tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65795463533333589562024-03-19T01:48:04.512-07:00Exploring and Preserving African American History in the Louisiana Florida ParishesWelcome to Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana. "Our History, Our Story, Our Legacy!" Dr. Antoinette Harrell is a native of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. She is a genealogist and local historian with a broad emphasis of African Americans in the Louisiana Florida Parishes. nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.comBlogger795125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-28793987053159418932024-03-14T03:22:00.000-07:002024-03-14T03:26:39.297-07:00Dwayne Taylor Sr, finding his biological roots in Fluker, Louisiana<p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1d07ee3e-7caa-454f-b011-5d68e063c4cf"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oM-go7UOrt9pv39auBHFXW-QtCpQgkN2JNntPdVNhYDm2MUdNrsHO5ZM5pOGO-1PgHuTPgBBsOUJnZT_LCyvNVYA_GuLaY4k5xj2PFEQM9DPxyhCb1gG8kAuJq95gc3oyoTFICZoJvqUPkNkmCli934ig2iIQHmXfCL4RMdeQI_JTFxSe6soIDnv69sj/s2049/IMG_3314.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2049" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oM-go7UOrt9pv39auBHFXW-QtCpQgkN2JNntPdVNhYDm2MUdNrsHO5ZM5pOGO-1PgHuTPgBBsOUJnZT_LCyvNVYA_GuLaY4k5xj2PFEQM9DPxyhCb1gG8kAuJq95gc3oyoTFICZoJvqUPkNkmCli934ig2iIQHmXfCL4RMdeQI_JTFxSe6soIDnv69sj/s320/IMG_3314.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dwayne at the Boykin's gravesites.<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Although I did not undergo surgery yesterday, I had an amazing day exploring my paternal roots with my brother Dwayne in<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8409e5fb-8d28-4927-8deb-788a74d9c726"> Fluker, Louisiana,</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9a40f496-d473-4114-8c74-0641dd1fa23d">My two siblings, Zelda and Patrick, and I learned that we had a brother through Ancestry DNA.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6ffc3cb0-3fbc-4504-9983-0c66b8a2683e">Embracing our brother and a new branch of our family tree was an exciting experience for us.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="25c3a30d-8dcb-47ef-a652-8061d5f46efe">We decided to visit Fluker, Louisiana, the ancestral home of his paternal ancestors. </wt-ignore>We visited the Fluker cemetery and church <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6b4459c5-ad13-490e-b241-29d711bba828">where</wt-ignore> our father Walter's family is buried. With the help of a kind man named Mr. Evans, he took Dwayne straight to the Boykin's gravesites. Afterwards w<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="158ac1e9-8d18-44d2-92a4-11abe9dd2706">e then drove around in search of the old house.</wt-ignore> Dwayne was very enthusiastic about exploring the history of his biological family. I could not locate it, due to time constraint I had to meet my friend Lynn Dosty in New <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7c83c056-734b-4146-859d-cc5f4330ec6c">Orleans. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7cd7f321-bc3a-4134-abef-8496ca02e5aa"> </wt-ignore>We met up with Lynn and Don in New Orleans and shared our experiences <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="09cb2c37-6f35-423e-9e84-a4a1b0331833">with them. Lyn has just visit the St. Louis #2 Cemetery in New Orleans and slo had so much to share with us. It was a very exciting day for everyone. </wt-ignore></div><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="cbf23e2d-8191-460e-a1ae-a8c5a4a4f4e8"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b2164da2-e00a-45d6-9e3d-4b571c258431"></wt-ignore></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b2164da2-e00a-45d6-9e3d-4b571c258431">In parallel with this, I was going to meet for the first time my nephew Dwayne, Jr.</wt-ignore> Despite a small setback, yesterday was <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d2f1eaaf-f5d2-4078-bfff-2aa6ab0ebe5f">a memorable</wt-ignore> and awesome day spent with family and friends. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="54d05797-3a05-4fb9-81ae-fefffa2c65cb">My goal is to share as much information as I can about the Boykins family history with Dwayne. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f5947e75-9831-492f-83bc-d2dce71cac63">I am looking forward to our time together and am confident that Dwayne will be interested in learning more about his family's history. I also hope to share some of my experiences with him. I am excited for this opportunity to connect with my nephew.</wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f5947e75-9831-492f-83bc-d2dce71cac63"><br /></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqrUdRRoRC4PgvBeUr8lkl_fLAel8K5WNe6Qdw_cZLB7WJ98XLK92YAckohJhA9wrl3GgEliJszlfZoUQ4EyH7b0owDVo0MXdilKoVbdy72R3L6Fj2I68faSjfgVhlcu5E0dBSKYksVM7qleGxytuGca6pac3txnwn_2_w4vbWsvnLuauMPWWpKa_OP2x/s6000/IMG_9948.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqrUdRRoRC4PgvBeUr8lkl_fLAel8K5WNe6Qdw_cZLB7WJ98XLK92YAckohJhA9wrl3GgEliJszlfZoUQ4EyH7b0owDVo0MXdilKoVbdy72R3L6Fj2I68faSjfgVhlcu5E0dBSKYksVM7qleGxytuGca6pac3txnwn_2_w4vbWsvnLuauMPWWpKa_OP2x/s320/IMG_9948.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Dwayne Taylor, Sr., Dr. Antoinette Harrell,<br />Dwayne Taylor, Jr., and Lynn Dosty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f5947e75-9831-492f-83bc-d2dce71cac63"><br /></wt-ignore></div><p></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-834423632297259162024-01-30T19:29:00.000-08:002024-01-30T19:32:08.231-08:00A local historian conducts research and writes about the history of Blacks in Southeast Louisiana <p><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="8224e5fd-af60-4637-8036-57cad2ca0b73"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvR-p-42sxSNkT3eFRl7vgQPI5JOcrUi21RN7KXltgvb5lxwHrrd_0OuGtMOZ38kF2gFb7S6Iv7JGkUvYbUXRzMOej4peKnTz-1Mz5TPNEl44G4Sl8t6q3VXesIcKlW84-XcOvjGvc87HV3WitGeVZDYs2bU9QCbHXCGMuWaVmOrBUUWk4IyGUsK_1tzC/s3344/DSC_0486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3344" data-original-width="2823" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvR-p-42sxSNkT3eFRl7vgQPI5JOcrUi21RN7KXltgvb5lxwHrrd_0OuGtMOZ38kF2gFb7S6Iv7JGkUvYbUXRzMOej4peKnTz-1Mz5TPNEl44G4Sl8t6q3VXesIcKlW84-XcOvjGvc87HV3WitGeVZDYs2bU9QCbHXCGMuWaVmOrBUUWk4IyGUsK_1tzC/s320/DSC_0486.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Antoinette Harrell<br />Local Historian and Genealogist<br /> in Tangipahoa Parish</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />To gain a deeper understanding of yourself, you must examine your history.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="8706ce44-6969-4fa0-ac9e-8a2244b27a20">The history of my family was always discussed by my mother, dating back as far as she was able to recall.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">It didn't matter to her if she</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="bf317517-328e-498c-b443-c1bd0c7a96c7">told me</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">the same story</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="3e6d6c49-8638-40f0-8d11-530a90f381da">a hundred times,</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">she told it again as if it was</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="05964bc5-8a53-4c3f-8c3d-da7259dcffef">her first</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">time telling me the story.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="fd6e970c-6d90-4620-af77-76cce60834b0">Perhaps she believed</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">that by repeating these stories she would</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="2eded600-08bd-4817-bea1-da680cd5bb44">pass</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">on our history to the next generation. One</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="d8e4fcfc-997e-461a-b8af-529b003b01b6">thing is certain,</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">I'm glad she</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> did, </span><span style="text-align: justify;">It is one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="c511a5cc-6cd8-4464-aa88-71e9f6675e75">Many people are unaware of the history of their families.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">What's</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="5ee45b32-fafe-4330-ba7c-705e90f84e3c">more disturbing</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">is that some do not want to know. </span></p><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="220aa56a-0e54-422d-a9c2-5d09996dbb11" style="text-align: justify;">I <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1410284b-626e-4611-8ced-c6e9150ae1fd">would like</wt-ignore> to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d55d2b2d-e2a6-4833-83d0-aa974cfaef3c">convey</wt-ignore> what my mother <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="bb3d7e4c-d87f-4da5-b634-d87b17303433">told me</wt-ignore> and the sources she <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="ddc4a069-e367-472d-bd7e-d2014d1b584b">shared</wt-ignore> with <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="1ceaa7fd-bb18-4bf5-98ee-9f35f066c972">me with</wt-ignore> other family members. It is the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="63b77873-5dcb-4ba0-ae66-1ee8ea48dde5">most effective</wt-ignore> way to keep our <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d90b2e5b-8559-42dd-bc4f-c98ea893c179">family's</wt-ignore> history and legacy <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="10511272-9739-4df4-b32c-1ad3a4a75d50">alive. I</wt-ignore> also want to inspire other families to explore their history. It's <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="df21306d-581e-4bac-a807-c4f925c2bcb4">ok</wt-ignore> to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="7555a6df-7f15-4464-a2e9-abcd467666f5">share</wt-ignore> stories, photographs, and family heirlooms with others in the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6381caff-b508-496a-9cc9-e99737d521a6">family. We</wt-ignore> should cherish our ancestors and the lessons they taught us. It's <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7cf4800c-f28d-4e3b-b840-67b80411c3a9">a valuable</wt-ignore> way to keep our history and culture alive. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3ba7355b-378d-465f-9303-cc870a72284c">Our history will be lost if we do not research and preserve it.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="0894eb5a-4257-45fe-91a8-c7f73c0dedcc">Our history will gradually diminish over time. </wt-ignore>We all should take action now to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="97976a15-2dab-4546-bafa-fdaca659e31e">ensure our</wt-ignore> history is not forgotten. We should also educate future generations about our family history. </p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="9aba4a71-d040-4304-b15b-3865f91a8241" style="text-align: justify;">When I started in 1994, there were no Black collections at the local genealogy library or the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. You could any information about <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="13729e7c-43ce-441b-9b6f-4d2bcea5f98a">Black churches, schools,</wt-ignore> civic associations, and societies. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9436377d-496a-4fe4-8245-6cc24f304b70">There was no doubt in my mind that I would change that.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c4c9be90-e686-48b2-b20b-bcecaf463704">There are currently five Black collections at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a326bff9-9c3b-495b-a3ce-fa0135820453">At the local genealogy library, there is a collection of genealogy and photographs of Black people.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="053e3ca1-6507-4389-8f6c-c348423f6066" style="text-align: justify;">People have regularly contacted me via phone calls and emails to express their gratitude for my research or for documenting their <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="97a50b18-d748-465d-8a73-672c1de19ebb">ancestors'</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6a2bde11-877d-4c27-acda-3d0ac85630f7">stories.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="127f6b66-a1ea-48ee-8feb-39cbf6e6e0a3">I was inspired to create a more comprehensive collection and do more research. I was determined to make sure that these stories were not forgotten and that their legacy could be celebrated.</wt-ignore></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-1775153665169592772024-01-30T12:19:00.000-08:002024-01-30T12:20:24.475-08:00There is an increased risk of drowning among Black children due to a lack of swimming skills<p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="721c5ff8-8e80-4a5b-abcf-89d479a7d1d5" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="82502210-65a7-40a3-b1be-53536b95aa44"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7J0bdLS8URHOaKZeywlRa31S0aSyXth-dnRhyphenhyphenhdop3d_Vna-C79Qd8yP5tCpBbPFdA70LQWql5PHs462SN7_QXSwCwfhvREHaq3y5XB5DlEgLF-wyiwK9MiI1AF_I-Fz6E48eAiBw4fbxXTH-Wb3u4xejqySjXS_NpkFX79Xa23NuzwiczUo6IDjracJ/s2048/423538527_10224813789751652_8837255455698664069_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7J0bdLS8URHOaKZeywlRa31S0aSyXth-dnRhyphenhyphenhdop3d_Vna-C79Qd8yP5tCpBbPFdA70LQWql5PHs462SN7_QXSwCwfhvREHaq3y5XB5DlEgLF-wyiwK9MiI1AF_I-Fz6E48eAiBw4fbxXTH-Wb3u4xejqySjXS_NpkFX79Xa23NuzwiczUo6IDjracJ/s320/423538527_10224813789751652_8837255455698664069_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carter at Swim Meet<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Black children aged 5-19 are five times more likely than white children to drown in swimming pools, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Growing up in Amite, Louisiana, our family homestead had a <span aria-label="open issue for the following text pond and my" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="8ec4d8e1-5127-4c11-9dbd-92adc6d2aba3" data-testid="issue-underline:pond. My">pond and my</span> mother <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="54e089fb-b5db-40c2-b272-cbc2e0b3113b">warned</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e6ed9807-3a28-429d-80d6-4d6536c7ac08">my three</wt-ignore> brothers and me not to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a435f621-b6a8-4a4d-9e15-7f73f4835952">be</wt-ignore> near the pond. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2eb654c3-1d50-4d4a-8eb6-8cf366c51b8b">She was concerned that we would drown if we fell in.</wt-ignore> Neither of us knew how to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="54f30530-1824-45ea-bb89-8cc889511396">swim. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e3e3277e-e8c8-41c8-a484-a04f8791b84f">Occasionally, she and other adults would take us to the river nearby and let us play on the edge of the water.</wt-ignore></div><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="243e290c-c2b9-461b-99f0-6872cbee2838" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="51260d58-dcff-489f-838c-be223542a352">I'll never forget my first cousin Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier telling me how she saved my life when I fell into the pond.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="87683746-1d38-42a9-b551-9d258a23492c">When I fell in the pond, she said I was approximately four years old.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3911a6c5-f170-4507-b08b-f3e116defc27">In her words, she saw me go under the water and jumped into the pond to save me.</wt-ignore> I'm glad she did otherwise I wouldn't be here writing this article today. I'm happy she knew how to swim.</p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="e5b00d58-a9db-4d0a-9015-08e616a409fc" style="text-align: justify;">Through the years I have heard many stories of young people drowning. <wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="3aa30717-1238-435e-99c1-ebe985528eba">Particularly during the long summer months when kids desire to cool down from the oppressive heat.