The Jaffrey Civic Center will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, with bell-ringing ceremony starting at 4:45 and program 5-6 p.m. at the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main St., followed by a reception at the Civic Center, 40 Main St. The event brings people together to remember the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to renew the values he stood for. Courage being a salient feature of Dr. King’s life, the theme for this year’s event and related student contests and activities is “What Is Courage?”
This year’s event is dedicated to Bill Perry, Jr., recently deceased, a Peterborough resident and founding member of the MLK Committee who was active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s and was acquainted with Dr. King. New Hampshire Poet Laureate Alice Fogel will deliver the keynote address.
Winners of the MLK High School Student Poetry Contest and Middle School Poster Contest will be announced and prizes awarded. Poetry Contest winners will present their poems, including a dramatic poetry performance. Jaffrey and Rindge Grade School choirs will provide music.
The reception will include refreshments.