Steve Collins is out of town tonight, so don't bother looking at the Bristol Blog for awhile, not that you would, unless you like that kind of thing, I guess.
Anyway, Steve has been invited to speak to a Rotary Club about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s history of picking tobacco in Connecticut as a teenager. I heard his speech yesterday -- he gave me a sneak preview. I'd say those Rotarians picked the right man. It's interesting, as Steve so often is, when he's not blogging.
I hope he gets something good to eat.
Showing posts with label Martin Luther King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martin Luther King. Show all posts
Monday, January 18, 2010
Applause, applause for high school singers
One nice thing about a blog is that I can inject a little of my own point of view. It's not something I'm used to doing, since outside of the occasional review, I almost always write news stories.
But I am going to have a few things to say now and then.
Something I want to do today is to give a big round of applause to the madrigal singers of both Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central High School for their gorgeous a capella performances Monday.
The kids got up early on their day off school to sing at the NAACP breakfast to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Getting somewhere at 8 a.m. on a day when school isn't in session is no small feat for a teenager. First of all, they get props just for getting up and to school at the appointed hour.
But if you were there and sitting close enough to hear, you'll know that these kids sounded really great. Their voices blended beautifully and the soloists did their school proud.
It was definitely a highlight of the program.
The NAACP choir had a lot of guts to follow those kids but they did all right, too, helped out by a couple of guitars and some drums.
My only gripe was that no one thought to get a microphone in front of these kids. I was sitting close to where they stood, so I could hear them just fine, but I wonder how frustrated the people in the back had to be because they probably couldn't hear at all.
But I am going to have a few things to say now and then.
Something I want to do today is to give a big round of applause to the madrigal singers of both Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central High School for their gorgeous a capella performances Monday.
The kids got up early on their day off school to sing at the NAACP breakfast to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Getting somewhere at 8 a.m. on a day when school isn't in session is no small feat for a teenager. First of all, they get props just for getting up and to school at the appointed hour.
But if you were there and sitting close enough to hear, you'll know that these kids sounded really great. Their voices blended beautifully and the soloists did their school proud.
It was definitely a highlight of the program.
The NAACP choir had a lot of guts to follow those kids but they did all right, too, helped out by a couple of guitars and some drums.
My only gripe was that no one thought to get a microphone in front of these kids. I was sitting close to where they stood, so I could hear them just fine, but I wonder how frustrated the people in the back had to be because they probably couldn't hear at all.
NAACP breakfast honors King
I wrote this for Tuesday's edition of The Bristol Press (http://www.bristolpress.com/.):
BRISTOL – About 260 people turned out early Monday to pay tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The greater Bristol branch of the NAACP hosted the breakfast with the theme “A Community Working Together” at Bristol Eastern High School.
Lexie Mangum, president of the local branch, recognized a host of businesses and organizations and made sure community leaders, including the mayor, fire chief, police chief and a school board member all had a chance to speak.
“This is our town. We pay taxes here. We live here,” said Mangum, who said he wanted the breakfast to be a chance for residents to get to know some of the city officials. “Let us get involved in any way we can to make our town better.”
The morning wasn’t without music. Madrigal singers from Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central High School performed, and the Bristol NAACP Choir also favored the crowd in its first performance anywhere.
“I would say your debut was a resounding success,” said Doris Arrington, dean of students at Capital Community College, who was the keynote speaker.
With his ideals of democracy, freedom and equality for all, Arrington said, King had a “global vision in which all people would share in the wealth of the earth.”
But African Americans and Latinos struggle with double the unemployment numbers of whites, said Arrington, less health insurance, more new cases of AIDS as well as underfunded schools that turn out fewer students who are college bound.
About 25 percent of Hartford high school students, she said, attend higher education, compared to 80 percent of their suburban counterparts.
King’s vision can only be achieved, Arrington said, by a community that still has faith in its fellow human beings.
“There is still much work to be done, as all Americans have not achieved equality,” said Arrington exhorting her listeners to get involved in their community. “The time is now. We are the ones that we have been waiting for. It is up to us. What we do today or what we don’t do today will be our legacy.”
Patricia Bentley, a breakfast organizer, welcomed the crowd and said she was happy to see so many community officials at the event.
“This is actually a great turnout,” said Bentley.
Mayor Art Ward said it was the largest turnout he’d ever seen in Bristol on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and credited Mangum and others for “bringing the NAACP back into a viable organization within the community.”
