by Christina Papakirk:
Middfest International awarded three Middfest International Recognition Awards (MIRA) at its annual recognition dinner on November 14, 2008 at the Miriam Knoll Community Room at Miami University Middletown. Recipients of the award are chosen annually based upon their effort, dedication and effectiveness as volunteers to annual Middfest celebrations.
The 2008 MIRA recipients are Beverly Howard, Debbie Cover, and William and Mary Ann Krumm.
Beverly Howard was recognized for her years of service as Middfest's liaison with area school systems and extensive assistance with the orientation and coordination of docent volunteers throughout the Middfest weekend. She was also lauded for her efforts in organizing the decoration of displays and exhibits with potted mums and their subsequent sale to patrons at the Middfest Finale.
Debbie Cover was honored for she and her husband's contribution over the past decade to the hosting of visiting Middfest guests. She has served on the Housing and Hosting Committees, which are responsible for the logistics of transporting, feeding, housing and weekday scheduling of guests. Cover's efforts resulted in the successful accommodation of 116 guests, performers, artists and experts for the 2008 Middfest celebration of Mongolia.
Bill and Mary Ann Krumm's extensive contributions as the Co-Chairs of the Exhibits Committee were also recognized. They, along with their extended family, annually create the murals and artwork used throughout Middfest weekend. This year's Mongolian celebration featured the Krumm family's painted dinosaur images in Youth Park and the traditional offering scarves given to visitors at each Exhibit.
About: Middfest International is a premiere cultural event with dance, music and food from many countries throughout the world. Held annually in Middletown, Ohio, USA, Middfest has celebrated a different country each year since 1981 and featured Mongolia in 2008 from October 3-5. For more information contact Middfest Executive Director Virginia Ritan at 513-425-7707 or email to middfest@siscom.net.
For information on past Middfest feature countries visit www.middfestinternational.org
