2005

February - The New Cumberland Public Library hosts a series of nine programs on Korea. Riding the community interest generated in these programs, coordinator Stacy Schroeder plants the idea of forming a group focused on Korean culture and community. It is obvious that are many people hungering for connection and groups that would like to find ways to reach out to others. The name Ta-ri, meaning bridge in Korean, is suggested and quickly accepted.

Spring - Fifteen people gather for the first official meeting of Ta-ri. Most people are new to one another and have varying connections to Korea but share a common goal of wanting to celebrate Korean culture. Meetings are scheduled, mission selected, logo designed, and programs begin. A newspaper article is written about the group which garners more interest. An email list begins going out with some regularity, publicizing area events. Ta-ri receives a number of requests to visit school diversity days, retirement homes, festivals, and other activities.

Fall - A Founding Board of Directors and committee structure is established. Founding Board members are:

Kellie Argot (secretary/community relations co-chair)

Sarah Bronson (treasurer/finance chair)

Bill Hartman

Staci Lang

Stacy Schroeder (president/program and events chair)

Hyeyon Wilson (community relations co-chair)

Connie Wonder

Committees include finance, legal, community relations, and program and events. Finance and legal never take hold as committees but do receive advice from CPA Matt Schroeder and lawyer Juliet Shin. Community relations (originally called membership/publicity) receives support from Joseph Kim and Erni Peterson.

The most active committee is the Program and Events Committee. Initial members include Eleanor Hartman, Kyong Hartman, Goeun Jeon, Ginny Miller, Jin Reeves, Stacy Schroeder, Connie Wonder, and Yong Yi. The Committee focuses its efforts on two annual holiday celebrations, a picnic, and cooking classes. Ta-ri’s first cooking class is held at the home of Kyong Hartman. These classes continue every other month through early 2007, each teaching participants to make a new food. Most classes focus on Korean food, but some highlight “American” foods that cooks familiar with Korean food may want to learn.

2006

Late winter/Spring - Ta-ri hosts its first formal event, celebrating SolNal (the Korean Lunar New Year). The event takes place at the New Cumberland Public Library’s Foundation Hall, continuing the relationship forged during the library series that birthed Ta-ri. Dancer Yeon Hee Park performs. This event joins our annual calendar. Hyeyon Wilson creates our first website. Ta-ri’s list of email subscribers continues to grow, as does the variety of events advertised. The leadership structure of Ta-ri continues to be fine-tuned and readjusted.

Summer - A picnic and pool party gathers friends and families of Ta-ri at a local home. This too becomes part of the annual calendar.

Fall - Ta-ri organizes its biggest event yet—a Chusok (Korean “Thanksgiving”) Celebration at Harrisburg Area Community College. It is co-hosted by HACC’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. Participants learn to make song p'yon (traditional rice cakes), join in a quiz show, gather free materials on Korea, and watch the Durae Drumming Group perform. Print programs provide take-home resources. A local news station covers the event.

2007

Late winter - The SolNal Celebration expands to include a game day and to be more of mixer than a spectator event. The Program Committee meets for its last time before disbanding in favor of project planning groups.

March-June - The Board begins discussion on how to strengthen and expand Ta-ri leadership. Becoming non-profit would be a huge asset. Investigations begin into becoming a project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Bylaws (never formally adopted) are revisited.

Fall - Chusok Celebration now includes a popular food booth, book and toy sales table, and a reader’s theater. The Board votes upon revised bylaws and other documents, appointing Stacy Schroeder as executive director. Kellie Argot is recruited to update the website and design other materials as needed. Calls to potential 2008 Board members begin.

2008

Late winter- Ta-ri officially becomes a project of fiscal sponsor The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. The new Board meets, officers are elected, and a new “buzz” begins to grow. SolNal Celebration includes many first-timers.

Spring - Revised website is launched, full of helpful resources in an attractive, functional format.

Fall – The Advisory Council meets for the first time and out of a spirited discussion, future program expansion and publicity efforts begin to take root. Various community groups increase their support of our Chusok Celebration: HACC deepens its relationship as co-sponsor, Korean-American Wives’ Club members agree to serve food as their fall fundraiser, and Do-Re Sound Drumming group provides more songs and activities as well. A growing collection of hanboks are also displayed and used as part of the event.

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updated April 2010