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">When a child does not know how to swim, what begins as fun can end tragically. It is also</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="5b0c48fc-9327-430a-bb81-2cee2b2106a9">worthwhile</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">to teach children to swim at an early age so that they can safely enjoy summer activities.</span></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="e5b00d58-a9db-4d0a-9015-08e616a409fc" style="text-align: justify;">I lived in New Orleans for <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9d89d0fb-62bc-4abf-ab7c-fa8063de675a">years knowing that our city was below sea level. </wt-ignore> The average <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ef321fe4-63a3-4a2d-93a5-4d3910d16d1e">elevation of</wt-ignore> New Orleans, Louisiana is approximately one to 8 feet below sea level. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2af746e0-9c97-4178-8ac0-fdd6917f8b47">Public schools in New Orleans should offer swimming classes and swimming teams to their students just like any other sport they offer.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="08f913a6-a694-46ca-9a1c-c333069fb383" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a59e830d-b915-4e59-8b6f-30116dd6f431">"Consider the number of drownings during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.</wt-ignore> "<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="51b60627-c407-42a3-9809-ce8e35b3ce4b">Would more people have been able to save lives if they had learned how to swim?"</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="29ab927e-967b-49bd-9de9-91f89913ed60">Carter's choice of swimming as a sport made me so proud.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="dd1fcbca-6f3c-4f13-8e73-8262d9afc548">At one of his swim meets, I observed how relaxing he found swimming. </wt-ignore>Carter was a natural in the water <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="706d0039-22b1-4b3d-90df-e12765e89a0d">and became</wt-ignore> more confident with every race. I <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="14b4d9eb-9193-4971-a83c-083a6d46c371">was inspired</wt-ignore> by him. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7f5c2237-71d0-403e-837e-3dc3cfeb694d">His mother was excited to tell me that he won first place in the freestyle competition.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="c41917fc-fe5c-4a5a-b528-1afd625e8d98" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="acc68c46-50e1-4f83-927f-3310d14ceca8">Swimming lessons can save your child's life and the lives of others during water activities. </wt-ignore>It was clear that the swimming lessons had paid off and that Carter had <span aria-label="open issue for the following text gained a sense of confidence" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="0ff4ff70-b04b-4e52-ade4-b27636259d24" data-testid="issue-underline:gained confidence">gained a sense of confidence</span> and competence in the water. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEeAFK7bpgLv940P3ebz4vdepiXz7w7Y63TcJeN6yuTW81twigsd6e4ZJ_dbuiURY2ZvKGy_kojFM-m_b8RupgYrO6zEITuxuD-Ne2v0uzOPJMLK671XlTFuwI3MIafHxsD5zFiOAcb_fND0D6QmY81y-O1cSScoXXPMZCIouYzjnMIQRhe7C4B0klav4/s2048/423862026_10224813782311466_4002320119756968024_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEeAFK7bpgLv940P3ebz4vdepiXz7w7Y63TcJeN6yuTW81twigsd6e4ZJ_dbuiURY2ZvKGy_kojFM-m_b8RupgYrO6zEITuxuD-Ne2v0uzOPJMLK671XlTFuwI3MIafHxsD5zFiOAcb_fND0D6QmY81y-O1cSScoXXPMZCIouYzjnMIQRhe7C4B0klav4/s320/423862026_10224813782311466_4002320119756968024_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carter at his Swim Meet<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="c41917fc-fe5c-4a5a-b528-1afd625e8d98" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-86022200539769816222024-01-29T15:52:00.000-08:002024-01-29T15:56:10.246-08:00Ebony and Jet magazine art director Herbert Temple, Jr., roots traces back to Tangipahoa Parish<p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="61326523-e2ed-4115-9b51-73bf6b4e2564" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwza1v_WoVQfLDEf1Yp4jxTxyKDcjMJ77oqypOODma7VvqNUYsDFqfehL4ux4OPM1Cu6RF9ex3l3v9V2MqdfWygYs6bTO_t03hey5TyzG5acIbZ2d2zW3qOl-r_cKEkoxRxvt4zNVsKse69uJskddrJvAjEjHSNTWaAn6Fwo7Q_DqVnzG7o0rlEkDuoMeO/s1208/423224860_10224810953400745_7079024962610850377_n-1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1208" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwza1v_WoVQfLDEf1Yp4jxTxyKDcjMJ77oqypOODma7VvqNUYsDFqfehL4ux4OPM1Cu6RF9ex3l3v9V2MqdfWygYs6bTO_t03hey5TyzG5acIbZ2d2zW3qOl-r_cKEkoxRxvt4zNVsKse69uJskddrJvAjEjHSNTWaAn6Fwo7Q_DqVnzG7o0rlEkDuoMeO/s320/423224860_10224810953400745_7079024962610850377_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herbert Temple, Jr.<br />Photo Credit: Chornes/Ancestry</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">"It is impossible to predict what you may uncover when conducting genealogy and local history research. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="31cbec27-5dec-4ecf-b326-5809d2ebeebc">As I was researching newspaper articles on newspapers.com, I came across a very interesting article about a man named Herbert Temple.</wt-ignore> Jr. I <span aria-label="open issue for the following text had some knowledge of" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="93b6e5bc-fb35-47ef-823c-045ec48ee877" data-testid="issue-underline:knew">had some knowledge of</span> Herbert's 2 <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a8ed22dc-160f-466f-a2a9-1a8be35aea64">great-grandfathers,</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="96ebd1ac-751b-4ef0-a9cc-162322143fc0">Jim Temple, whose family history is rooted deeply in Tangipahoa Parish to this day.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="4da5a93d-1367-413b-8543-8bd4a0a7ddc9">Among the children of Jim Temple was a son named John Temple. John married Ida Butler, they both was residents of Tangipahoa Parish. His wife Ida taught school with schools were held in local churches. </wt-ignore></div><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="6b58241a-6239-42da-93ca-62a0d2f043b7" style="text-align: justify;">They were the parents <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e9bf410d-1339-4f41-ba96-6a254cc158f4">of</wt-ignore> Herbert Temple, Sr. <span aria-label="open issue for the following text (1898-1959," class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="ef700d9c-a9f9-475d-9aea-080f705db01c" data-testid="issue-underline:(1898-1959),">(1898-1959,</span> Margaret Temple (1900-1964) John Temple (1902-?) Edna Temple <span aria-label="open issue for the following text (1908-1961), Fulton" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="d57ed355-7d47-4618-b284-523ee7747c47" data-testid="issue-underline:(1908-1961), and Fulton">(1908-1961), Fulton</span> Temple <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="42ae8ec1-7009-45a3-96bf-bb7319853d23">(1908-1997)</wt-ignore>. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9cc5bffe-aef1-4855-b346-1ea7e5ca1ec0">I am primarily interested in Herbert Temple, Sr. and his Carey Britt family history. </wt-ignore>The couple lived in Cook County, Illinois, where they raised their family. They were the parents of Herbert Temple, Jr., Florence O. Temple, and Velma Temple. </p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="c42883f8-e057-42e8-a4a6-054bee277384" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8fe52971-1579-4249-86b0-67ed9c6fc149">The Temple's genealogy is traceable back to Tangipahoa Parish for Herbert Temple, Jr.</wt-ignore> "<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a84ff747-8720-4b3c-8390-7e60f281a90c">Now, who was Herbert Temple, Jr., and why am I interested in his history?" </wt-ignore>I came across <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="12c02393-f5e7-4109-8a18-9d628f778272">an article</wt-ignore> published in the Chicago Tribune on April 27, 2011, about Herbert. Hebert was the executive director <span aria-label="open issue for the following text at" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="af77d792-77d1-469c-a00a-e82807cf3d2d" data-testid="issue-underline:of">at</span> Johnson Publishing Co., Herbert Temple was involved in some of the nation's most prominent African American publications, such as Ebony and Jet.</p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="303fea5a-63ce-4004-8416-165eea6ad22c"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="55e210e4-8fe1-4b03-9620-a14af2aa7d80" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2a5b029f-6775-44cc-bbdb-f83fd41ac707"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpKk5nJqiR5kribalY3FmILc0QMHeBRKUrtapT-zllUBKdh-5H2TkLJh1CKBccpGHNUXbrmarXzbO1TObOjVdoQTIwvQT1aLgyIwMHqXZcfivwBoYDIicvmZPHkgPBRcqB52cfW7As0gOlLnf4AOEixTTjNHtZ0JDhMSFwremwXVlLiNZIGNA4NgovRKq/s1116/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%205.34.35%20PM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1116" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpKk5nJqiR5kribalY3FmILc0QMHeBRKUrtapT-zllUBKdh-5H2TkLJh1CKBccpGHNUXbrmarXzbO1TObOjVdoQTIwvQT1aLgyIwMHqXZcfivwBoYDIicvmZPHkgPBRcqB52cfW7As0gOlLnf4AOEixTTjNHtZ0JDhMSFwremwXVlLiNZIGNA4NgovRKq/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%205.34.35%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Herbert Temple, Jr.<br />Photo Credit: Noael Alford/Ancestry</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">In his youth, Temple enjoyed drawing and reading comic books. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="14c6f590-7ac1-4444-bb5d-4450263a51a9">Upon graduation from Evanson Town-</wt-ignore></div><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="14c6f590-7ac1-4444-bb5d-4450263a51a9"><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="14c6f590-7ac1-4444-bb5d-4450263a51a9">ship High School, he enlisted in the United States Army.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="be6b89d1-649b-4bb9-ada3-7bb96e42b4dd">When he returned home, he decided to pursue a career in the arts.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="912b1a9b-b314-4ca9-b526-53b6bdf3eae4">Upon enrolling at the School of Arts in Chicago, he pursued a degree in art. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b9754862-9652-4af2-a7ec-fd9a7a311485">In the 1950s, there were no employment opportunities for African Americans in the arts.</wt-ignore><span> </span><span> </span><span aria-label="open issue for the following text Many African" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="f9271cbc-1c4e-419f-be5f-6a8e43e85d0d" data-testid="issue-underline:African">Many African</span><span> </span><span>Americans had to turn to other jobs and</span><span> </span><span> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="533f4c81-357a-43f5-aadc-a342e72184ba">professions to</wt-ignore><span> </span><span>provide for their families. This lack of opportunity created a significant barrier to career advancement and wealth accumulation, making it</span><span> </span><span aria-label="open issue for the following text more difficult" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="ea6905bf-530a-44f3-b287-c6e62b9896b6" data-testid="issue-underline:harder">more difficult</span><span> </span><span>for future generations to succeed. </span><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="fa58d339-46d7-4a3c-8ed5-8b6e21aa4a2f">Art was Herbert's passion and he was determined to pursue it. </wt-ignore><span> His</span><span> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3635d13a-49fd-40e0-9dfc-ab3c393530d7">dedication and</wt-ignore><span> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1e4c7ecf-efee-4840-8525-0550da058f2e">work paid</wt-ignore><span> </span><span>off and he soon made a name for himself as a professional artist. He</span><span> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="fa3f1fe7-98f1-4424-bb00-677f0764aef9">inspired</wt-ignore><span> </span><span>others and his legacy lives on. </span></div></wt-ignore><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="55e210e4-8fe1-4b03-9620-a14af2aa7d80" style="text-align: justify;">In 1953 he was hired by John H. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="dc389fef-b3db-4987-9635-edc3991dddf2">Johnson, publisher of</wt-ignore> Ebony and Jet magazine. Temple. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6d9fb36a-ed6b-4072-9c8d-70ddf73e995a">He was not only an artist.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1c79d0ad-ea6e-4341-8787-b396068d9435">He also founded JanTemp Greetings, a card company specializing in black themes.</wt-ignore> He designed many album covers, and children's books illustrations <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b38a954c-25ea-43d3-babb-59b4f4996c9b">and produced</wt-ignore> a series of drawings of Black leaders according to his daughter Janel Temple.</p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ea8f737e-fed4-4df6-b373-ddc884427559" style="text-align: justify;">"My father's career as an artist presented him with the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7f1b45cb-de3b-4fe1-a106-457d074f6aba">opportunity to</wt-ignore> meet many notable individuals and dignitaries. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="679684e8-2592-49f0-9c0a-96866cf0cac8">Among these notable individuals are President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lennon, Michael Jackson, and others," said Janel.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="70996c31-67da-43af-a83a-e834940df940" style="text-align: justify;">Herbert Temple's cousin Collis Temple, Jr., was the first African American to play varsity basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU). Many of Jim Temple's descendants have <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e3a4323f-1e34-46c3-ba18-240eacabcc67">succeeded</wt-ignore> in their fields. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8edccd19-dcf7-497c-99f2-f266c49a8d0c">There is a high standard of excellence in the Temple family, from educators to business owners.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="13d759ad-ffb3-4c1e-99ef-1a976e1c6cfc" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="bd207e5d-004e-442b-9924-15e3670ec097">The possibilities are endless when it comes to researching our local history.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="5e5951a4-f638-41f9-90f6-dc0ee39dcac7">Tangipahoa Parish has produced many accomplished African Americans.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2691659f-f1ff-4e88-9511-8449486668ab">Herbert had no interest in working in a slaughterhouse or seed mill.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="56eb91e6-e3ee-470a-8dbc-a85c2063ed54">He had a vision for himself and what he wanted to become, and the foundation that his parents gave him supported that vision. </wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;">His</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="3635d13a-49fd-40e0-9dfc-ab3c393530d7">dedication and</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="1e4c7ecf-efee-4840-8525-0550da058f2e">work paid</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">off and he soon made a name for himself as a professional artist. He</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="fa3f1fe7-98f1-4424-bb00-677f0764aef9">inspired</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">others and his legacy lives on. </span></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-34866946810718300402024-01-29T08:11:00.000-08:002024-01-29T08:19:06.522-08:00The late Dr. Percy, L. Walker was legend in his community<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3vfwG_z2bBb71NphHLM9eKcZFaXxsDAZWeRtFsGFxCE36ct10t3ktANEwAIJYFbMTfhggBUXqWpt1q0qzt5tz2cXDfUEZdVeWdTCDGX-gZ9aV6-kAOi5KoecU0EXHa9sm4oylz6mEQG0WJqlZWeChqKd3pzGXiN1Oe8nyk2WFoU1viL1b7fY7yLxo_V0/s494/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%2010.02.38%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3vfwG_z2bBb71NphHLM9eKcZFaXxsDAZWeRtFsGFxCE36ct10t3ktANEwAIJYFbMTfhggBUXqWpt1q0qzt5tz2cXDfUEZdVeWdTCDGX-gZ9aV6-kAOi5KoecU0EXHa9sm4oylz6mEQG0WJqlZWeChqKd3pzGXiN1Oe8nyk2WFoU1viL1b7fY7yLxo_V0/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%2010.02.38%20AM.png" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Percy L. Walker<br />Photo Credit: Louisiana Weekl</span>y</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Amite, LA- <span>My memory of Dr. Percy L. Walker dates back to when I was a child. He was Tangipahoa Parish first black vegetarian. He came out to assist my Cousin Henry Wheat deliver a calf. Dr. Walker legacy revealed so more more. My r</span>esearch revealed that he was a reporter <span aria-label="open issue for the following text for Louisiana" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="466f8563-a72c-4238-8181-8a03eab5fbe9" data-testid="issue-underline:for the Louisiana">for Louisiana</span> Weekly Newspaper in New Orleans at early as the 1950s. