Dennis, 35, said he likes what the center stands for - working toward a world that is socially just, nonviolent and environmentally sustainable.
On Sunday, Dennis planned to tour the center's new library, and instead ended up spending an afternoon with like-minded strangers learning the art of origami.
Sitting around a crowded table, Dennis said the unexpected afternoon gave him the luxury of relaxing and the rare chance to quietly consider the holiday season.
The economy, global warming and other stressors of this world in this time disappeared at the table of crane makers.
“Since the elections I am a lot more hopeful,” Dennis said as he folded a shimmering piece of paper into a lovely golden bird. “I'm a lot more hopeful than I have been in the last 10 years.”
“I definitely feel at peace,” he said. “And this is a great way to celebrate.”
Cranes, specifically origami cranes, have become an international symbol of peace thanks to a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki, said Betsy Mulligan-Dague, the Rankin Center's executive director.
Sasaki was a victim of radiation released by the atom bomb that fell on Hiroshima in 1945. As her now-famous story goes, she tried to fold a thousand cranes in the age-old belief that she would recover from her illness if she could accomplish the task. Although Sasaki was only able to make 644 cranes before she died, she inspired millions of children to send paper cranes to Hiroshima in the name of peace.
“It's something I've never learned before, but now that I know how, it's something I'll probably continue to do,” said Ashley Barber, a University of Montana student.
Because the Sunday event was so successful, Mulligan-Dague said the center may offer the class again.
“With all the meaning behind the story of the crane, making them at this time of year is a great thing to do,” she said. “And they make great inexpensive gifts.”
The center staff makes origami birds to give away to customers who come into the fair trade shop on Higgins Avenue, and fancier ones adorned with gems, beads and stones can be purchased.
“Any time people are interested in making these cranes, they can stop by and we'll teach them,” Mulligan-Dague said. “We are always happy to show them how.”
The more symbols of peace in the world, she said, the better off we all are.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)
oatman wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:15 PM:
" While I respect individual's right to choose a smoke vs. smokeless establishmnet, in this case there are externalities in the form of huge health care costs. A large proportion of the costs to treat smoke induced illness is paid with public dollars, which others have to pay. If an individual paid for their own health costs, then it would be different. "
givcreditto wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:44 AM: