“One Maine – One Heart” Event Unites Community at Congress Square Park

Posted on by
Share

Joshua Hughes, Organizer of the “One Maine – One Heart” Event Earlier Today.

Some of the Attendees Listening to the Delightful Sounds of John Graves and Friends, a Band from Philadelphia,.  Joshua Hughes Hired Them for the Occasion.

Portland Police Chief Frank T. Clark who Participated in “One Maine – One Heart” This Afternoon.  He and Others Served Hot Dogs to the Homeless and Others Who Frequent Congress Square Park, Provided Through the Generousity of Joshua Hughes.

“I’m tired of a fragmented society.  I want to encourage civil dialogue and see less arguing,” said Joshua Hughes, 38, the organizer of a BBQ and concert earlier this evening at Congress Square Park, in the Arts District of Portland.

The event was designed to bring some of the homeless and others who frequent the Park and Police Department Officials onto common ground to foster better relationships than have existed in past years under a previous Chief.

The man behind the BBQ and concert idea and financed the $5,000. event is a self-taught song writer and playwright who hails from Philadelphia. Now a ten-year resident of Portland, he has already had one of his plays staged at PORTLAND STAGE THE THEATER OF MAINE.  “Broken Chairs” ran there for one weekend and received excellent reviews.  The play tells the story of corruption in a police department.  In the future, he plans to pitch his latest creation – “Chasing After You” – a Gospel musical play – to a theater in Philadelphia his hometown.

Part of the outlay of funds was to bring a band who are friends of his from Philadelphia to Congress Square Park; John Graves and Friends. The crowd was duly entertained by their sophisticated music.

“I want to make a positive impact on the world,” said Joshua just before the event started.  I hope people will walk away from Congress Square Park feeling better than they did before they arrived here.  We focus on division and loose sight of what really matters.”

“Josh is a creative, talented force to be watched,” said Kate Cauley, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware who attended in support of him.