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b3936786-2fd9-4d92-bd16-712ecca76067">Black people's achievements and events in Amite, Louisiana were the subject of Dr. Walker's writings.</wt-ignore></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b3936786-2fd9-4d92-bd16-712ecca76067"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6419f339-bf18-4ec4-bbc6-5e858e896d90">There is a great deal of information about the local AME church events that he wrote about.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="59453db9-1bdc-41cc-a1f1-a3e24c96f37c">I found this information to be extremely valuable since most church histories are sketchy unless the church secretary or members keep good records as well as church programs.</wt-ignore></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="85f6a9f8-f7a3-4bde-96a2-f021c002e7ad"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="69d57097-5acc-4045-86c1-d5c9e3da61bc"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="13ac15f6-0e00-4d3b-aebb-8690699cc834">"Dr. Walker was also appointed to serve as the chairman of the Red Cross for black people.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="590b71f5-4c09-4465-a259-48f28e188e73">Educating black people on the importance of emergency preparedness was also one of his major contributions.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">He held the first</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="8c5c540d-f011-4e03-b41c-4a41578753b7">annual colored membership meeting at</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">West High School on January 12, 1960.</span> Dr. Walker stated that he consider it a privilege to serve in this capacity."</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="d5345a73-9965-41d9-bab2-8d4682647cee">Through the many articles he wrote, I learned who were the community leaders at the time.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> Several garden clubs and civic organizations </span><span aria-label="open issue for the following text were active in improving" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="d60e64bb-e9d6-4a77-8eae-fcf583f6319a" data-testid="issue-underline:improved" style="text-align: start;">were active in improving</span><span style="text-align: start;"> the quality of life for black people. These organizations provided social services, such as education and healthcare, to those in need. </span><span style="text-align: left;">His articles kept me up until the early hours of the morning reading</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span aria-label="open issue for the following text it." class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="4a8efa18-ab94-43dc-a23e-1026dedda1a0" data-testid="issue-underline:them." style="text-align: left;">it.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="b4270947-abe4-4a15-a3a9-54e364871109">I am interested in learning more about the work of black people in the local community. </wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;">I am inspired to find out more about their</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="49f24eee-8c19-416b-a978-faac866bd1c4">experiences,</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">the challenges they face, and their</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="7b2fe549-013f-490e-bfe6-651d7975cdb5">accomplishments.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">I want to use this information to motivate others to act, and to create a more equitable and equitable society in our Tangipahoa Parish communities.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="6ac36105-b389-4cc3-a9ac-6ad4d748bb2f">There is a blueprint for us to follow that was left by the community icons.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="9aac66c3-3776-4127-a486-9f612c5c8914"> The majority of those he wrote about have long since passed away.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">My objective is to continue to research and promote their works to empower our communities through their work.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="85f6a9f8-f7a3-4bde-96a2-f021c002e7ad"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="69d57097-5acc-4045-86c1-d5c9e3da61bc" style="text-align: justify;">As a legend within his community, Dr. Percy L. Walker would be an excellent subject for a documentary or book. Dr. Walker was a prominent figure in the fight for civil rights in Tangipahoa, Louisiana, and his life story <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c78285d0-e7ed-4cb2-a4f3-cb6f11302d4d">is unknown.</wt-ignore> He was a strong advocate for <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8021c0d4-8cfb-493c-8f6c-f2ec49d4365e">African Americans' education and</wt-ignore> a pioneer of the civil rights movement in the region. His legacy deserves to be remembered and honored. His article as reporter for the Louisiana Weekly has shed new light on the area's past. <spices></spices><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2820e996-8c38-4426-a89d-0af5da084c00">Tuskegee University is where he obtained his degree.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="69d57097-5acc-4045-86c1-d5c9e3da61bc"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2820e996-8c38-4426-a89d-0af5da084c00"><br /></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="69d57097-5acc-4045-86c1-d5c9e3da61bc"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2820e996-8c38-4426-a89d-0af5da084c00"><br /></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="69d57097-5acc-4045-86c1-d5c9e3da61bc"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2820e996-8c38-4426-a89d-0af5da084c00">Source: " Named Chairman of Red Cross Membership Dr." The Louisiana Weekly (New Orleans, Louisiana) Saturday, January 2, 1960, p 3.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="5ea752e1-7540-40fd-85b6-eff06fede5be"><spices-nudge></spices-nudge></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="69d57097-5acc-4045-86c1-d5c9e3da61bc"></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-37456950300910678502024-01-28T16:07:00.000-08:002024-01-28T16:55:05.243-08:00 Genealogist Dr. Antoinette Harrell connects with her brother through Ancestry DNA<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kckMb4JHFdP_eiXt4wqcVZj3-es7Def63H-THQ5SyfpWKLh86keYXdLFkKkthCY6rydrGEydagT_8EMFyiJPqEpurSz_dVFATnTcgP98Idb0_FoO8bkZddmrkFRncIPugZvRJI7GkPEuU8ulJowYrxPV_VcOF0e1Nc0xuxCbC1hTBhebE3xVd_FCk6ge/s2048/396711019_7569418826402114_1185057419786633039_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kckMb4JHFdP_eiXt4wqcVZj3-es7Def63H-THQ5SyfpWKLh86keYXdLFkKkthCY6rydrGEydagT_8EMFyiJPqEpurSz_dVFATnTcgP98Idb0_FoO8bkZddmrkFRncIPugZvRJI7GkPEuU8ulJowYrxPV_VcOF0e1Nc0xuxCbC1hTBhebE3xVd_FCk6ge/s320/396711019_7569418826402114_1185057419786633039_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Patrick, Zelda, Antoinette, Dwayne<br />Siblings found each other through Ancestry DNA</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I am a <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6f4d4adc-b452-4693-93bb-0260155170bd">local historian</wt-ignore> and genealogist in Tangiphaoa Parish. I began researching my family <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c9568534-25d2-42bb-807a-0ae8a4ad6a63">history more than 30 years </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5fbd339d-1c8c-481a-ab11-e001458049b1">ago. My</wt-ignore> ongoing investigation of my maternal and paternal ancestry in several parishes in Louisiana, Florida Parishes is never-ending. During my research, I spent long hours in courthouses, <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="dbb573f6-08f4-4437-a59e-40f9b43fc130">libraries,</wt-ignore> university archives, and other sources <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ec83a97f-fa6c-42bc-8871-23eb4fc4cc25">searching for</wt-ignore> any information that would <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="663018c1-078f-4c5e-9663-283062311ab1">help me obtain</wt-ignore> more information about my family history. </div><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="5f6aa2f7-5a3b-4434-acda-17fb01a5b74b" style="text-align: justify;">"Having hit a brick wall, I turned to Ancestry in hopes of finding answers and other clues that would lead me further down the road in my <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9ce91468-c315-45f2-a990-4f575ded7e54">research." My paternal</wt-ignore> and maternal ancestors were slaves in the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="84d180ed-21ea-4551-b46e-5ce4f8e934aa">Louisiana Florida</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1954e25b-7dc8-4ac2-b08f-82ac2129b78e">Parishes. I</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9f8b5f39-5558-423b-bd89-a5bca4f2a65a">discovered new</wt-ignore> family members <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="be067a4d-794b-46b3-8fc9-d342a3c76e73">and</wt-ignore> a brother through my Ancestry <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="615bf58a-1459-4926-9c60-91735a1e692f">DNA. I</wt-ignore> learned that I was connected to Dwayne Taylor as a <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="02b58721-8278-43cb-bf83-b98c18ed7fd0">brother through</wt-ignore> Eric Williams, <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e3f75251-e6a9-4b51-ac4f-8bdf10fe76df">a family history keeper.</wt-ignore> To verify what Williams <span aria-label="open issue for the following text was referring to," class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="f8bb99d7-233c-4dd2-aebb-acaf77aa4c7d" data-testid="issue-underline:meant,">was referring to,</span> I immediately logged into my <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b850b437-8d5d-48a6-ad5a-f9cc52483701">Ancestry</wt-ignore> account to look further into this matter.</p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="a03ff975-0eeb-480f-99c0-00ada1b594ee" style="text-align: justify;">As Eric Williams and I analyzed Dwayne's DNA and my DNA results together, he informed me that he used Facebook to determine whether we had mutual friends. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="de7191b8-b7bd-4851-a26f-d761fe9edeec">"Yes, we have mutual friends. One of those friends is Fabiola Clark-Taylor." I was completely blown away, since Fabiola and her husband Donald were my friends. We have been friends for over 25 years.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="edea8d58-142e-44c1-aa6f-c3eab188e997">She often spoke about Dwayne, her stepson.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d819984f-995d-4732-99a7-882f723f40d4">The fact that my dear friend's stepson was my brother shocked me.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="cba9cc64-f9a8-49d8-9dc8-2f8ead246a22">My mind immediately began spinning with thousands of questions.</wt-ignore> What? How? Why? I want to learn more.<spices-nudge></spices-nudge></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVysBILYZoycSig4pZ9Dx9gUOw_fkJN04Iz-JP888QuWqN3MLSh-368LhM8tVbI5qJZVxeyr6jokyemFOBcuT9qmnq2gONY2HrlTVg-Q3F7V5xprDatgKGP4XyTZ-3kpYUoq7I67SAUMBT31MlcdiMbOk8cpVbfVXxWjbRTxhCRhxHV4um_r2R9QEotmgh/s810/403633385_10224574101799603_5280958007466086544_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="810" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVysBILYZoycSig4pZ9Dx9gUOw_fkJN04Iz-JP888QuWqN3MLSh-368LhM8tVbI5qJZVxeyr6jokyemFOBcuT9qmnq2gONY2HrlTVg-Q3F7V5xprDatgKGP4XyTZ-3kpYUoq7I67SAUMBT31MlcdiMbOk8cpVbfVXxWjbRTxhCRhxHV4um_r2R9QEotmgh/s320/403633385_10224574101799603_5280958007466086544_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Antoinette and Dwayne first meeting</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="aa6956d8-ef30-4cce-8a13-f763c74087e5" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="61a232cc-9180-4ae1-bff4-4a4684099d41">I called my sister Zelda to inform her of our new brother.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="4cb8776c-8561-44ad-b8fc-c36d19cea6f2">It was shocking news for her as well.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b26ce332-0a32-48a5-999a-d7351c620795">Our father told us</wt-ignore> that there were no other children except for the three of us that he knew <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="aba05a65-0b20-4585-af75-39ca0e27f79c">of. At</wt-ignore> that <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="54483585-0676-4459-b1b7-8639b54bbfc3">point, we both agreed</wt-ignore> that our father didn't know he had another son. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7677d88d-728e-4a1b-9f6d-502aab78cefe">He would have informed us if he had known.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1df9078e-7191-4b59-9e9d-0f36eb5e47ad">I reassured Dwayne that our father Walter was unaware of him.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="2b798061-ddaa-4a36-98e5-ab0ddcc4eb4a" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="0be62838-1d7e-480f-ba26-37646387a097">Dwayne and I were introduced by phone by our mutual cousin Eric Williams.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="07b9b72d-bc8c-49fd-9046-2b28ad25486a">Dwayne and I began to talk. </wt-ignore> Later we<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5b23e005-8cde-4900-80b1-e2d742bdb723"> spent hours on the phone sharing information</wt-ignore>. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d8aaabab-d5ad-47e5-bf02-cb4726b82460">Both of us were crying for a variety of reasons.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="bbf9c978-b9d4-4e47-a9a3-dfe860cc882b">Finding</wt-ignore> each other was the first reason. I informed him that he had two siblings, a sister named Zelda and a brother named Patrick. He also gained nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Me and my siblings gained nieces, nephews, and <span aria-label="open issue for the following text great" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="8fa9ca73-568b-4ad1-8bd3-e4d1201e1530" data-testid="issue-underline:grandchildren">great</span> nieces and <span aria-label="open issue for the following text nephews. Now" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="1f4344b5-1c7a-4900-b8cf-a5a96c288b3d" data-testid="issue-underline:nephews. Now">nephews. Now </span>that the cloud of happiness has cleared, we need to speak with a few people who could <span aria-label="open issue for the following text give us some answers." class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="f5d8984a-16d4-49a4-8933-251bd048d3ca" data-testid="issue-underline:help us.">give us some answers, at least we hope so. </span></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="e0bf3e5d-855c-4fe0-88eb-d4d27d665604"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="c7a6863b-9c4f-4f2c-8dac-4c85eec3b664" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7ce10114-1815-47ba-a119-115f00c52136"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8bDHv_bda3EEzJox81LWqjzVZMrI2XJNhZPFOiFyUZwRMwGg8_FIODPWisbg1dJ7lMX4eHFasFp9IFrUfj84uqW8ojNNlX4A75X1gSptI5wPI7xgUHSELmodG18zwYdFAEYEM1xbZYcdhhMr_-jbq4O48tTxUATI6mgpSNiGwXOAbobcBp8I8VIbuKUP/s1080/403692729_10224574025957707_886608219958323861_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8bDHv_bda3EEzJox81LWqjzVZMrI2XJNhZPFOiFyUZwRMwGg8_FIODPWisbg1dJ7lMX4eHFasFp9IFrUfj84uqW8ojNNlX4A75X1gSptI5wPI7xgUHSELmodG18zwYdFAEYEM1xbZYcdhhMr_-jbq4O48tTxUATI6mgpSNiGwXOAbobcBp8I8VIbuKUP/s320/403692729_10224574025957707_886608219958323861_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Zelda meeting her brother Dwayne<br /> for the first time</span>. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I know that this was particularly difficult for Dwayne since he was raised by a man who was not his biological father. As far as he is concerned Donald will always be his <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="07c7f111-1a52-43bb-90ad-9f1d4981aa16">father. