BY NATALIE BRENNER | International friendships are being formed at an Otisfield camp. Seeds of Peace, now in its sixth season, brings teenagers together from several countries of the Middle East. During summer sessions, the campers participate in sports and computer and arts activities. They also attend co-existence workshops led by Americans, Arabs and Israelis.
Early this month, the Seeds of peace message was shared with reception guests at Leonard and Merie Nelson’s home in Falmouth Foreside. John Wallach, the camp’s founder and board president, described the organization as “a miracle in being.” To prove his point, he introduced a Palestinian and an Israeli who had become good friends. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots also got acquainted and learned from each other at camp.
Former Sen. George J. Mitchell, a special guest, spoke about “The Process of Peace,” an ongoing process in places like Northern Ireland and Bosnia. When he visited the latter war-torn country, a town official told him, “We will repair our structures long before we repair our souls.”
Mitchell commented to his Maine listeners, “It’s most important that we create hope; and we must look to our young people for a real and durable peace.”
Camp director Tim Wilson was an old friend to many in the crowd. His connection with Maine state agencies dates back to the Brennan administration. Wilson also has previous ties to the Seeds of Peace camp on Pleasant Lake. He was chief counselor.
Guests included Waterville Mayor Ruth Joseph and her husband, Al. Also in from Waterville were Judge Morton Brody and his wife, Judy. Nan Sawyer brought her grandson, Yonatan Melamed, visiting from Israel. Jane Smith of Manchester founded the Samantha Smith camp several years ago. The camp, named for her late daughter, had similar goals as Seeds of Peace.
Jerry Robinov was posing with guests for photographs. His son, Jeffrey, has literally “gone Hollywood.” The Warner’s executive completed “The Perfect Murder” and is now filming in Australia.
Ross Pirasteh, KTI board president, initiated financial support for Seeds of Peace. His company will sponsor two scholarships for the next five years.