A Note From Katherine

The support Marry Durham is receiving from the community is amazing and humbling.  The generous support demonstrates the value Durham places on a good idea.  Like any entrepreneurial venture at some point  the idea or product has to be validated by the market -in the case of Marry Durham- the cornerstones of our community.  We invite people to give in a way that is meaningful to them and Durham is responding accordingly.  The giving comes in many forms, kind words, encouragement, volunteer hours, talent, financial support and in-kind gifts...

When we started this project we did not know what type of support we would receive.  We were willing to assume some risk and each of us thought about what the risks would be.  We had no money other than what a few of us were able to put into it.  We believed in the idea enough to risk failure or put differently to rethink success.  We lived here long enough to know the community would allow us to learn from failure.

The largest asset was our pooled social capital.  We used social capital and creativity as our greatest resources and moved forward.

The non-profits who did not know us were willing to put their trust in us.  We honor their trust.  The entire community is placing their trust in us.  We honor your trust.  We are building new relationships.  We are meeting talented and generous people.

The results have been a great illustration of the power of relationships.  The project also is a testament to the strength and potential of our community.

We look forward to connecting on our wedding day.

With an open heart,
Katherine O'Brien--writing without the approval of the Marry Durham Team

Celebrate Your Engagement--March 9th

REV-elution: Durham: The City that Moves Like Jazz

REV-elution: Durham: The City that Moves Like Jazz

Marry Durham Proposal

I’d like to tell you about very special wedding. You may be wondering what Marry Durham is all about. Well, it all came to be when some adoring Durham citizens were eating Only Burgers at one of Durham’s amazing food truck rallies last spring. One of them said, “You know, sometimes I love Durham so much, I wish I could marry it!”.
Well, they loved this idea, and they knew others would too, so they decided to make an event out of it so that everyone who loved Durham as much as they did could actually get married to the city on Saturday, March 19. All are invited! The ceremony starts at 4 PM, and the location is Rigsbee St. from Corporation to Geer.
The wedding vows – which include commitments to protecting natural resources, supporting the arts, shopping locally, cherishing diversity and electing responsible leaders– will help get Durham citizens even more engaged in the Bull City community.
We hope each of you will go to MarryDurham.com to sign up to marry the city or come as a guest. You will find a wedding package for everyone - from a shotgun wedding to Beyonce’s put-a-ring-on-it wedding! Signing up will help Marry Durham meet our $12,000 fundraising goal. All proceeds from the event make up the “wedding dowry”, which will be given to five wonderful Durham non-profit organizations!
After the wedding, join us in a parade and reception block party. The performance lineup includes Grammy-award winning Justin Robinson with the Mary Annettes, and many other amazing local artists. The website again is marrydurham.com.
As presented by Crystal Dreisbach

Love Poem and Proposal to the People of Durham

Shall I compare thee to one of my summer’s days?
Thou art hotter but less humid:
Rough winds do come with hurricane season.
And my winters bring many school closings:
Sometime too high the balls of the Bulls fly,
And often are the green trees giving shade,
And every farmer comes to the market.
In Spring, you stroll my historic district:
But my Bimbe and ArtWalk shall not fade,
Nor my parks and gardens that you so love.
Nor shall film and music festivals pass,
When in eternal lines you seem to wait.
So long as my Durhamites can see my beauty
So long lives this, our love for each other.

Let us be wed and be as one March 19.
Durham

Ref: Independent Weekly 2.9.11 p26

Governor Bev Perdue Sends Her Regrets

The Govenor wants Durham to have a good time without her.

Ms. O’Brien,

Thank you for inviting Governor Perdue to the Marry Durham event on March 19, 2011. Unfortunately, Governor Perdue will be unable to attend and asked that I send her regrets.

Thank you for extending the opportunity to Governor Perdue and best wishes for a successful event.

Lisa Nelms
Assistant Scheduler for Governor Bev Perdue
State Capitol
1 East Edenton Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-715-2306

Mailing Address:
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301