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8f5e8e46-6815-4caa-960f-6013036b3fcb">Our shock at discovering that we had known each other for so long was mutual.</wt-ignore> "In fact, I <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="bbbaea66-d070-43f1-8aac-d63fb5978e69">took photographs</wt-ignore> at Donald's funeral, <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="35963e00-d97b-47a7-ba5e-4bfb8633b3a9">and I would</wt-ignore> never have <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="cf9c5244-a7cb-451e-93a4-2ec0a568ea4a">imagined photographing</wt-ignore> my own brother. There was a part of me that wanted to run and scream at the same time." <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a148f81e-4000-491c-857b-742067c22199">Our minds were overwhelmed by the amount of information we had to digest, let alone process</wt-ignore></div><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="cc56ef30-7e06-4ffc-8d51-5e44956209ae" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="662bcc58-a5e0-4135-b37a-1842af815158">After several phone conversations, we decided to meet in person.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="270e8e24-3b0e-4880-9dbd-ee8fdc7a5d80">We scheduled a dinner meeting in New Orleans.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3ef31087-c591-4d14-a347-d3bab09618f0">We were both eagerly anticipating meeting on October 5.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="411a4fbd-cada-4900-93ba-40b3b6b58d17">I was the first to arrive at their location.</wt-ignore> Amid excitement, I didn't know if I could have waited for <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="61700326-128e-47bd-b252-0abc5918c70b">another</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2a6c7b8e-07b7-47cc-9ae5-e1d7bf791487">moment. He</wt-ignore> finally walked through that door with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren. I met my niece LaShay and her two beautiful children and Dwayne's beautiful wife Sherrice</p><div style="text-align: justify;">With open arms, we embraced one another in tears. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="07df5009-6d08-4e69-96a9-5a82a626b831">We held onto each other as if we were afraid to lose each other again. </wt-ignore>Family members <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3b4a53f2-d88d-41db-a84d-66b62cd088dc">wept</wt-ignore> with joy and happiness for Dwayne. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b58eda14-d94a-4b73-9736-4403f780c563">The only brother he had by his mother had passed away years ago.</wt-ignore> He thought he was alone all this time, but <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8d14c400-28fd-4dd5-8d53-a4490c09d26d">now he</wt-ignore> has siblings. I created a <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8f31e387-0fdd-47f1-be93-f2283d1e4191">Facebook</wt-ignore> page to bring us all together to share photographs, stories, <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8856bdc5-de9e-4cc1-a66e-d6b52cb3691a">and build</wt-ignore> a relationship with each other. Soon <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f47212fb-2add-48b0-85fc-6e299feb33ee">afterwards,</wt-ignore> plans were made to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="98cef34e-d2f0-45d6-97f9-6d3688b29209">meet Zelda</wt-ignore> and Patrick in Houston, Texas. </div><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="a4b60418-695c-4114-bff3-6dbcc6e782d7" style="text-align: justify;">Once again, I was the <span style="text-align: left;">first to arrive. I wanted it to be this way to capture Dwayne meeting his sister and brother. </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="9f62ab00-929b-4a35-97de-37b5d8e20913">A tear of joy filled Zelda's eyes when she saw her big brother.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> Patrick told us he cried before he got there so he managed himself well. "We laughed, talked, and took tons of pictures that evening. We shared stories and reminisced about old times. It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget. Patrick, Dwayne and I attended the same schools." </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="46296c11-d364-43ea-aa09-93d165470da8">Dwayne's daughter and Patrick's daughter attended the same school.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="b21dc807-9835-4ab0-977e-f150295e6d26">In fact, they</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> were already friends on Facebook. </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="46dfd7f2-7f0e-4a3b-b8bb-87b872627a4a">The fact that we were so close to each other and were unaware that we were siblings has shocked us all.</wt-ignore></p><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8219896f-2115-4f5c-b5da-b1376d787d70"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8d21ad09-a57c-47cd-9437-4a7ce4a65b37" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxoJRyUZ_X0vUjk_VAzuLYvNY_FRPSfBiQCeOKVaVQRGnYZPUoEPfexaKvtnV77YQyTIWYC87q4kiEW3TE17EXjHXOwFvMtYm4uf44QKC8MT1nwg0JS2X1OWMBlcoAVEJPTLyXKdJGVANt1nmjBWZCJ6PVojpaQmjDhZcRKVU0AT3X3blODisygXRJoiv/s2048/403748699_10224574012597373_2049502226883912371_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxoJRyUZ_X0vUjk_VAzuLYvNY_FRPSfBiQCeOKVaVQRGnYZPUoEPfexaKvtnV77YQyTIWYC87q4kiEW3TE17EXjHXOwFvMtYm4uf44QKC8MT1nwg0JS2X1OWMBlcoAVEJPTLyXKdJGVANt1nmjBWZCJ6PVojpaQmjDhZcRKVU0AT3X3blODisygXRJoiv/s320/403748699_10224574012597373_2049502226883912371_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Patrick and Dwayne</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">We all agreed to accept without judgement and questions. The most beautiful <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="4c9286d4-43f2-4885-8d89-0b4a3b84e26c">things we have</wt-ignore> each other. It was <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a1d666d3-9b1e-4c63-9469-8090c76c1402">a very powerful</wt-ignore> reminder of the power of family and how unconditional acceptance can bring people <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8c13271e-7ac5-4be4-bdba-b55069bb0f53">together. Dwayne</wt-ignore> felt accepted and supported and we were all grateful for that. It was a special <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="040c3719-c7aa-44f9-8011-75b78f100a1c">evening that</wt-ignore> we will all cherish. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9bfdcfc3-a895-4f20-b6e9-01a83200e52a">There is a moral to this story: If you are not ready to accept the truth about your DNA, please do not take it, you never know what it will reveal.</wt-ignore> My siblings and I embrace each other with love and open arms. Patrick was delighted to get a brother and so was Dwayne. The two brothers later had a visit and Zelda met Dwayne son D.J. </div><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="48844214-a82d-42eb-b4e8-3a1affab61ad"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="a03ff975-0eeb-480f-99c0-00ada1b594ee" style="text-align: justify;">The strange thing is that Dwayne and I <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="44e42dd6-079d-4e39-ab65-1666b7d5052d">are both interested</wt-ignore> in photography and filmmaking. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="ba9e9e97-391b-4787-b079-28027d2a5104">We both take many pictures and film of our family and events.</wt-ignore> We share our work and help each <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="af36542f-f74a-4713-bd86-6aae15e9da5f">other perfect</wt-ignore> our techniques. Maintaining contact and bonding is something we plan to <span aria-label="open issue for the following text continue working" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="dcdde871-803d-4d7c-8ae2-4a743e573cf9" data-testid="issue-underline:work">continue working</span> on. We are excited to having each.</p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-47842779108983589212024-01-15T14:37:00.000-08:002024-01-15T14:45:33.593-08:00Local farmers and the SU AG Center distributed fresh produce on MLK Day in Kentwood, LA.<p><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1e58280e-0001-489d-b609-58f41c1c48e1"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVsvPUqjySAXWvGxDPHQ-0bPbUABkC3AWRcDneZwG7nGWBk5MXr3rrmaRPTirb-Kwvep_J1y87koXa082QPYAWHb2VgHN8QTm-39mdSOIFR1jaiLXxEI8USUHk7yorZ2ZC0f1Bm6WKfqTAtl3TGH5vMO3DIG_oSv3nYX43t3b0sU31NNvMS1UvMVor6SF/s640/thumbnail-5.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVsvPUqjySAXWvGxDPHQ-0bPbUABkC3AWRcDneZwG7nGWBk5MXr3rrmaRPTirb-Kwvep_J1y87koXa082QPYAWHb2VgHN8QTm-39mdSOIFR1jaiLXxEI8USUHk7yorZ2ZC0f1Bm6WKfqTAtl3TGH5vMO3DIG_oSv3nYX43t3b0sU31NNvMS1UvMVor6SF/s320/thumbnail-5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ACCFA and Southern University AG Center<br />Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Angus Cattle Community Farmers, Inc., Southern University AG Center, Tri-Parish Vegetables Farmers, and Nurturing Our Roots for giving back to the community on MLK Day in Kentwood, Louisiana. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9e074c79-9ad9-4823-80a5-dbf2cbdf2a37">Twenty bags, as well as warm hats and gloves, were donated.</wt-ignore> Tri-Parish Vegetable Growers donated fresh turnip greens <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9bf7a61f-f910-4163-9922-d867159af78d">from their</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b6767a41-d3e5-4e61-a20d-a84b7caf35ac">garden. Thank</wt-ignore> you for all the contributions made by Irma T. Thompson, Town of Kentwood Mayor, and members <span aria-label="open issue for the following text of the Kentwood" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="0cc92a6a-8d1e-49d5-8396-26b4e11f62a3" data-testid="issue-underline:of Kentwood">of the Kentwood</span> Town <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ff384006-4388-4a9e-87ed-0aa741ec290a">Council. Nicholas</wt-ignore> Muse, Assistant Area Agent, ANR at <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6d74a9d3-8644-4bfd-b63a-670a1428ac15">Agricultural Research</wt-ignore> and Extension Center <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f899d659-29e8-4eb9-a6e3-eba8a841d76b">provided</wt-ignore> the hats, gloves, <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6f09c58c-3b58-4ee2-add5-9d2bc487eb0e">and healthy</wt-ignore> lunch containers <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e39d3eb9-73f5-4148-ab2d-e75dc28a0918">for</wt-ignore> everyone in attendance. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Considering the rising cost of groceries across the country, everyone was grateful to receive these bags. This is what Dr. King won't the leaders and people to continue. Poverty and economic injustice still plaque <span style="text-align: left;">Dr. King</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="63b574b5-919f-4728-91f6-bcc79327175e">wanted leaders</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">and people to continue serving the poor</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="8d63256b-21c2-44cd-a830-b7a5881fc858">and the unserved.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="1e2c4ece-45d3-48e0-9246-030e34cb5ab9">The issue of poverty and economic injustice persists. </wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;">Dr. King's legacy lives on</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" style="text-align: left;" uuid="4457de46-605d-482a-a8be-7aba273b154e">in the work of these</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">organizations that</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="2024c9e9-e87f-43fa-b4a0-be54005df88e">fight</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="df417001-3ba9-4a41-b912-acf395b849c0">for</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">economic justice and</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="f4575cf9-ae15-4b07-b82e-e231f2da0418">marginalized rights.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">His dream of a nation where everyone has a fair chance to succeed is still relevant today.</span>These items arrived just in time for the harsh winter <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="dbb2a738-95e5-4ebf-9953-9d4b4b79b094">weather expected</wt-ignore> to arrive in our area <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="10486be6-f99b-4ab7-b2df-f34c7f69cda6">soon. </wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="10486be6-f99b-4ab7-b2df-f34c7f69cda6">The </wt-ignore>generosity of these organizations was a true act of kindness and will be remembered. Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a consultant for the non-profit organization said that we need to carry out the life works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e82eb3df-0ba2-4275-8d8d-c76ebbce4d2a">The consultant for the non-profit organization, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, emphasized that the life works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. need to continue to be carried out in the present day.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d9385b8e-05b4-4269-ad7a-8b72ed6c625d">King stated in his eulogy that he did not wish to be remembered for all the degrees and awards he had received.</wt-ignore> It was <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b229244f-0866-4d5c-9d6e-3ff78ba38065">meaningful</wt-ignore> to him to be remembered for feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, and visiting those in prison. "<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="30c9f90c-59b8-41c4-ab56-dc6aaf781331">For decades, we have marched symbolically. Now is the time to act," said Harrell.</wt-ignore><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnZ8rqPQhM2ReoKF3B7oKKxou6vGaz5lX1Q2Z3fULCMnSrVf1Ah-_3gLMMcT_CWrgsP56JpdkYjYUgKuJj_neV7MzgE849_OF0ctFKXsoNa6eFs1eAln0V_xGrAOinmlYvzgsOJaTwyPXPTgPw5Zp50bzu2eLzsojvFmXjgDQNPGEQcuRn_uvJrJDPtT/s640/thumbnail-6.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnZ8rqPQhM2ReoKF3B7oKKxou6vGaz5lX1Q2Z3fULCMnSrVf1Ah-_3gLMMcT_CWrgsP56JpdkYjYUgKuJj_neV7MzgE849_OF0ctFKXsoNa6eFs1eAln0V_xGrAOinmlYvzgsOJaTwyPXPTgPw5Zp50bzu2eLzsojvFmXjgDQNPGEQcuRn_uvJrJDPtT/w345-h284/thumbnail-6.jpeg" width="345" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Craig Coleman, Founder of Tri-Parish Vegetable Farmer<br />Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="1b3ba1d7-87d3-479d-9cc9-60b845e65e32"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="57e59dae-0ebb-4675-8cf3-f57e23984344"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="70080ea8-154f-4e11-93b4-a4456f06517d" style="text-align: justify;"><span aria-label="open issue for the following text The MLK" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="c021baf1-6ee7-4324-991b-b2a2cc8aaf1f" data-testid="issue-underline:The MLK"></span></p><span aria-label="open issue for the following text The MLK" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="c021baf1-6ee7-4324-991b-b2a2cc8aaf1f" data-testid="issue-underline:The MLK"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span aria-label="open issue for the following text The MLK" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="c021baf1-6ee7-4324-991b-b2a2cc8aaf1f" data-testid="issue-underline:The MLK">The MLK</span> Day event was organized by Mayor Irma T. <span aria-label="open issue for the following text Thompson," class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="a1f52748-266b-4961-9e35-725c4483e226" data-testid="issue-underline:Thompson. It was">Thompson,</span> chaired by Councilwoman Jakoiya Wilkerson, the Kentwood Town Council, and Dr. Antoinette Harrell. The event included a day of service to those in need. E. Don Wilson the events Keynote speaker delivered the eulogy for Dr. Kings and talked about community involvement and low <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5ab7a7ab-06fd-4c05-aef4-1ff9b768a4d1">voter</wt-ignore> turnout this year. The speaker spoke about how people during the civil rights era sacrificed their lives to exercise their right to <span aria-label="open issue for the following text vote. This" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="f4289643-1259-4533-aa97-979b26523247" data-testid="issue-underline:vote. This">vote. This</span> year's <span aria-label="open issue for the following text theme: Shiting" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="73105c7d-2d1f-4fb6-8ba7-2be13e5a3dd0" data-testid="issue-underline:topic is Shifting">theme: Shifting</span> the Cultural Climate <span aria-label="open issue for the following text Through The" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="9090f62f-8d4b-444f-abbb-ead132ac58a8" data-testid="issue-underline:Through The">Through The</span> Study <span aria-label="open issue for the following text of Practice of Kingian" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="ac07fb20-883a-4039-a690-9ea124773455" data-testid="issue-underline:of Kingian">of Practice of Kingian</span> Nonviolence. