OVERCOMING DIVISIVENESS WITH DINNER HOW ‘DINNER AND A FIGHT’ UNITES US
After half an hour, a moderator will lead everyone to a seating area with five chairs in the center. These five chairs are labeled “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Then, a moderator will introduce the hot topic and let volunteers fill the five chairs. Each will then explain their opinion and perspective, then the rest of the group has a chance to participate. Finally, after 50 minutes of discussion, everyone will return to their original table, where they can enjoy dessert and further discuss the topic with their four new friends. By the end of the night, you will have heard various viewpoints from different political backgrounds in a welcoming, non-hostile environment. After the organizer Ted Wetzel personally encountered a fight-fueled dinner, he created Dinner and a Fight to help change how we discuss politics. Now, there are plenty of Dinner and a Fight events across Ohio to help build connections once lost due to heated political debates. To learn more about Dinner and a Fight, check out Fighting-to-Understand.us/intro-to‑daafd/ .
Deep inside a Greek Orthodox church in Akron, Ohio, locals gather specifically to disagree with each other! The event is called Dinner and a Fight, and it was created to help heal some of the divisiveness in our communities caused by politics. Many people have alienated themselves from those they disagree with instead of trying to understand them. That’s why Dinner and a Fight brings strangers together to eat dinner and hear different perspectives with an open mind. At Dinner and a Fight (“Fight” is actually scratched out and altered to “Dialogue”), guests don’t spend the evening trying to persuade each other — that’s
not the intent — but instead to understand others’ opinions and essentially agree to disagree. There are no off-limits topics, but Dinner and a Fight has three rules for participants: 1. A desire to love and understand your country 2. A desire to love and understand your neighbor 3. A desire to show up with your whole self (just don’t be offensive) The rest of the meal is open for any peaceful discussion. The night begins with a buffet-style dinner at which you’ll be seated at a table with four strangers (aided by fun ice-breakers on the table).
SUDOKU
MUNCHIES WITH MOLLY
TASTY SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com
INGREDIENTS •
8 oz spinach leaves
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1/2 tsp salt
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
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1 tsp minced garlic
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DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, ring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 2. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 3. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 4. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 5. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
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