Ward said he hopes that with the growth of the local NAACP, dialog between the group and the city will improve.
Ward invited those in the audience to get involved in civic work.
“We have many, many boards and commissions that need you, and we want you to be part of our community,” Ward said.
Emcee Ray Ortiz talked about competing and winning as the 2009 Connecticut Youth of the Year for the Bristol Boys and Girls Club.
“It was hard,” said Ortiz. But he said when he went on to represent the state in the national contest, he experienced a lot of “firsts” in his life, including riding on a train, visiting Times Square and eating at the Olive Garden.
Mangum said the local NAACP branch has more than 100 adult members and almost 40 youth and encouraged non-members to join.
“The NAACP is not and never has been a black organization,” said Mangum. “If you are a resident of Bristol or surrounding town, you can join the NAACP.”
The group’s next meeting, Mangum said, will be Saturday at the Bristol Public Library. The executive board meets at noon and the general membership at 12:30 p.m., he said. Only members are allowed at the meeting, Mangum said, but anyone who wants to join can arrive a few minutes before noon to register.
Dues are $10 for members 16 and under, $15 for members 17-21 and $30 for adults age 21 or older.
The greater Bristol branch of the NAACP hosted the breakfast with the theme “A Community Working Together” at Bristol Eastern High School.
Lexie Mangum, president of the local branch, recognized a host of businesses and organizations and made sure community leaders, including the mayor, fire chief, police chief and a school board member all had a chance to speak.
“This is our town. We pay taxes here. We live here,” said Mangum, who said he wanted the breakfast to be a chance for residents to get to know some of the city officials. “Let us get involved in any way we can to make our town better.”
The morning wasn’t without music. Madrigal singers from Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central High School performed, and the Bristol NAACP Choir also favored the crowd in its first performance anywhere.
“I would say your debut was a resounding success,” said Doris Arrington, dean of students at Capital Community College, who was the keynote speaker.
With his ideals of democracy, freedom and equality for all, Arrington said, King had a “global vision in which all people would share in the wealth of the earth.”
But African Americans and Latinos struggle with double the unemployment numbers of whites, said Arrington, less health insurance, more new cases of AIDS as well as underfunded schools that turn out fewer students who are college bound.
About 25 percent of Hartford high school students, she said, attend higher education, compared to 80 percent of their suburban counterparts.
King’s vision can only be achieved, Arrington said, by a community that still has faith in its fellow human beings.
“There is still much work to be done, as all Americans have not achieved equality,” said Arrington exhorting her listeners to get involved in their community. “The time is now. We are the ones that we have been waiting for. It is up to us. What we do today or what we don’t do today will be our legacy.”
Patricia Bentley, a breakfast organizer, welcomed the crowd and said she was happy to see so many community officials at the event.
“This is actually a great turnout,” said Bentley.
Mayor Art Ward said it was the largest turnout he’d ever seen in Bristol on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and credited Mangum and others for “bringing the NAACP back into a viable organization within the community.”
Ward said he hopes that with the growth of the local NAACP, dialog between the group and the city will improve.
Ward invited those in the audience to get involved in civic work.
“We have many, many boards and commissions that need you, and we want you to be part of our community,” Ward said.
Emcee Ray Ortiz talked about competing and winning as the 2009 Connecticut Youth of the Year for the Bristol Boys and Girls Club.
“It was hard,” said Ortiz. But he said when he went on to represent the state in the national contest, he experienced a lot of “firsts” in his life, including riding on a train, visiting Times Square and eating at the Olive Garden.
Mangum said the local NAACP branch has more than 100 adult members and almost 40 youth and encouraged non-members to join.
“The NAACP is not and never has been a black organization,” said Mangum. “If you are a resident of Bristol or surrounding town, you can join the NAACP.”
The group’s next meeting, Mangum said, will be Saturday at the Bristol Public Library. The executive board meets at noon and the general membership at 12:30 p.m., he said. Only members are allowed at the meeting, Mangum said, but anyone who wants to join can arrive a few minutes before noon to register.
Dues are $10 for members 16 and under, $15 for members 17-21 and $30 for adults age 21 or older.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Martin Luther King Day in Bristol
It's great to see a fresh start for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Bristol this year. The big event is a breakfast at Bristol Eastern High School, but Beulah A.M.E. Zion Church will also be holding its annual, open service. Here's what I wrote about the day's lineup for the Press:
Residents will have several opportunities to mark the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday.