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="513778ec-3492-4814-a3c3-aa4efb37b3ec">Wilson explained why Dr. King advocated nonviolence.</wt-ignore> Because Dr. King understood that violence <span aria-label="open issue for the following text brings on" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="81e24737-c69e-4eea-8b6a-e2984d19c453" data-testid="issue-underline:causes">brings on</span> more violence. </div></span><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="c6b5f58d-1f24-454f-aa3f-406a18f5b0b5"></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="cedd993c-c6c9-4416-a640-5ceb47b52fc3" style="text-align: justify;">The event concluded with the distribution of fresh <span aria-label="open issue for the following text produce," class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="c6980027-cc34-48de-bc38-3ccef7aec82a" data-testid="issue-underline:produce">produce,</span> and winter items. The mayor presented awards <span aria-label="open issue for the following text to members of the community for" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="36a5ffd5-adaa-44d6-aca3-65626e2d0d3d" data-testid="issue-underline:to community members for">to members of the community for</span> their service and dedication to the community. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1170a396-0b41-4ad5-991a-80b0c71a64e1">The day was also marked by a ceremony honoring Dr. King and other civil rights leaders.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="af08ca8f-47f9-4637-a5da-44853ce23378">Several local politicians, faith leaders, and members of the community attended the event.</wt-ignore></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xelwemK9sn6BNaGAuBiHhxsJ3olV1q4k7kcDnZLLpBBGCpyGX6naf7YFYsf7Hhq3b-FB3vvygi1ODNU1RvsCzH43QVKB6nMHWSuWcoewOOz7COnqpjNSagP-xVWhQGPWFNbQoS8UqbX9f3dnatUVNGnY2vQRLOVXIOI8mQ9JfBK3srWdcZcEuMZKSQt5/s853/thumbnail-7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xelwemK9sn6BNaGAuBiHhxsJ3olV1q4k7kcDnZLLpBBGCpyGX6naf7YFYsf7Hhq3b-FB3vvygi1ODNU1RvsCzH43QVKB6nMHWSuWcoewOOz7COnqpjNSagP-xVWhQGPWFNbQoS8UqbX9f3dnatUVNGnY2vQRLOVXIOI8mQ9JfBK3srWdcZcEuMZKSQt5/s320/thumbnail-7.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nicholas Muse<br />Assistant Area Agent, ANR at Southern University<br />Agricultural Research and Extension Center<br />Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-43445006180715981942024-01-09T21:11:00.000-08:002024-01-11T14:38:13.352-08:00Using social media to share family photographs with family members<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGs35mwsvj3DJ75XxFXfVZmP3xShWHy7tBJnkdcFsAjwxv8vWt8RP1R4IVPC3XcrZ2hWLYOuxjlTUfMU2VQrH5Am6RDCDtN5QjBUlGrBZJFmpKOH7Fx4u4yG0oif4h1-WI2AlQEzdy8kvRyP0BBPzi6Ms9Vzt5b9At8SwI1vvW6bbyZD_PbawnKJDwEDN/s2048/Boxes.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGs35mwsvj3DJ75XxFXfVZmP3xShWHy7tBJnkdcFsAjwxv8vWt8RP1R4IVPC3XcrZ2hWLYOuxjlTUfMU2VQrH5Am6RDCDtN5QjBUlGrBZJFmpKOH7Fx4u4yG0oif4h1-WI2AlQEzdy8kvRyP0BBPzi6Ms9Vzt5b9At8SwI1vvW6bbyZD_PbawnKJDwEDN/s320/Boxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Antoinette Harrell Photograph Collection</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;">This time of year, I spend considerable time reviewing files. </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="d1d856ba-8374-4abe-b048-1872c39daa4f">My focus this time was on the family photographs.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> I share my family photographs on social media to keep them safe for </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="9a31c962-4673-421c-bc25-95e34d2d3a06">others.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="e55143fe-6503-4311-9f24-61ae8ebbce7c">It is simply a matter of downloading the image.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="e1a4dd8f-3f3e-4f2c-b4c6-74ce78ba97e8">It can be printed or stored in the iCloud.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> Not only do I have my collection, but I also have my mother's collection after she </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="d085587e-4da8-413f-aa09-51c2d87f1d4f">died.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="cc4a569b-59d1-455b-b5d6-22dfa5840840">Thanks to my brother Micheal, I can now preserve her collection and share it with my family.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: justify;" uuid="12eb443b-6c92-4a2d-b32c-526e021afcf8">As far as he was concerned, he knew exactly who should receive them.</wt-ignore><p></p><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="0ba3cfd9-28d9-41eb-8d80-159fe7fc37c5" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="33d6bf20-dfeb-4284-8f00-6b7417429d6d">Furthermore, giving photographs to family members while I am still able to do so is extremely important to me.</wt-ignore> It is not uncommon for photographs to be disposed of after a person has passed <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f780d2cf-618d-4074-8d80-a38ef525693e">away. This is</wt-ignore> because the person <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ba3d81ac-0310-4626-a5c1-a27d9187fb0f">browsing</wt-ignore> through the items may not recognize the person or people in the picture <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="897239dd-5259-439c-8270-bf36063378c9">and discard</wt-ignore> them. I want to ensure that my family members will have these memories to cherish long before I die. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="aa919248-bcc4-4b17-a8ab-a5f18af2a7a9">It is for this reason that I have decided to share my photos with my family and give them to them.</wt-ignore> My goal is to preserve our family legacy for future generations.</p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="0ba3cfd9-28d9-41eb-8d80-159fe7fc37c5" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: start;">When I </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="f07c1295-aa77-4523-aa54-f2dc696fc728">share photographs</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> online. </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="fef461a2-fdb6-4f00-a4a2-d2b811eb0257">Knowing that the photograph will be preserved gives me a sense of release.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="7f4d1de6-f38f-4a3c-89ff-541e4f0b3a80">I regularly hear people say that the family photographs were thrown away or that the person who has them does not wish to share them with other family members.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="28b16150-071f-456b-b63b-41335ddb479a">This makes me sad, as these photos are often the only tangible reminders of our ancestors. We should all strive to make a conscious effort to treasure and pass on these precious memories for future generations.</wt-ignore></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-67145042217292347642023-12-29T18:58:00.000-08:002023-12-29T19:08:59.551-08:00Cheryl Stamant recalls her mother's handmade vintage doilies and scarves <p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="897d59f7-0cca-4c6f-ac31-8c5dfe9c31ee" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ac5fb309-c07a-4eee-9f07-b4b3d98b2b67"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cZ442sgtP8CdVw46wgdJNhBsFqU60A09GaIVrffHFmMsTyAzHPBMZcMpuOM39Lm50vt4rpOI-xMb0s0D8o7EarNVogcRYT-8xM1KbRvfw-1VOh8GoYOjHaO56aW68bZ-Wl4Dgx-jmH88E6zQT7Jr6I8ucNoLQcN4iNM6JccDlpbFJGkc0iUsXSY_uhKW/s425/83723256_10216289124680353_5922413155589292032_n%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cZ442sgtP8CdVw46wgdJNhBsFqU60A09GaIVrffHFmMsTyAzHPBMZcMpuOM39Lm50vt4rpOI-xMb0s0D8o7EarNVogcRYT-8xM1KbRvfw-1VOh8GoYOjHaO56aW68bZ-Wl4Dgx-jmH88E6zQT7Jr6I8ucNoLQcN4iNM6JccDlpbFJGkc0iUsXSY_uhKW/s320/83723256_10216289124680353_5922413155589292032_n%202.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Catherine Harrell Lewis</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>I</span>t's human nature to share stories about our families. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="cdc92518-6797-4eaa-904c-0fdaea99dd98">This morning, I spoke with my maternal first cousin Cheryl.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e7b4e4ba-16ac-41b0-a866-d0b02d95ca00">During our conversations, we somehow take a trip down memory lane.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="04835353-a910-4663-a814-82c4d912ccb5">My mother Isabell and Cheryl's mother Catherine were sisters.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="570e69d2-cecd-4ff9-952e-b92fa85bc63a">During our childhood, we spent a great deal of time together.</wt-ignore> Cheryl and her family lived primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana, while my family lived on my maternal great-grandmother's homestead in Amite, Louisiana. Cheryl and her siblings often visited us during the holidays <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="62093931-d537-4fea-9067-d0a713a9acf2">and summer.</wt-ignore> Later Cheryl and her family moved back to Amite, La., where her mother grew up.</div></span><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="897d59f7-0cca-4c6f-ac31-8c5dfe9c31ee" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6c7ace4b-c22c-4b85-a763-0ab2dc5378bc">My brothers and I would be so happy to see our cousins and play with them.</wt-ignore> We would pick blackberries plums, peaches, pears, black walnuts on the homestead. We enjoyed exploring and <span aria-label="open issue for the following text go on hikes" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="6594e5ee-ba4d-439b-8beb-152a741c6567" data-testid="issue-underline:hike">hiking</span> in the woods. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="afe6d3c4-3a6f-4c56-a0d8-d87cd5cda478">We </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8542d1c6-ff5d-46d4-a45e-e22f51885e73">spent</wt-ignore> the whole day <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6cad6d08-6642-43dd-b1b4-be4b2ce91bf7">together</wt-ignore> laughing and playing. It was one of the <span aria-label="open issue for the following text best" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="730fea09-2cf8-4933-b05f-c927243a51cf" data-testid="issue-underline:most memorable">best</span> memories I have of my childhood. Despite the amount of time we spent together, I didn't know her mother enjoyed <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ba4561f5-2031-4982-8895-891169df11ba">crocheting lace</wt-ignore> scarves and <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="86ed4ca4-2e42-4bed-98c3-0f52c029091d">doilies.</wt-ignore> She recalled how her mother <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="998df5f9-fe8a-491e-93e1-66aec4f65dd4">crocheted beautiful</wt-ignore> handmade vintage <span aria-label="open issue for the following text scarves and" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="c6a1f7c5-bf8f-4e46-9190-1139674647bb" data-testid="issue-underline:scarves and">scarves and</span> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1fe939be-54c1-4632-a345-33edb5c991f8">doilies. During</wt-ignore> the 1930s to 1960s the vintage beauties adorned many homes. "Mother used to take the scarves when she was finished making them and dip them in Argo <span aria-label="open issue for the following text starch and" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="9330f9ff-5282-44f0-9bc1-9ea2638dc1c0" data-testid="issue-underline:starch. She would">starch and</span> wrap them in a towel and place them in the freezer and then iron them <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a2cbbc51-eef2-4ea9-bb1c-1ae8c91f5291">stiff," said Cheryl. Some</wt-ignore> of the doilies held beautiful vases that sat on the tables she said. </p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="9e4c8179-8ad8-4a27-8215-3e7d7791f53f" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileZvtR4l_P0F15Mqo7p-CeeuXB885GnU6woHh1ChyphenhyphenUaytTdGnIxALYpaX6Jpx_ag2H4_Zdk0vdH6h0xHClA5AomqN7TQ0V5hxFLoIOj_GFbDIdbLrxn-ZhiTlTVMdc0Rr_UEjPd2FwJfsM8Aw2GuJn9XfsIi3k7trpvK0SkuMoMw7o69ryHpFfb6NS3rI/s1463/411262959_10224652689084236_2320179372435315649_n%202.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1409" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileZvtR4l_P0F15Mqo7p-CeeuXB885GnU6woHh1ChyphenhyphenUaytTdGnIxALYpaX6Jpx_ag2H4_Zdk0vdH6h0xHClA5AomqN7TQ0V5hxFLoIOj_GFbDIdbLrxn-ZhiTlTVMdc0Rr_UEjPd2FwJfsM8Aw2GuJn9XfsIi3k7trpvK0SkuMoMw7o69ryHpFfb6NS3rI/w273-h283/411262959_10224652689084236_2320179372435315649_n%202.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheryl Stamant</td></tr></tbody></table><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b1548534-3d2a-4c9e-9200-c924f78bb3c6"><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b1548534-3d2a-4c9e-9200-c924f78bb3c6">Many women called her to inquire about the handmade beauties.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b15dd095-5f35-4e94-acba-71384d20e1a9">Cheryl spoke about her mother's talents.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="718a646b-1e09-40bc-8788-ca78609fdd2a">Cooking was another of her talents.</wt-ignore> S<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3d3fcd7d-0ff1-49b4-9c2c-77ad6bb8d4ed">he mentioned the blackberry dumplings and her cooking.</wt-ignore> I knew my aunt was <span aria-label="open issue for the following text a good" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="1f056863-41e7-4d7b-8f51-5cfe943a163b" data-testid="issue-underline:an excellent">a good</span> cook but I was unaware that she <span aria-label="open issue for the following text enjoyed the art of crocheting." class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="f380219d-7387-4b73-ada3-741a5fb64ebf" data-testid="issue-underline:enjoyed crocheting.">enjoyed the art of crocheting.</span> I was surprised to learn that she <span aria-label="open issue for the following text had a talent for crocheting." class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="81937521-707d-4bed-a4eb-cccc0e6dbdee" data-testid="issue-underline:crocheted.">had a talent for crocheting.</span> I wish I could <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="524ab3d3-ea63-44d4-90d1-053f2dffbb5d">see the intricate</wt-ignore> patterns and designs she made. I really <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ed4adcc6-b0ba-4105-b3e5-862f229f08c7">enjoyed</wt-ignore> Cheryl sharing beautiful memories of her mother with me. </div></wt-ignore><p></p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="4aa943b5-5906-4f55-a19a-cec55aad2e71" style="text-align: justify;">It's not unusual to find vintage handmade crocheted scarves and doilies in antique shops <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="cf16a4ee-6553-4829-92f9-b5f77a73ba10">and estate sales across</wt-ignore> the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d8691c94-2d94-455c-943d-ffc5a8b0f3f9">country. When</wt-ignore> I see them, I can't help but think about the hands that made them. Cheryl express how she wish she had just one of the vintage beauties made by her mother's hands.</p><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="4aa943b5-5906-4f55-a19a-cec55aad2e71" style="text-align: justify;">I love hearing stories like these because it helps me to appreciate life more and to remember to cherish the special moments I have with my family and friends. I am grateful for Cheryl's stories and for reminding me of the special people in my life. Sharing beautiful stories of your dear loved one help to keep their memory alive. I wanted to ensure that what she share with me can be shared with others members of our family who was unaware of her crocheting skills. