Garberville Rotary to Install Peace Pole at Garberville Town Square
Community Dedication Ceremony Set for September 21, 2025, the International Day of Peace
Garberville, CA — The Garberville Rotary Club, in collaboration with the Garberville Town Square Board, is honored to announce the installation of a Peace Pole in the center of Garberville Town Square. The unveiling will take place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., coinciding with the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Community members and visitors are warmly invited to arrive at 4:30 p.m. for a pre-ceremony gathering, which will feature live music by The Cronies — Jessie, Jeanne, and Nella. Their program of instrumentals and peace-themed songs
will set the tone for the dedication, and following the ceremony they will lead everyone in a unifying community sing- along of John Lennon’s Imagine.
The dedication ceremony will include remarks from several community leaders and representatives:
Karyn Lee-Thomas – Sharing the history and meaning of Peace Poles worldwide
Darrin Guerra, President of Garberville Rotary Club
Robie Tenorio, Board Chair Garberville Town Square
Eel River Wailaki
A Symbol of Community & Global Peace
Peace Poles are internationally recognized monuments that bear the inscription “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages. Since the first pole was planted in Japan in 1955, more than 200,000 Peace Poles have been
installed in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Each serves as a silent yet powerful reminder that peace is possible — and that communities everywhere share in the responsibility of fostering understanding, empathy, and respect.
“A primary vision of founding and developing the Garberville Town Square has been to promote peace by having a shared community space,” said Robie Tenorio. “Nothing aids the peacefulness of a diverse and opinionated community more than a lovely, calm place open to all, where residents and visitors can gather, relax, party, and discuss. The Peace
Pole is a symbol of such coming together both local and international. You are always welcome here to meet your neighbors and exchange food and ideas.”
Rotary’s Commitment to Peace
For Rotary International, peace is not just an abstract idea — it is one of the organization’s seven Areas of Focus and a guiding principle for action. Clubs around the world sponsor Peace Pole projects as living monuments to peace and fellowship.
“Every peace pole planted is a beacon of Rotary’s enduring belief: that peace is not just a dream, but a shared effort,” said Darrin Guerra, President of Garberville Rotary Club. “It reminds us that even small symbols can inspire great change when rooted in service, empathy, and global fellowship. By planting these markers of hope, Rotary advances its
mission of service above self, promoting peace, cultural awareness, and global collaboration.”
The Garberville Rotary Club has been actively involved in service projects across Southern Humboldt, from supporting
local youth programs to enhancing public spaces. The installation of this Peace Pole reflects both Rotary’s global mission
and the club’s local commitment to fostering a stronger, more connected community.
Event Details
What: Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony
When: Sunday, September 21, 2025
o 4:30 p.m. – Community Gathering & Live Music by The Cronies
o 5:00 p.m. – Peace Pole Unveiling & Ceremony
Where: Garberville Town Square, Garberville, California
Who: Hosted by Garberville Rotary Club and Garberville Town Square Board
This free public event is open to all. Community members, visitors, and fellow Rotarians are invited to join together in celebration of peace, fellowship, and service. The Garberville Rotary Club and Town Square Board look forward to
welcoming everyone for this special occasion — a moment to reflect, to unite, and to imagine a more peaceful world.
Media Contacts:
Darrin Guerra, President Garberville Rotary Club – DGuerra@shchd.org
Robie Tenorio, Board Chair Garberville Town Square – robieinthegarden@gmail.com
