Celebrating cultures
Brookmere subdivision comes together for International Flavors Dinner
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From left, Marion Seaton, Edna Thompson and Rick Thompson - Photos by Tammy Cheek
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Joseph Shokooh, left, and Hector Gonzalez - Photos by Tammy Cheek
Residents of Brookmere subdivision recently celebrated their cultural heritage with a 5th Annual Brookmere International Flavors Dinner at the subdivision’s pool.
Rain did not dampen the spirits of the residents who attended. While children enjoyed games, adults brought dishes that represented their cultures, from chicken and dumplings to lumpia.
The community of 142 homes came into being on May 24, 2020, when the first residents, Helen & Ernie Bean, closed on their home, resident/event organizer Marion Seaton said.
“Since then, we have grown into something very special … a place where neighbors know and care for one another,” he added. “Many of us may have lived in places where we knew a small handful of neighbors. Not the case in Brookmere.
“Events, such as the 4th Annual Brookmere International Flavors Dinner, have brought people together around food, fellowship and general desire to be part of something,” Seaton said. “Many community events, ranging from in-home dinners and Bible studies to monthly luncheons, have helped to catalyze friendship and connection, but most of all, a sense of community.
“Community networking is facilitated through the use of GroupMe, an app that enables sharing of ideas and information,” he said. “Affinity groups within the app have been formed.
“Neighbors help one other by interacting in these spaces; but most importantly, the app enables face-to-face connection,” Seaton said. “A favorite group is ‘4-legged Pals,’ a place to share in our common love of pets.
“The International Flavors Dinners celebrates the rich cultural diversity of our community,” he said. “Twenty-one countries are claimed as the ancestral home for our families. The Sunday’s event featured dishes from Portugal, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Colombia, Israel, India, Mexico, Korea, Germany, Italy, China, Poland, Pakistan, Germany and The Philippines and, of course, the host nation … the United States.”
