You are invited to join your neighbors at Pleasant Valley Commons in Bethel on September 19 for a special evening of connection through the sharing of food, stories, and recipes. Bring a dish (with a story!) to share, an open mind and an open heart. During the dinner we'll share stories around the table. After dessert, you’ll be treated to live storytelling performances from a lineup of pre-selected storytellers — some may even be your neighbors!

“Shared Tables, Shared Stories” invites people to convene in meaningful, place-based conversations about the past, present, and future of this place that we now call Maine. As the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there will be many ways to reflect on our shared history. Some will be large and ceremonial. Others, like this, will be quieter. A table. A meal. A conversation that begins with something as simple as passing a dish and asking, “Where are you from?” or “What should we remember?” And from there, something begins. More information about the Shared Tables, Shared Stories project can be found here.

This free event is organized and presented by:

Pleasant Valley Commons, Community Plate, Maine Arts Commission, Maine Humanities, and the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.