And then the only other thing and I'm really aiming to make this as quick a meeting as possible, because I know it's full vacation week and there's just a small group of us and I want folks to be able to get back to there. And it's Ramadan. So the only other thing is just quick updates and any discussion on these four things that are listed on the agenda. First, conversations, not confrontations. Anyone who was there who might want to talk about what that was like? Yeah, I think it's a very interesting, it's a very good place to meet the people who are interested on this type of issues, this type of. And so it looks like there's a couple of people I'd want you to maybe be interested on if you already need an icy type of work. I will keep working on that. Good. Marianne. It was snowing pretty hard right when the event was starting. And so I was very impressed that as many people showed up as were there. So I thought it was a good showing, especially in view of the weather. I thought it was very interactive. It felt very conversational, not confrontational. And so I'm excited about what the next session will be. There are three more, so I'm looking forward to them. Thank you. Yes, Jamil Adams, the facilitator leader, did a beautiful job and really engaged people. We had about 40, roughly 40 people there. And the next one is Tuesday, March 10th from 7 to 8.30 at First Parish for anybody who may be listening. And we hope more people will continue to sign up so they can find the QR code on our flyer on our website as well as our Facebook page and tell your friends and bring a friend the next time, especially if you think you know of someone who might benefit from gaining skills in moving from confrontation to conversation. So, yeah, thank you, everybody. And then the almost similar sounding program that we have queuing up next, Conversations for Change, where we're adding two more sessions. I put this on here only so that we could publicly mention the next two dates for that extension of the Conversations for Change series with Dr. Eden Renee Hayes at the library. And we have two amazing new topics, which on March 19th at the library, it'll be James Baldwin's Stranger in the Village, colon, Who Gets to Belong and Who Decides. So we'll be studying James Baldwin. And the next one will be April 30th. And the topic will be Paul Robeson testifies before the House Un-American Activities Committee when fear shapes belonging. And Paul Robeson, for those who may not know, was a brilliant, multi-talented Black singer and athlete and what else? He was an actor. He was an actor. An actor. Yeah, singer, actor, athlete. Right. He was in he he integrated Broadway in 1943. He was the first black man to play Othello in the United States. He was a two time All-American at Rutgers, one of the greatest college football players in history, graduated from Columbia Law School. This world renowned guy who was just decimated by McCarthyism. And so this is about what happens when McCarthyism and the like come to the United States. So those are two great topics, March 19th and April 30th. And we'll have publicity out for this program soon. But encourage people to to really come to those two programs. Lunar New Year. Yahoo, do you want to talk to us about how Lunar New Year was? Yeah, the New Year party was the celebration was great. I really enjoyed. I see the snowing day. There are so many people participating. And I thank you for many of you are there, too. You're there, too. And I really like the involvement from the school. And then they are performing. They learn the Chinese. And they've seen all those popular songs.
What we do we, that we use cube here. So especially to see the applications. They give tons of people to come and sing. Those are really, really great. So I think that all performances are well done. I think that the best is I, is we get the Chinese community really more engaged with the time. I think that's what I like the most. So I can start from this point to let them to evolve more. Okay. Of course, we continue with the New Year celebrations, but also I like to, to have more running cares on the, on different committees. And I'm pleased to participate on different committees as well. So also I'm very pleased that some of the time leaders were there to support this. And they are very pleased, too. So I think overall it's just great. I think so. I think so. They, I've also see that they, another thing is they generated new, new leaderships. You know, this year is done by Kao Jing. She's the first, first time to be, she's fully in charge of this event. And there's younger generations and it's really doing great. So you get a lot of new brothers doing the, to participate. So overall it's, I feel this organization become really more stable. It's a way to be able to pass on from generation to generation. So all those are, I'm really happy with that. Marianne, did you want to add anything? Yeah, I was there. It was, it was a, uh, outstanding, um, uh, performances. Um, and, uh, uh, and also the room was just filled. Uh, the auditorium was filled with, with people. So that was exciting. And I'm really, um, so happy to see such an event in our town. Um, and that it, it, that we have so many people that support it. And yes, as, uh, as Yabu always says, you know, you always could have room for