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq19UQM6ACHssSHNl0z_2qa4821w7CAggLFlMxoxgPjbgfw3oEma1ZaIi-oBA4nps01rDY5yz44zpGrLNdlSf5WCuJSCc_owVxj51Fb7zQkQa_k_-WWrivfAOvUQYdt7YYfAyAfIw935YS1e6huwx5mwKObkGUrTMRuM1UZ38wjrwksH5n_lYBXhBKgY3M/s1182/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-29%20at%208.27.18%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1182" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq19UQM6ACHssSHNl0z_2qa4821w7CAggLFlMxoxgPjbgfw3oEma1ZaIi-oBA4nps01rDY5yz44zpGrLNdlSf5WCuJSCc_owVxj51Fb7zQkQa_k_-WWrivfAOvUQYdt7YYfAyAfIw935YS1e6huwx5mwKObkGUrTMRuM1UZ38wjrwksH5n_lYBXhBKgY3M/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-29%20at%208.27.18%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="pb-2 min-w-[1px]" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="4aa943b5-5906-4f55-a19a-cec55aad2e71" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-5047958859533316032023-09-27T18:35:00.007-07:002023-09-27T18:37:29.860-07:00Alberta Irving and Ralph "Kid" Irving owned a grocery store and gas station in the 1950s. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif67mOXVCM_6YuWYabZFhZmo1a9j6wsUuxUdsfHCzJOTl9DxyWTnczzIYpJmZ-Ekuf6dUu_2B8_wvG6dDbPUiYnjY8nji7dvjVFjcw3naCy-VjLT1eF7viPKLMrNb_iOPOXspeZ0BcExM5OoIRTmTUZW_j3kNbuXwLPbdpZVMqAV22woz1cesTFqSsS0F5/s960/380662297_10224229396462185_8299214807330527327_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif67mOXVCM_6YuWYabZFhZmo1a9j6wsUuxUdsfHCzJOTl9DxyWTnczzIYpJmZ-Ekuf6dUu_2B8_wvG6dDbPUiYnjY8nji7dvjVFjcw3naCy-VjLT1eF7viPKLMrNb_iOPOXspeZ0BcExM5OoIRTmTUZW_j3kNbuXwLPbdpZVMqAV22woz1cesTFqSsS0F5/s320/380662297_10224229396462185_8299214807330527327_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kid and Alberta Irving Grocery Store and Gas Station<br />Roseland, LA<br />Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Taking photographs of farm animals grazing in pastures or in <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2d71be09-f879-428e-b44d-bbefa594dcbf">picturesque</wt-ignore> meadows with colorful flowers and greenery on back roads in the early morning or midday is one of my favorite activities in the spring or summer. Photographs of those <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="606931ff-6e3a-4d34-bcb8-f37ced7ae6d7">breathtaking</wt-ignore> landscapes would make excellent greeting cards and postcards. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a599bcd6-33a8-40c5-aa23-e05196442843">On a beautiful evening, I decided to take a back road in Roseland, Louisiana, instead of taking the interstate.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="fba2833c-2752-47b6-990b-288447bfb744">As I rode along a beautiful back road, I noticed a tiny wooden building with a single gas pump.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ba6098eb-73b3-4c17-9bc9-5747251201da">I observed a gas pump that looked like it was from the early 1950s.</wt-ignore></div><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="65a44876-db40-47c8-8795-84ea1a85d1e1" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="76aeca6e-de7f-4599-ba4e-c3f118fc71d3">Since I did not have my camera with me, I used my phone to take the photograph.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="33107c25-7e0f-4fac-87a9-a1c6ed570db7">What is the history of the building?</wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="5ac8f494-b7e6-48ae-ab3e-9b8e577514f0"> </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="27202e8a-a8ee-45f8-a205-256a281aa75d">My intention was to post the image on Facebook to see if anyone was familiar with the building's history.</wt-ignore> A couple of people who saw the picture started <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2b431fb2-6986-4bb2-8206-86452ec384a6">talking about the picture</wt-ignore> and sharing memories of the place. One of those people was a woman named Lorraine Deamer Lizana who shared her memories. "This is the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c1a5162d-7ffd-4a79-8aa9-e918fe788f76">store owned</wt-ignore> by my Aunt Alberta and Uncle Ralph "Kid" Irving on Washington Avenue," said Lorraine. </p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="b21b41ce-5f9a-4520-af35-e478ed615b3b" style="text-align: justify;">"This store was built at least in the 50s because I remember it as a child. I lived down the gravel road about 1/8 <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8bcfb5fe-86b5-4507-8828-03ec7f9c11e0">mile from</wt-ignore>them. Uncle Kid drove the school <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="fc4d2d83-7880-497b-bb99-2068521ad778">bus. They</wt-ignore> were also farmers. Me and my cousin picked green beans and strawberries for them. Aunt Alberta would go to Amite to sell fruits and vegetables from the back of her pickup truck. She operated the grocery store in the picture selling dry goods, candy, dill pickles, pop, lunch meat, canned goods, Stage Planks, <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ecf9f6be-b60b-46f8-b25d-e5e9364fbab2">and</wt-ignore> other items. I remember my Mother Lena driving up to the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="00f3ed3d-9d2e-4ac7-bdd8-e30e30fde9aa">gas pump</wt-ignore> and asking for a "dollar's worth" of gas for their old Ford Car."</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f174f717-2f07-4692-9355-c80763fc4cbb" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="47c7ee24-2e19-4245-bd4c-b8f2aaa116e8">Mayor Wanda McCoy of Roseland commented on</wt-ignore> the image. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a0975498-0419-4edb-bd0e-0ae1f5e2939e">She confirmed that it was Aunt Alberta's and Uncle "Kid" Irving's grocery store.</wt-ignore> According to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="964730d3-f1da-4f79-90c7-2b46a49559b8">her, she</wt-ignore> had no idea it was still <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7b46f35c-4271-463d-9b2d-2fd6a43d6530">standing. I</wt-ignore> was intrigued to see that the post was shared thirty-three <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="467436fd-a21b-4fa4-8143-ccc9abe0ce51">times, which generated fifty-six comments, as well as</wt-ignore> one hundred and sixty-five likes. The Irving family <span aria-label="open issue for the following text was" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="ea6bb0eb-16f0-4ea2-8e5f-956b5abbc05d" data-testid="issue-underline:were">was</span> entrepreneurs and owned lots of land. </p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f174f717-2f07-4692-9355-c80763fc4cbb" style="text-align: justify;">Others who shared memories were Adoncia Blevins Dyson. She said her grandmother Clara Irving walked them by the building and told them stories about the good old days. Russel Madre said he photographed that old gas station a few times. Matter of fact, someone said that a picture of the old store and gas station can be found hanging up at North Oak Hospital in Hammond, LA.</p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-51411531090236666662023-09-25T18:05:00.040-07:002023-09-25T18:18:21.816-07:00Tangipahoa Parish local historian Dr. Antoinette Harrell is on a mission to explore all 64 Louisiana Parishes<p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ab2166d6-c0e4-48ff-b392-0e77e7038ea7"></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ab2166d6-c0e4-48ff-b392-0e77e7038ea7"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5119b1ca-b3f5-405c-8d9f-2198259f93df"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LH4jA3VqeHSLaw2xFwSNlshFnuz8SDh-rbGnMYkLcodtPoiR4bBngHSHiqtV595HyHW9Dk7ehy_aOAxfVFIdOvZAAhHX0A16uKMC5UNGhAbiC4Qv7rXUnBtvc4zAXi7s7OdkcfJmcTaeAmp783gAK01Pq7029_OM20vIeMyQ61fZsdB9qwIJJqZ-Rt-1/s2048/Swamps.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LH4jA3VqeHSLaw2xFwSNlshFnuz8SDh-rbGnMYkLcodtPoiR4bBngHSHiqtV595HyHW9Dk7ehy_aOAxfVFIdOvZAAhHX0A16uKMC5UNGhAbiC4Qv7rXUnBtvc4zAXi7s7OdkcfJmcTaeAmp783gAK01Pq7029_OM20vIeMyQ61fZsdB9qwIJJqZ-Rt-1/s320/Swamps.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Joyce Wildlife Swampwalk</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5119b1ca-b3f5-405c-8d9f-2198259f93df">Playing house and playing with baby dolls was not my favorite activity as a child.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6cefc784-3fe1-4532-9c1d-5ce2fe28b10c">I enjoyed exploring my family's twenty-acre property in Amite, Louisiana.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f72df6fc-cade-4557-bc5b-66ae5df48e30">Playing the role of an explorer was one of my favorite activities.</wt-ignore> The red clay pond was about sixty feet <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="21dc6c1c-24e0-4207-9adc-51672d88ab85">deep.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d3bf624d-94c2-4f16-be48-7b0d066e7e9e">We enjoyed climbing into the red clay pond and talking loudly to hear our echoes.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8ec4716c-aade-460c-80d8-612ee1922687">When our mother asked us where we had been, we could tell by the red dirt stains on our clothes.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="bdbdfd87-e84e-4c7d-adf5-57b362c729a4">In spite of the fact that she did not want us climbing into the pond.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f11611f3-97ea-4bdf-bf0c-8896bcbd04d8">In addition, she expressed concern about the snakes that live in the deep h</wt-ignore></div><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="61a8f6db-4d89-4b49-b1f1-ab995021dc0e" style="text-align: justify;">Just the idea of <span aria-label="open issue for the following text exploring" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="dcf60eef-1e39-42c1-9640-811dc95346df" data-testid="issue-underline:discovering">exploring</span> and taking <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="4229d15b-8032-42af-a750-991eded62619">an</wt-ignore> adventure was exciting enough for me. To <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="68224a84-b530-4ac4-9497-0726c156bd09">this day,</wt-ignore> I am still <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="df1ec01f-dc95-4690-9ee3-53f6947e62dc">exploring</wt-ignore> and taking adventures. Earlier this year, I decided <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="20186d91-014e-42f8-98ee-4356f72aa8c9">to</wt-ignore> explore all sixty-four Louisiana <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="548f0318-a0a6-465e-9797-2a25fd05c548">Parishes. So</wt-ignore> far I have <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="76abdaab-f78b-489e-853f-2a7a77d0b3b0">toured</wt-ignore> forty-nine parishes. I wanted to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="57492933-6b4a-4532-866d-4eb401fa5f08">explore the history,</wt-ignore> culture, food, music, museums, art galleries, and historic <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="29272010-10a5-4abc-97de-874fffe8f73b">sites. I also wanted to </wt-ignore>meet the local people who <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b9f233ff-4d6b-4cd7-8755-a2529d69d049">call</wt-ignore> Louisiana their home. I <span aria-label="open issue for the following text wanted" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-brand-default/50 hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="a3de0d25-aaff-4a6a-98d9-98ead423dd83" data-testid="issue-underline:hoped">wanted</span> to learn something about each parish so that I would leave with a <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="24ec5138-4638-4af4-b673-e93ce899895a">more comprehensive</wt-ignore> understanding of each parish and the state I call home. </p><div style="text-align: justify;">Whenever I visit the historic district, I find myself admiring the old buildings and Victorian homes. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f80f2988-d25a-499d-ab72-e15c12010236">I explore the little stores, eat at local diners and bakeries, and talk to the friendly locals. I also take the time to admire the natural beauty of the countryside. I find a sense of peace and tranquility on the back roads that I don't get on the interstate. </wt-ignore>As I started my journey, I was overwhelmed by the beauty, diversity, and vibrancy of Louisiana. I met wonderful people, experienced unique cultures, and gained a better understanding of my state. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to explore and adventure in Louisiana. Getting off the interstate and traveling the back roads <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="389152c2-9bd2-42ad-b4e2-358878d6c88c">offers</wt-ignore> so much to me. </div><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f80f2988-d25a-499d-ab72-e15c12010236"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n-vRcqajp-wQIRpergidUq0sxrlgUftZLw4bDnRzj4ecJPQ3R6klcyLgSlMgB0NEp2UE57DxY5z1Ub18uEWqZa19SV1m2BidXk3Xie1zkptcng5qul0eUBwGdhHuO94_ZhfEg4foBP-5WQy-OXMUIv-uN6ttAZ-atIZAofdOwauMj0OxLg9iEUjXCg57/s1507/347629518_801286977924338_3970874829591679235_n%202.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1507" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n-vRcqajp-wQIRpergidUq0sxrlgUftZLw4bDnRzj4ecJPQ3R6klcyLgSlMgB0NEp2UE57DxY5z1Ub18uEWqZa19SV1m2BidXk3Xie1zkptcng5qul0eUBwGdhHuO94_ZhfEg4foBP-5WQy-OXMUIv-uN6ttAZ-atIZAofdOwauMj0OxLg9iEUjXCg57/w222-h162/347629518_801286977924338_3970874829591679235_n%202.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Martin Swamp Tour</td></tr></tbody></table></wt-ignore><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="10d34e29-31bb-4db3-a7a6-22a2b8932992" style="text-align: justify;">I compare the northern part of the state to the south end <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="615dd9c4-f5a5-41ed-a2b9-529f6fb0d64a">of the state. I</wt-ignore> enjoy the contrast between the two areas. I also find a sense of serenity in the beauty of nature that both the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="843de9d0-502e-4dac-b362-583ca7af40b8">northern and</wt-ignore> <span aria-label="open issue for the following text the southern end" class="issue-underline underline decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default [.long-form-editing-active_&]:decoration-border-danger-default/50 hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="eb536bc4-7fdc-4fdf-b98e-0218a149be2e" data-testid="issue-underline:southern ends">the southern end</span> of the state <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6378815c-452e-4fef-a257-baaf1a9d5dc0">offer.</wt-ignore> With my Canon camera, iPhone, and iPad, I <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-dismissed" uuid="fe08a9e4-792b-42fc-a83b-1d20b8680f06">set out to take photographs of the</wt-ignore> scenery, people, events, wildlife, and other places. I share my images and my short documentary on all my social media platforms. Many people are thankful for the images and videos. They inspire me to keep sharing because it allows them to see places through my lenses and my journey. I'm passionate about capturing <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="242ca98f-c3ef-46cf-affd-88fe89b2818f">nature's beauty,</wt-ignore> and I <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="712a6b48-d5c5-4714-a07f-7efc7d0d05ce">hope my</wt-ignore> images can bring joy and inspiration to others. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences with <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="70a80b49-8e6c-4e53-95da-82396d9e1eff">others.</wt-ignore> I'm <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="46440ffd-dfc8-48c7-bd7a-e09f92b11b85">glad I</wt-ignore> can use my skills to bring attention to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="15a961e5-4b1f-44eb-a08e-5d749d7654ac">Louisiana's beauty.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="16a8293f-9b52-4753-80f5-c6122885c7ff" style="text-align: justify;">The next parishes I plan to visit are Cameron, Vermilion, Calcasieu, and Beauregard. Cameron is <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a5e1162e-fe14-444f-bd6c-489fb562a172">situated</wt-ignore> in <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ce4fc228-6d71-4e96-841c-4be7fd7f6ce9">Louisiana's southwest corner.</wt-ignore> Cameron Parish is the largest parish in the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ca330f25-a20d-40c9-9f72-2a5b18c417aa">state and is</wt-ignore> known for its abundance of wildlife, marshlands, and beautiful beaches. