By: Joyce Rothermel

In the fall of 2018, the “Dinners with _____” (special honored guests) began to raise funds and create opportunities for Merton Center members and friends to gather over a delicious gourmet vegetarian meal at the home of Howard and Christine Aikens-Wolfe. Participants gave donations of $75 to the Merton Center and its work; others provide scholarships to the dinners so more can participate. 

We have enjoyed the company of many honored guests since that time: retired labor leader Rosemary Trump, movement lawyer Jules Lobel, newspaper columnist Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, political cartoonist Rob Rogers, actor Wali Jamal, PA Rep. Summer Lee, TMC co-founder Molly Rush, Television host Chris Moore, and Parks Conservancy CEO Jayne Miller. 

In February the dinners will continue. TMC supporters will enjoy “Dinner with historian Marcus Rediker” on Feb. 4 and on March 10 with Media Figure Lynn Cullen. If you are interested in participating in future dinners or would like to provide scholarships for others to attend and would like to be put on the invitation list or have ideas for honored guests, please contact the Merton Center. 

Joyce Rothermel is one of the “Dinners with _____” organizers. To learn more about upcoming Dinners, contact Jan McMannis at 412-886-7733. 

NewPeople Newspaper VOL. 50 No. 1. February, 2020. All rights reserved.