more, but, um, certainly, um, it's something that's really distinctive and wonderful that happens. Yeah. I was there too. And I was completely blown away by their performances. And I, I felt like, wow, you know, you don't have to go into Boston to see really high level, beautiful performances, dance music. It was amazing. Um, and I feel like, yeah, well, if you wanted, um, you know, next year we could make even a bigger push to try to get people, um, other members of the community who aren't Chinese, um, or Asian, you know, to show up at this, at this thing. If, if, if that would be something, you know, if you want more people there, because I think white people might not realize it's for them too. You know, they might think, oh, it's only for people who are Asian. And I think if, if it was desirable, we could make a bigger push to, so that everyone knows they're welcome and that they don't have to go to Boston to see amazing performances. That's right. That's right. I have the same feeling too. Yeah. The performance is, especially the stage manager. I think it's pretty huge. Or whoever would actually manage the stage are so great. There's no kick up. The whole thing is just so small. Very small. It's professional. It's like professional. Very professional. It was very professional. And we didn't even mention how good the food is too. That's always another annual great. Yeah. Well, and the, you know, we had, you know, our Senator and one of our representatives were there and a number of principals. And, you know, it's really important to have leadership there to just show that, that the, the whole support of inclusion. And, um, Senator Eldridge, you know, said he was going to other programs, um, also celebrating the Lunar New Year. I'm just happy that Wayland was one of those lists that he, you know, could say, because he'll probably go there and say, and we were just at, I was just at the Lunar New Year event at, um, Wayland. Um, Wayland, and, and that is a good thing. Really great. Really great. Really like a highlight of the year, I think, for Wayland. Mm-hmm. So thank you. Um, I just wanted to loop back to the town building use policies, because I think I inadvertently gave incorrect information when we talked about this probably two or three meetings ago. Um, so this is just a quick fact check. Um, we had talked about concern that, you know, community groups get charged to use, um, public spaces, the new, the new, um, Council on Aging Community Center for, in particular. Um, and I went back and just discovered that when, when there's no rental fee for community groups during weekday business hours or weekday evenings. And that includes Monday through Friday evening. So there is no charge Monday through Friday day or evening. The fee schedule applies to Saturdays and Sundays, with Sundays being more expensive because custodial staff gets paid more. Um, so I just wanted to say that because I think I had said some incorrect information before. So that is, that is pretty nice that any, any weeknight, including Friday, um, community groups can use the space as long as it isn't already occupied by, by somebody else. I just wanted to pass that along. Um, and then honestly, that's it for the agenda. I told you it was a short agenda. I wanted to get through it quickly because it's a vacation week. So, um, the only other thing is any announcements and matters not reasonably anticipated in advance. Does anyone have any announcements? Just a quick question. When's the next meeting? Ah, thank you. I put you up to that, didn't I? No, not really. Okay. Next meeting is so just looking through the calendar. So the next, uh, um, conversations, not confrontations is Tuesday, March 10th. And then we meet the following week, Tuesday, March 17th. And thank you for queuing that up because we're going to meet, um, hybrid, but in person, if you can, uh, in the Council on Aging Building. So we'll have a nice, pretty room. Um, and we're going to celebrate the HRDIC's fifth anniversary with some dessert together. Um, cause, cause we were, this group was founded, um, in March of 2021. And it will be just about exactly our, our fifth anniversary. And so we want to acknowledge that with something yummy to eat. So keep your eyes open for the agenda for the next meeting. Okay. So the next meeting is March 17th for us. Yep. March 17th, um, hybrid. Yep. Okay. All right. Thanks. Marianne. Um, we are a, um, advisory board to the, um, uh, to the select board. So, um, uh, I think we should invite them, um, if, uh, to maybe make a statement or to just come for dessert or come at some point. Um, during the meeting, um, during the meeting to recognize that moment. Sounds good. I like it. Good. Cake. Or cake. Who, who could say no? Yeah. Thank you. Um, anything else, any other announcements? If not, this will be the shortest HRDIC meeting on record. And I hope that everybody has a really nice week with whatever things they might be celebrating or things they might be doing during this vacation week. Um, would somebody move to adjourn? I'll make a motion that we turn at 634. 634. Good. Is there a second? Second. Who was that? Denise. Denise. Okay. Denise seconds. Okay. Let's vote. Uh, Denise. Yes. Evan. Yes. Marion. Yes. Sophie. Yes. Thank you. Yawu. Yes. Marianne. Yes. Karen. Yes. Thank you so much, everybody. Have a great rest of your week.