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="4ca055a1-ea5b-446e-bccb-201a03288922">Vermilion Parish is located to the northeast of Cameron Parish and is surrounded by the Vermilion River and the Gulf of Mexico. Calcasieu Parish is located to the south of Cameron Parish and is known for its vibrant economy and its many attractions. Beauregard Parish is located to the north of Cameron Parish and is known for its natural resources and outdoor activities.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="16a8293f-9b52-4753-80f5-c6122885c7ff" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDsgbQfsipyEPJhS6xXkA8pXtO3HQcfdllwZiLMjyYTZWI6C09fJ4d2oHAjNVenzZjsQWzQKOniuo7FZR8YMvMQaS_tW7CTw6lffugiAvyGe9PL8-JUs2wVJR6WlQEJ4Q4_gZFOlf0jtca6ac0263Z_YY408Hp3-1w4mWesvzhwqg3d5WKpvi1BxavHkD/s2048/274732464_10221100219594719_1155399829730855079_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDsgbQfsipyEPJhS6xXkA8pXtO3HQcfdllwZiLMjyYTZWI6C09fJ4d2oHAjNVenzZjsQWzQKOniuo7FZR8YMvMQaS_tW7CTw6lffugiAvyGe9PL8-JUs2wVJR6WlQEJ4Q4_gZFOlf0jtca6ac0263Z_YY408Hp3-1w4mWesvzhwqg3d5WKpvi1BxavHkD/s320/274732464_10221100219594719_1155399829730855079_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St. Francisville Museum<br />West Feliciana Parish</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="4ca055a1-ea5b-446e-bccb-201a03288922"><br /></wt-ignore><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ab2166d6-c0e4-48ff-b392-0e77e7038ea7"></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-19312752732344675112023-08-27T19:14:00.004-07:002023-08-27T19:19:40.581-07:00Harold J. Smith, Thruway Street Dedication and Recognition of Frank Edwards Substation<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsov006RhxhAkP4oUp1P9bfelC9BP4KzSuQPOTqIGlV7VPTwrEg3yCOc3FJXJ8I9vaYCq-zMtWGDJOjM0WUg0WpJckW2RyvQGIWB2zrbZ5fcEFNKaMdM_q8As3VAkfIWumZrICJO5NMWdUxOlJqWtYU3nKonoFFRFmijCvtIgVFE6QyWXu3dDCeYt1HYtg/s2048/367470711_682046603967025_6993966205254469059_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsov006RhxhAkP4oUp1P9bfelC9BP4KzSuQPOTqIGlV7VPTwrEg3yCOc3FJXJ8I9vaYCq-zMtWGDJOjM0WUg0WpJckW2RyvQGIWB2zrbZ5fcEFNKaMdM_q8As3VAkfIWumZrICJO5NMWdUxOlJqWtYU3nKonoFFRFmijCvtIgVFE6QyWXu3dDCeYt1HYtg/s320/367470711_682046603967025_6993966205254469059_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Renaming of the 9th Street<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">A street was named for Harold J. Smith, the first elected African-American official <span aria-label="open issue for the following text in the Town of Kentwood." class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="010ab07b-d76a-4623-867e-d1593f481f16" data-testid="issue-underline:in Kentwood.">in the Town of Kentwood.</span> He served as a council member for <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5f132bad-c64d-4294-abe9-fe943bb7d110">three</wt-ignore> terms before being <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c18407e5-b0f8-465e-a893-6ba2c17454ca">elected Mayor</wt-ignore> of Kentwood for three terms. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="dbc4bf3f-e341-4a37-b518-c07e46924ea8">During Smith's career, he served for a total of twenty-four years.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="960e4888-5d85-4358-9ff9-49e4a78a2944">As an advocate for equity and diversity, his legacy continues to be celebrated in the town.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="90a806ec-2b34-46fd-a8ca-6c5f47374212">Many people view Smith as an inspirational leader and a role model.</wt-ignore> As a memorial to his work and legacy, his name <span aria-label="open issue for the following text adorns what was known as 9th" class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="f9543f7f-b93e-42d2-91a2-9434b564e772" data-testid="issue-underline:adorns 9th">adorns what was known as 9th</span> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2773a1e9-cc19-4ce0-9c41-2b49c4f77879">Street. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2773a1e9-cc19-4ce0-9c41-2b49c4f77879">The</wt-ignore> <span aria-label="open issue for the following text new" class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="b0dd2e98-bcb8-4100-9912-d510bb3c0de0" data-testid="issue-underline:renamed">new</span> name <span aria-label="open issue for the following text is Harold" class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="74143ac8-6379-4f2c-9a5e-406d7547d817" data-testid="issue-underline:is the Harold">is Harold</span> J. Smith Thruway. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Every time someone passes by, they are reminded of his positive impact on the community. His memory will never be forgotten. Harold's example <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c9274a1f-cce8-44f3-823d-f2ada6c88346">reminds us</wt-ignore> that anyone can make a difference and that <span aria-label="open issue for the following text hard" class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="9b84cec4-dafa-489c-974e-a07dc9d8782f" data-testid="issue-underline:diligent">hard</span> work and dedication can pay off. He inspires future generations <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="616a3a86-7548-49f0-918e-bab661d2ad5e">and is a</wt-ignore> reminder that positive change is possible. Smith was delighted to see so many of his friends, colleagues, and family members. </p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="0c14e3ed-35cf-447d-9740-5bbf54b780d6" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="17d0f243-8faf-4cff-ac20-0add68c97da6">His legacy showed us that people can come together to achieve great things, no matter how small the action. We must remember his legacy and use it to continue to strive for progress and positive change.</wt-ignore> Smith's granddaughters unveiled the Harold J. Smith Thruway street sign. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5d2905cd-7494-4351-bd26-56dec6bde785">The event was attended by a number of elected officials. Mayor Irma T. Gordon welcome all the guest and attendee on behalf of the Town of Kentwood.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a962c2f1-0bf5-4477-8da2-437991cfde75">Representative Robby Carter and Senator Beth Mizell presented a resolution.</wt-ignore> Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller spoke about the greatness of our parish. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c92d3fc9-5eba-4fa6-a26b-f9613eb8622a">As a result of wildfires in several parishes, Governor John Bel Edwards was unable to attend the event.</wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7d8f8fa2-2a1c-4d7c-9d33-3927f4960e33"> </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d481d0e3-3dde-4fac-927c-f68ed6015345">In spite of the governor's absence, the event was a success. In his place a</wt-ignore> speech was delivered by State Senator Cleo Fields, District 14. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d481d0e3-3dde-4fac-927c-f68ed6015345"> </wt-ignore><spices></spices><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a3bf67ea-f729-4ae5-b107-7bcc032d0b74">Smith's life and achievements were truly celebrated.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ffd2db87-22ca-413b-a94e-cee79c837341">During the event, Smith spoke a few words.</wt-ignore> He concluded by thanking the attendees and expressing his gratitude. The event ended <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d2225043-9e66-4bea-9919-9e1bec4e2835">with applause</wt-ignore> and cheers.</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="4795ebe3-2ba0-4488-8406-3ade5fc98016"><spices-nudge></spices-nudge></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="af0d48d3-459b-4c54-aa84-4e2fe14e0599" style="text-align: justify;">In conjunction with the <span aria-label="open issue for the following text renaming of the street." class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="ab8e9c1e-ddf0-4e1a-9f80-46048ec4207b" data-testid="issue-underline:street renaming.">renaming of the street.</span> The Substation was named in honor of Frank Edwards, <span aria-label="open issue for the following text Sr., Collis" class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="aa993550-422e-475d-8b3d-6de373cf49ba" data-testid="issue-underline:Sr., Collis">Sr., Collis </span><span aria-label="open issue for the following text Temple.Jr.," class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-danger-default hover:bg-bg-danger-light-default" data-issueid="90afc4a9-4b85-44fb-b365-98a140204f46" data-testid="issue-underline:Temple Jr.,">Temple.Jr.,</span> recognized Frank Edwards, Sr., who served as sheriff for Tangipahoa Parish from 1968 to 1980. He also served as a delegate <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="46870ae1-ca3d-46c2-b0d9-5cd293623e0b">to the</wt-ignore> 1973 Louisiana Constitutional <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="52d8c6c1-2f62-4905-90e2-3cc0dab787fc">Convention. Edwards</wt-ignore> is the father of <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="77586ff9-f4f6-4f79-a529-a7a8108bd52b">Governor</wt-ignore> John Bel Edwards. All of his children were <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="651b88f3-08c9-494c-9cfe-14b5402d4cba">present</wt-ignore> <span aria-label="open issue for the following text except for Governor" class="issue-underline underline text-text-neutral-primary decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-border-brand-default hover:bg-bg-brand-light-default" data-issueid="cacf6ae7-d6ca-4cd2-94bb-24a819865dd9" data-testid="issue-underline:except Governor">except for Governor</span> Edwards. + His son Daniel Edwards spoke. </p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="4cb0954c-daa5-45e3-b53b-6f42cf975d84">. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIUbI2y9EQq_yvrDkoPfhbY8qYw3M5fFI4n7OPJcV7NlLz-MTQHRhIHzY4ep2kSZNijTAILVZ4iSwityxeCNyFM-w1M6r5RqI5QAOmvz1eLIyCOBmOEr9aS6hVsEwC--akT2XoqVSJDkljBsYyJQVgQGnmaIZA8YJ8oPKMB_Dhg0J8AuyfdwwHDjD2IjL/s2048/368471235_682048707300148_6940877563105344097_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIUbI2y9EQq_yvrDkoPfhbY8qYw3M5fFI4n7OPJcV7NlLz-MTQHRhIHzY4ep2kSZNijTAILVZ4iSwityxeCNyFM-w1M6r5RqI5QAOmvz1eLIyCOBmOEr9aS6hVsEwC--akT2XoqVSJDkljBsYyJQVgQGnmaIZA8YJ8oPKMB_Dhg0J8AuyfdwwHDjD2IjL/s320/368471235_682048707300148_6940877563105344097_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Harold J. Smith Thruway<br />Dedication Ceremony<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-67943609204873910542023-07-25T19:43:00.004-07:002023-07-25T19:44:43.241-07:00Agricultural education is a key focus of St. Helena AG for Kids<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwVPt8VWyFO3bkkNxBdetVLlIjgjPuWReGlQoD9kFMvPstPzepVZSrAauVcCQ2mDIrtc7VRCfLr1sGW8aHq7kL2KzfTWM4LXDD3XyTgNJrAc-7SIIO5cLBN0oe_Uohf2SEvSD6SL65Z-_6sGVR2D-fcqn4N8EUIEezb4fhWKoriKn4gNtejzeDg4FGXB0/s2048/361620485_1762348494217469_7274515702297500878_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwVPt8VWyFO3bkkNxBdetVLlIjgjPuWReGlQoD9kFMvPstPzepVZSrAauVcCQ2mDIrtc7VRCfLr1sGW8aHq7kL2KzfTWM4LXDD3XyTgNJrAc-7SIIO5cLBN0oe_Uohf2SEvSD6SL65Z-_6sGVR2D-fcqn4N8EUIEezb4fhWKoriKn4gNtejzeDg4FGXB0/s320/361620485_1762348494217469_7274515702297500878_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St. Helena AG Day<br />Photo Credit: Nicholas Muse</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Kids and agriculture play an important role in shaping the future of our food system. Teaching children about agriculture not only helps them understand where their food comes from but also instills in them a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the importance of sustainable farming practices. Nicholas Muse, Southern University Agricultural Center, Assistant Area Agent organized his first Ag event in Amite, Louisiana, The event was well attended and very successful. </div></span><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="df3af84c-636a-40e2-904d-a81e49ba879d" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2188d43e-f2a2-4aa5-8793-1febf60e09e5"><span style="font-family: times;">St. Helena Ag Day engage children in agricultural activities that was educational and a enjoyable experience. It allows them to learn about the different stages of plant growth, the importance of soil health, and the impact of weather conditions on crops. Moreover, it teaches them valuable life skills such as patience, perseverance, and problem-solving.</span></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="1224610b-fe29-41d8-9842-cfb42d10f37f" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2188d43e-f2a2-4aa5-8793-1febf60e09e5"><span style="font-family: times;">One way to introduce kids to agriculture is through school gardens. These gardens provide a hands-on learning experience where children can plant, nurture, and harvest their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They learn about the various types of plants, the requirements of each plant, and the techniques involved in gardening. Additionally, children gain an understanding of the nutritional value of fresh produce and the benefits of consuming locally grown food.</span></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="aefcdf5a-b785-41ff-87bf-1ce26e9d4306" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2188d43e-f2a2-4aa5-8793-1febf60e09e5"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKU0h6fmdCX32bV69uyH2l61LedZ_hm5m03NT8HngoaKVevZgy96s2Ff_DlhBcjxGF5j94qjKOlxhd-lcsQ6GENeCqUI6kKTZ1nRikmTHKJEwo9Ksuna2mKjZWe5BDuAEMKHCER1MYjkgnoFcAbrdB5G3gvlIS7s_BhBbdUi2XptA7oM5RT2UnBBMo4iSR/s2048/357448513_10223889865014111_6281343867190175558_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKU0h6fmdCX32bV69uyH2l61LedZ_hm5m03NT8HngoaKVevZgy96s2Ff_DlhBcjxGF5j94qjKOlxhd-lcsQ6GENeCqUI6kKTZ1nRikmTHKJEwo9Ksuna2mKjZWe5BDuAEMKHCER1MYjkgnoFcAbrdB5G3gvlIS7s_BhBbdUi2XptA7oM5RT2UnBBMo4iSR/s320/357448513_10223889865014111_6281343867190175558_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids with livestock<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Another avenue for kids to explore agriculture is through educational farm visits. This summer Muse 3</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Farm in Greensburg, La., provide tours for summer campers. These visits allow children to interact with farmers, observe farm animals, and experience farm life firsthand. They learned about the different types of farming and livestock farming. The hand on tour help them to understand the processes involved in producing food. Seeing the hard work and dedication of farmers, children develop a greater appreciation for the food on their plates. Some activities included drone flying and incorporating technology in farming. </div></span><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="1dce7c2c-c365-436a-9ebf-0f1dd3437f21" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2188d43e-f2a2-4aa5-8793-1febf60e09e5"><span style="font-family: times;">Furthermore, involving kids in community-supported agriculture programs can deepen their understanding of sustainable farming practices. These programs allow families to support local farmers by purchasing a share of the harvest. Children can participate in activities such as picking up produce, sorting vegetables, or even helping with farmers' markets. This involvement helps kids appreciate the efforts that go into producing food and fosters a connection with local agriculture.</span></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="61ed07d6-33bc-4c06-b92c-4fb20d8f53fe" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2188d43e-f2a2-4aa5-8793-1febf60e09e5">In conclusion, St. Helena Ag Day and all the sponsors understand the importance of teaching kids how to embrace gardening and farming. One thing I want to point out is none of the children was entertained by their cellphones. They all were very engaged in all the activities of the day. Nicholas Muse and Zanetta Augustine, Assistant Agricultural </wt-ignore>Specialist for Southern University Cooperative Extension, Agriculture & Natural Resource Program made this event very informative and hands on for all who attended St. Helena AG Day.