Dream Team
Featured here is the Dream Team – the behind the scenes talent that recruits, trains, schemes and implements the most creative festival in the city. These veterans and current leaders are dedicated to raising the bar year after year. We are deeply grateful for their contributions of style, skill and humor.
Susan Sassmann
Head Faerie
Susan has always had a flair for communal gatherings paired with creative presentation. The Solstice has allowed her to build a tribe of like-minded people who share their talents and celebrate life on a regular basis. She knows how to surround herself with people who can “make it happen.” Her life journey moves through a timid childhood to a rebellious college student, a strident feminist, a serial entrepreneur, devoted wife & mother — and landing in the world of the Faerie Goddesses. Susan is passionate about living her life out loud, spreading joy and building a better world. Words to live by — “If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space.” & “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Ghandi
Ling Sue Withers
Vendor Faerie & Hand of the Head Faerie
A great fan of festivals of all types, Ling Sue was drawn as an attendee to the Summer Solstice Festival for many years before joining the team. Using imagination and resourcefulness to create and share celebrations is her passion. Community-minded & fun-loving, years of planning private parties, community events & festivals has only fueled her love for organizing. She enjoys working behind the scenes with vendors, artists & performers. She looks forward to a fantastic celebration of the Summer Solstice Festival. “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” Roald Dahl
Kris Ferris
Captain of All Talent
Kris Ferris is a veteran singer/song writer with a career that has spanned over 40 years in many states throughout the southeastern US and continues today in notable venues in and around the Greensboro area. His love of music and spirit of giving back to the community led him to become part of the Solstice “family,” providing sound equipment and technician services not long after its inception. He sums his involvement this way… “I am proud to be connected with the Summer Solstice celebration and honored to work side-by-side with so many talented and dedicated people, from the artists and volunteers to the production committee. What’s not to like about being part of the best party in town?”
Jim Sassmann
Master Wizard of Faerie Logistics
Married to the Head Faerie for over 40 years, Jim had no option but to join the ranks of the Solstice organizers. His attention to detail and his high level of integrity is often called upon for guidance. Jim loves to negotiate, plan and execute well laid plans and goes to great lengths to ensure that the Solstice logistics comes off smoothly year after year. His technology background and business savvy has helped move the event to new levels of success. When Jim is not pouring over Solstice details, he is on the golf course, in the pool hall, or doing projects around the homestead. He is the Wingman for the Head Faerie and the Go-To guy for everything that does not glitter.
Lynn Witherspoon
Wayfinding Woodspryte
Greensboro native Lynn Witherspoon has attended Summer Solstice since year 1, and began volunteering for setup and clean up in 2015. She is currently (literally) updating the Solstice website, and is in charge of sign installation for this magical event. If you can’t find your way around the festival – you now know who to blame! Lynn is Director of Operations for the NC Folk Festival, Logistics Coordinator for Greensboro Bound Literary Festival, and volunteers her time to Piedmont Blues Preservation Society event operations planning. She considers herself very fortunate to work with all of the extraordinarily talented people who make these beloved local festivals happen.
Drea Parker
Faerie World Engineer
Drea has been a participant of the Solstice for the last 10 years, either as a newbie fairy-in awe of such splendor, and all the glitter, or as a parking assistant-extraordinaire, or even as a vendor, offering reiki, integrative reflexology (cold foot rubs on an otherwise hot day). But mostly, she has been an enthralled advocate of the Summer Solstice since the first day she stepped foot on the magickal grounds of the Greensboro Arboretum. She works for Shepherd’s Center of Winston-Salem for her day job, and moonlights as Chair of Interfaith Winston-Salem during the times of dewy-mist. This year, she will weave our dream world into reality the day of the festival. 🙂 “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” ~ Buddha
Stuart Stanley
Captain of Stage Lindley
Stuart Stanley is a local musician, Thespian who is proud to be a part of Summer solstice for another great year! Stuart has both performed and stage managed for several years now. Stuart lives in Morrisville NC with his beautiful wife Bonnie and works full time as an Apartment maintenance supervisor and also does handyman work on the side.
Sandy Blocker
Drum Circle Leader
Sandy Blocker is the University Accompanist at Elon University who plays world percussion instruments for modern, ballet and African dance classes. His professional training in ballet when he was younger makes him very in tune, and an ideal accompanist for the dance students and professors within the dance department.
Kathy Rooney
Faerie Major of Parasol Parade
Major Sponsor, African Dancer, Trash Czar, Drum Coordinator, tuna salad maker — Kathy Rooney is one of those New Orleans gals who knows how to throw and enjoy a great party. She created and has managed her business, Rolfing® Associates of the Triad, for over 25 years and continues to throw herself into her passions. We are fortunate to have Kathy in our corner — multi-talented, fearless and super capable.
Debbi Kennerson
Faerie Central Queen
Debbi is a new member of the Dream Team after attending and volunteering for the Summer Solstice for many years, including on the same day her oldest son got married in 2018! Debbi enjoys supporting local events, music and business in whatever way she can! During the work week Debbi is a master’s level psychologist who works with an early intervention program. Debbi loves the relaxed, accepting atmosphere of the Summer Solstice and is excited to bring new volunteers to the event and be part of the team at Faerie Central (aka Faerie HQ)!
Maria Harkins
Founding Faerie
One of the “Founding Faeries” who helped build the foundation of the Solstice Celebration. Since 2005, she has worked all over the board, behind the scenes and in front of the crowd — decorating, organizing and managing the plethora of details that come flying at Faerie Central. This faerie goddess has always been loyal to the cause and continues to bring beauty and magic to the Solstice.
Kenny Shulman
Grand Dame
She has the financial smarts, strong work ethic and the class to hold the title of Grand Dame. In the early years, Kenny worked hard behind the scenes to bring organization to the festival, handling copious numbers of vendors & details , streamlining processes & staying on top of the loosely constructed Solstice plan. It is because of people like Kenny that chaos became more orderly and reason was brought to bear. She would not refer to herself as a Faerie Goddess. And that’s because she is the one and only Grand Dame.
Mary Coyne Wessling
MC Faerie
Mary Coyne Wessling loves a good party. Summer Solstice is right up her alley for celebration with great music, good eats and plenty of friendly people. Mary Coyne has attended Summer Solstice in Greensboro in past years and found it an extraordinary experience that delighted her senses! Although she has no musical talent of which to brag, Mary Coyne is an aficionado of all types of music. She believes music and art are necessary elements of a good life and a healthy community. She may not know how to dance, sing, or play a fiddle, but ask her to tout the talents of others as an emcee, and she’s more than happy to engage her Irish wit and humor to rev a crowd up.
Debra Stephens
Goddess of First Impressions
Debra Stephens has been a part of the Dream Team since 2012. Her vast
experience working with the public, solving problems, and organizing details
is a perfect fit to bring order to the chaos of the day. Known as the
“Goddess of First Impressions,” Debra brings her bright smile and warm heart
to our faerie festival. You can find her at Headquarters by the bridge.