The Greater Bristol branch of the NAACP is holding a commemorative breakfast with speakers and music at Bristol Eastern High School that President Lexie Mangum hopes will unify the community.
“This year, we just wanted to bring Bristol together,” said Mangum. “It’s a new year. We’re going to start it out afresh.”
Many members of Bristol’s black community aren’t familiar with city leaders, said Mangum, and the breakfast will be a chance to open that door.
“This is a good year to just come and meet and greet,” Mangum said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Mangum expects a crowd of about 250 people, including politicians, business people, religious leaders, community activists and citizens.“Everyone’s invited,” said Mangum.
Madrigal choirs from both Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central High School will perform, said Mangum.
It will also be the debut performance of a new choir made up of members of the Greater Bristol NAACP.
Raymond Ortiz, last year’s Connecticut Youth of the Year, will emcee the breakfast, some city leaders will be invited to speak and Doris Arrington , dean of students at Capital Community College, will deliver the keynote address.
Her
Friday, Jan. 15 is the last day that tickets are available, and they can be purchased for $10 each at Mangum’s barber shop on South Street. No tickets will be available at the door.
Mangum said the breakfast should be over in time for people to get to Beulah A.M.E. Zion Church for a Martin Luther King Day service.
Barbara Camerl, the chairperson of the King Day service at the church, said it will start promptly at 11 a.m. at the church, at 138 Circle St., Forestville.
“We have a wonderful program planned for that day,” said Camerl.
She said the Rev. John Walker of St. James Baptist Church in New Britain will be the guest speaker.
The program will also include music, said Camerl, and will last about 90 minutes.
“Everyone is welcome,” said Camerl. “Every year, we have a good crowd.”
At the Imagine Nation children’s museum at 1 Pleasant St. downtown, Monday will be “I Have a Dream Day,” said program coordinator Hannah Richard.
For the $7 admission fee, several special “stations” throughout the museum will seize on King’s messages, including writing “dream journals,” making art with “dream catchers” and storytelling.
“Special Martin Luther King stories will be read throughout the day,” said Richard.
The museum, which is typically closed on Mondays, will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., she said.
“When school’s closed, this is our big time to shine,” said Richard.
-30-
Residents will have several opportunities to mark the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday.
The Greater Bristol branch of the NAACP is holding a commemorative breakfast with speakers and music at Bristol Eastern High School that President Lexie Mangum hopes will unify the community.
“This year, we just wanted to bring Bristol together,” said Mangum. “It’s a new year. We’re going to start it out afresh.”
Many members of Bristol’s black community aren’t familiar with city leaders, said Mangum, and the breakfast will be a chance to open that door.
“This is a good year to just come and meet and greet,” Mangum said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Mangum expects a crowd of about 250 people, including politicians, business people, religious leaders, community activists and citizens.“Everyone’s invited,” said Mangum.
Madrigal choirs from both Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central High School will perform, said Mangum.
It will also be the debut performance of a new choir made up of members of the Greater Bristol NAACP.
Raymond Ortiz, last year’s Connecticut Youth of the Year, will emcee the breakfast, some city leaders will be invited to speak and Doris Arrington , dean of students at Capital Community College, will deliver the keynote address.
Her
Friday, Jan. 15 is the last day that tickets are available, and they can be purchased for $10 each at Mangum’s barber shop on South Street. No tickets will be available at the door.
Mangum said the breakfast should be over in time for people to get to Beulah A.M.E. Zion Church for a Martin Luther King Day service.
Barbara Camerl, the chairperson of the King Day service at the church, said it will start promptly at 11 a.m. at the church, at 138 Circle St., Forestville.
“We have a wonderful program planned for that day,” said Camerl.
She said the Rev. John Walker of St. James Baptist Church in New Britain will be the guest speaker.
The program will also include music, said Camerl, and will last about 90 minutes.
“Everyone is welcome,” said Camerl. “Every year, we have a good crowd.”
At the Imagine Nation children’s museum at 1 Pleasant St. downtown, Monday will be “I Have a Dream Day,” said program coordinator Hannah Richard.
For the $7 admission fee, several special “stations” throughout the museum will seize on King’s messages, including writing “dream journals,” making art with “dream catchers” and storytelling.
“Special Martin Luther King stories will be read throughout the day,” said Richard.
The museum, which is typically closed on Mondays, will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., she said.
“When school’s closed, this is our big time to shine,” said Richard.
-30-
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