OBAMA EVENTS ALREADY ROLLING IN CENTRAL PA "From Civil War to Civil Rights, we're planning a celebration of Change," organizer says. "There will be a large and very exciting event on April 12 at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA, and a second gala event soon to be announced in the Hershey area." (photo:http://images.eonline.com/) (Harrisburg, Pa.) - As the Democratic presidential campaigns move into the most important battle ground state for next month's primary, The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Barack Obama, a citizens volunteer group, is planning several events in the mid-state to allow Central PA citizens to express their support for Senator Barack Obama, according to the group's fund raising committee chairperson. "Pennsylvania is now the key battleground state," Attorney Lenora M. Smith, Esq., (lms53@earthlink.net) said in Harrisburg today, "and the Democrats have two very strong candidates in the running in this historic election." Ms. Smith chairs a committee of Sen. Obama grass root supporters in the mid-state who are busily organizing events in support of the Senator. "We're looking at two fund raising venues right now to support Sen. Obama," She said. "There will be a large and very exciting event on April 12 at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, and a second gala event soon to be announced in the Hershey area." The committee's Hershey organizer Sheila Dow Ford (sed_ford@comcast.net) said that venues were being considered there now. "We're looking at the Hotel Hershey and other venues for a major event to be announced very soon." Ms. Dow Ford said. Ms. Smith said the Harrisburg venue was selected with history in mind. "On April 12, 1861, the first shot of the civil war was fired at Ft. Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. And we think it's historically appropriate to celebrate the candidacy of America's first African American presidential candidate on that date in America's only National Civil War Museum, right here in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. From Civil War to Civil Rights -- a time of change, is our theme." She added. The group anticipates at least one thousand guests to attend an evening of Jazz, wine and hors dors at the museum, complete with personal tours, Jazz in the rotunda, and a array of guest speakers. "We've added the event to the Obama national campaign schedule and we're hopeful the Senator or Mrs. Obama will find time in their busy schedules to drop by for a visit with their friends in Central Pennsylvania." Ms. Smith said. There are plans for a day-long "Celebration of Change" in the park, including a "Bands in support of Obama" concert series and other events. "We're in the planning stage right now, and the excitement from across the mid state has been extraordinary," Smith added. Members of The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Barack Obama include: Rev. Martin D. Odom Pastor Bethel Village AME Church; Susan Wilson, Harrisburg City Councilwoman; Ms. Sheila Dow Ford; Ms. Charlene Glass-Williams; Ms. Loretta Barbee-Dare; Ms.Beth Beene, RN; Mr Henry C. Adams; Sensei Anthony Stultz; Cassey Moyer; and Melanie Gaskins. For more information about The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Barack Obama, or upcoming events in the mid-state, contact:Attorney Lenora M. Smith, Esq. (lms53@earthlink.net) 717-234-1688, or Ms. Sheila Dow Ford (sed_ford@comcast.net) 717-919-1853. ###