Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 35th annual Holiday Celebration

I frequently get last minute assignments to cover events, I charge my gear, pack my bags and get to where I need to be with little knowledge of what exactly I am covering and who will be there. Once I am on location things fall into place and I get busy. Tonight at the MLK dinner in Portland was different though... the crowd was much different then I am used to, it was truly a melting pot and every one from our community was represented, from babies to local leaders to one of our US senators and everyone in between. It was incredible to see such a mix of community members together and to feel the positive energy that was carried by all in attendance. There were incredible speeches that were made and written to make us think and act... There is a lot of negative energy in our world right now but tonight was about peace and looking beyond our own self interests to be better individually and as a community. It is rare when work is not work but an opportunity to be amongst others who share a similar dream.  Pictured here is Maine Senator Angus King with University of New England President Dr. Danielle Ripich photographed at the Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland, Maine.