</span></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="61ed07d6-33bc-4c06-b92c-4fb20d8f53fe" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YC7HphAB0GoxCFkSjk6VsyjAkEPe1L4ecNf8Fm2dnfMAhZbboqg8J4knq_ijXqXvIJ3ff4FYmmOKWzeSmfAndYqvAMh5Ci2PWpWsFkLdFPUVaOpWDzzhDpF20EfmcC645fz3Z2rpha3Wjn8ludUe95zl0wA6mvWGAtMutgCI_KokW0GQV1OK3HRjxQ1K/s2048/363320194_1762348587550793_904269136105146556_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YC7HphAB0GoxCFkSjk6VsyjAkEPe1L4ecNf8Fm2dnfMAhZbboqg8J4knq_ijXqXvIJ3ff4FYmmOKWzeSmfAndYqvAMh5Ci2PWpWsFkLdFPUVaOpWDzzhDpF20EfmcC645fz3Z2rpha3Wjn8ludUe95zl0wA6mvWGAtMutgCI_KokW0GQV1OK3HRjxQ1K/s320/363320194_1762348587550793_904269136105146556_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicholas Muse<br /><span style="font-family: times; text-align: justify;">Southern University Agricultural Center, Assistant Area Agent<br /></span>Photo Credit: Nicholas Muse Facebook page</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-34194493933471295352023-07-22T18:49:00.001-07:002023-07-22T18:49:54.705-07:00Farming and Gardners in the Louisiana Florida Parishes<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/SNjp8_z8teg" frameborder="0"></iframe>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-83887945322971991722023-07-09T14:43:00.021-07:002023-07-09T15:45:46.376-07:00A tireless effort led by Dr. Antoinette Harrell to establish African American collections at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies<p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="6361003f-cfd6-496e-abfe-c48ae949f617" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5a25233b-1bad-4f92-9655-b3ea1a17a983"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_G4w-Et3pQjWRc5XjqlVXgJ1HJaQ1fxd7adeD2NAqvTQGqMGJSVM1NH64xG3i2i1HAu3cYEuCVRXb_A7Ui1x6cOSMMTpKjCdsgnbYamzib2Ibd1vJnDJoa8TVoM74wpBlogOdX7cDAA29l4bxm4s3m_01OOZSKCOORHG66MegRvxhvgaB7HccpvpKjoX/s2016/273293029_10221016351138060_7376535535455944552_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_G4w-Et3pQjWRc5XjqlVXgJ1HJaQ1fxd7adeD2NAqvTQGqMGJSVM1NH64xG3i2i1HAu3cYEuCVRXb_A7Ui1x6cOSMMTpKjCdsgnbYamzib2Ibd1vJnDJoa8TVoM74wpBlogOdX7cDAA29l4bxm4s3m_01OOZSKCOORHG66MegRvxhvgaB7HccpvpKjoX/s320/273293029_10221016351138060_7376535535455944552_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Left to right: Alex Richardson, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, <br />Earl Richardson, Jr., Dr. Valarie Richardson<br />Photo Credit: Eddie Ponds</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Antoinette Harrell's leadership and expertise has played a crucial role in establishing five African American Collections at the Center for Southeast University Studies. Her commitment to preserving and promoting African American history and culture has been invaluable to the institution. <span>Currently, she is assisting the Vernon School Committee of Washington Parish in preserving the school's history before integration.</span><span> The collection would include photographs of the school's alumni, faculty, staff, and school reunion booklets, letters, etc.</span></div><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f802ed8e-cb84-4040-9bb5-657c2b41202a" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5a25233b-1bad-4f92-9655-b3ea1a17a983">Under Dr. Harrell's guidance, the University has made significant strides in collecting and curating artifacts, documents, and artworks that highlight the rich contributions of African Americans made to Tangipahoa, St. Helena, East Feliciana, and Washington Parishes. These collections serve as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and perseverance of the African American community.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="74b86f2c-5de9-4910-99a4-87e7039f2478" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5a25233b-1bad-4f92-9655-b3ea1a17a983">Through her leadership, Dr. Harrell has ensured that these collections are accessible to students, researchers, and the general public. She has implemented innovative strategies to digitize and catalog the materials for anyone to explore and learn from. This has not only expanded the reach of the collections but has also encouraged further research and scholarship in the field of African American studies in the four Louisiana Florida Parishes.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="401eec69-6987-4851-94de-bf1d1535a267" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5a25233b-1bad-4f92-9655-b3ea1a17a983"></wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo9NBABHz3NKOGaMJo7C88MNzXKygOmCQ7mz100rzg6iWRZYpqiNTEGFBq9AKEvM3c6sm8Hf8d9tfwELyXXgaTANzzsnbkWixf8JHD31q127RNkuqVuozoRJ0IUW0Fhi-YfH8jOpXMEGM0FX-vPvUJXh-0_wa9ANpA5hzgHcuKRBu_FdetYuDeReKnCgz/s4032/IMG_1885.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo9NBABHz3NKOGaMJo7C88MNzXKygOmCQ7mz100rzg6iWRZYpqiNTEGFBq9AKEvM3c6sm8Hf8d9tfwELyXXgaTANzzsnbkWixf8JHD31q127RNkuqVuozoRJ0IUW0Fhi-YfH8jOpXMEGM0FX-vPvUJXh-0_wa9ANpA5hzgHcuKRBu_FdetYuDeReKnCgz/s320/IMG_1885.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eddie Ponds and his daughter Sharon Ponds<br />Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition to her work in establishing the collections, Dr. Harrell has also been instrumental in organizing exhibitions, lectures, and events that celebrate African American history and culture. These initiatives have not only provided a platform for dialogue and education but have also fostered a sense of inclusivity and diversity on campus.</div><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="13b3bd23-2abe-41ce-9a48-39df67a56a80" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5a25233b-1bad-4f92-9655-b3ea1a17a983">Dr. Harrell's leadership has not only transformed the University's African American Collections but has also had a broader impact on the academic community. Her dedication and passion for promoting African American history and culture have inspired other institutions and individuals to follow suit, ensuring that this important aspect of our collective heritage is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5a25233b-1bad-4f92-9655-b3ea1a17a983">In conclusion, Dr. Antoinette Harrell's leadership in establishing the African American Collections at the University has been exemplary. Her tireless efforts to preserve, promote, and educate about African American history and culture have made a lasting impact on the institution and the wider academic community. Through her vision and dedication, Dr. Harrell has created a legacy that will continue to inspire and educate future generations. </wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;">The link to the five collection can be found below.</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;">Antoinette Harrell Collection</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/h_k/harrell_collection.html">https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/h_k/harrell_collection.html</a></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;">Richardson Funeral Home Collection</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/r_s/richardson_funeral_home/">https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/r_s/richardson_funeral_home/</a><br /></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;">Bernice Alexander Bennett Collection</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/a_b/bernice_alexander_bennett.html">https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/a_b/bernice_alexander_bennett.html</a><br /></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison Collection</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/e_g/garrisonkingsleyb.html">https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/e_g/garrisonkingsleyb.html</a><br /></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;">Eddie and Carrie Wells Pond Collection</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;">In process of being archived</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8960c606-d8f2-4305-a2d0-dd3b8181a1be" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-88282998904152611832023-06-11T19:23:00.025-07:002023-06-11T19:33:09.299-07:00 Genealogist, local historian visited Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation grandson<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoOD6HIxy_Vp23ieAyD_GlnooaHpsZ032q_ydbmTaRFfrns73D_n30jP5XYnks4sazgDoGBGcWdD3AiXaVDNyvocPGNPmPBESSxa2PTXzW9yGXiXlej6AGWS13zAIDGct17xJUMljkVC8rCV3pHqkiQFIFASe1nhOsd6KOTSq7nJeOUi77NUX5mzjHQ/s6000/Connor.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoOD6HIxy_Vp23ieAyD_GlnooaHpsZ032q_ydbmTaRFfrns73D_n30jP5XYnks4sazgDoGBGcWdD3AiXaVDNyvocPGNPmPBESSxa2PTXzW9yGXiXlej6AGWS13zAIDGct17xJUMljkVC8rCV3pHqkiQFIFASe1nhOsd6KOTSq7nJeOUi77NUX5mzjHQ/s320/Connor.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Connor visiting Laurel Valley Planation<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">In the early hours of the morning on a beautiful Sunday, Eddie Ponds, owner, and publisher of The Drum Newspaper, along with my grandson Connor and I visited the Laurel Valley Plantation. This historic sugarcane plantation is located in Thibodaux and has been <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1f5e5df5-3b0c-4459-be6d-a126684a934d">operating for over</wt-ignore> one hundred and fifty years. A short video on YouTube <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="933412b7-8de4-4418-9272-e919f5be776b">about Laurel</wt-ignore> Valley Plantation made me want to visit it <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="88a86a08-9a90-4329-a44e-09753b36ff59">as soon as possible. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1c8affdc-e2fa-411b-9aa1-337fe04a2923">It wasn't long before that day came.</wt-ignore> It's an hour and forty-five-minute drive from my house, so that wasn't <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ff67b619-0694-4056-96c6-ea81aa620949">too</wt-ignore> far to travel <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="dc67f5b6-2688-4e79-a15a-6ee5e67a0df1">on such a lovely</wt-ignore> Sunday morning. </div><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="8e09396c-742e-4658-92ed-23a678d6c8a1" style="text-align: justify;">The plantation covers about 3,400 acres and includes several outbuildings, and slave quarters. The plantation was established in <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b75896a2-0642-4f00-9582-e40216f1da6e">1830 by</wt-ignore> Joseph Tucker, a Virginian, who purchased <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ddc6b649-b5dc-4863-94de-f6fbc297b356">more than 50, </wt-ignore>000 acres of land <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="02f66289-c7b8-404f-8fd1-1a11d7ef0c17">along beautiful</wt-ignore> Bayou Lafourche. African enslaved people, as well as their descendants, worked on the plantation for decades until the Civil War <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="60646e99-d234-477a-a39d-fb4417e4325e">ended. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c9d03cd0-1033-4c91-855d-3e60624ef494"></wt-ignore>Currently, the plantation offers guided tours that focus on the history of the plantation's enslaved and their lives while working <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c24f67d9-4fe0-4434-bcc1-72e9d7e155c7">and living</wt-ignore> there.</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="10493c7e-e4af-47d0-a1db-d7af0664e6b8" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c9d03cd0-1033-4c91-855d-3e60624ef494">Visitors can explore the grounds and learn about sugarcane cultivation, the history of the plantation, and<br /> the daily lives of the enslaved people who lived there. The plantation also hosts events throughout the year, including a fall festival and a Christmas open house. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c9b9bcd5-bc1b-4f24-96b0-bc8fc46e3069">At present, the property is still being used as a sugarcane farm</wt-ignore>. <span style="text-align: left;"> Plantations like this are still profitable today.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="39bbc271-da32-464f-824e-e951c88f4b79">During our drive past the cabins, I could not help but think about how life must have been for those enslaved during those times.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="a454dee7-840a-4af2-ae9a-1236c23c818d">As I pondered the hardships they endured, I felt a deep ache in my heart.</wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="7282c859-ada6-4985-91ea-4011d987882a"> I thought about how little had changed in the years since they were freed from the chains of slavery. I felt a deep sadness for their suffering and a sense of helplessness in the face of such injustice. </wt-ignore></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh4lB2sLzxJDMgvw8rPHrKTqwA9C2XFnC-wm36MdIRYQyxvfZfWKRJ4kfjFhju-lrjnn2al7KGyyi61U17uDL_sOIO2k3MXvyMdQonADBkR4KxTEhYcVDv8T49dRHhIzxxEoJLxbi8Fbbpb-vXQPnvMjN-wCFk3oH2o75FK-wzQBsZJKRxRtrXfVQQQ/s6000/IMG_5626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh4lB2sLzxJDMgvw8rPHrKTqwA9C2XFnC-wm36MdIRYQyxvfZfWKRJ4kfjFhju-lrjnn2al7KGyyi61U17uDL_sOIO2k3MXvyMdQonADBkR4KxTEhYcVDv8T49dRHhIzxxEoJLxbi8Fbbpb-vXQPnvMjN-wCFk3oH2o75FK-wzQBsZJKRxRtrXfVQQQ/s320/IMG_5626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="0733dd29-b29a-474d-8441-b30337b244dc" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="7d2d5d5e-9c3a-4531-a763-6c62711ddca9">My grandson and I discussed the experience on our way home.</wt-ignore> He pointed out that seeing the cabins made him think about what it was like living as <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="95ca5ad2-44ef-41c2-8a9a-be1987b4b8fa">an enslaved</wt-ignore> person and how hard they had it.He found it difficult to wrap his head around the idea of being a slave, and the immense amount of courage and strength it must have taken to endure such hardship. "Looking at the small cabins, I couldn't help but think about the number of <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9b2a2e75-2939-4d01-9dfb-042e9b5f9eb8">people living</wt-ignore> in <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5c10fbfa-aa5f-4609-a93f-c3da374b600c">them,"</wt-ignore> said Connor. He was amazed by the courage and strength of the former enslaved and was <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3cea0201-4903-4083-9cbd-67756bf6ac91">humbled by</wt-ignore> the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="39d4114b-f8bc-4fc5-a019-350c4712ac0d">freedom he</wt-ignore> has today. "I <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="23878360-3b9b-4ff8-8d6d-e6859978d429" data-testid="issue-underline:envied">was filled with admiration for</span> those who had to endure such difficult living conditions," Connor <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1c03d32d-3729-4c69-8657-967eb12f5fc2">reflected. He</wt-ignore> pointed out how he clearly understood why he shouldn't take anything for granted. I hope that he share what he learned with his siblings and friends.</p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="102034fd-4a96-4a6d-9de7-1f1c91233366" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1ba63d7f-5771-444a-98ed-d413ed1e1f9d">The issues of Critical Race Theory and the removal of historical truths from classrooms really emphasize to me why I must continue teaching my grandchildren about their history.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="aee4ff4d-2672-443a-afe8-1fdb88f96b92">It was time to take the history class on the road.</wt-ignore> This experience has made me even more passionate about ensuring that my grandchildren learn the correct version of <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="bde29fd9-f3c2-4144-a6fc-5f15376e28d4" data-testid="issue-underline:history. This is">history</span>so that they can better understand the reality of the world they live in. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="77dbbfb6-e859-41f7-950d-67e866a63786">I have been able to provide them with an in-depth understanding of how the past has shaped the present and how our actions today will shape our future. Teaching them the truth has been an invaluable experience and I look forward to continuing this journey with my grandchildren.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="102034fd-4a96-4a6d-9de7-1f1c91233366" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglR9AWvmP52ym0bzNcF_v7w5d6ZeSYGJaKhQJm0wHJPVVQb-HFnYC4dGJG_D7-wEOAehs0enjnzDXsQ14Di5zLuCJhj4DpYEvyEKumitT23AsneaK1l5IRdxjv73_ofONnzfOy-fTUf-vPi1dAK3rc5CByTW1MIn4-Qo7k9-SyLSEPYIcbq3EhRiy3Q/s640/thumbnail-5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglR9AWvmP52ym0bzNcF_v7w5d6ZeSYGJaKhQJm0wHJPVVQb-HFnYC4dGJG_D7-wEOAehs0enjnzDXsQ14Di5zLuCJhj4DpYEvyEKumitT23AsneaK1l5IRdxjv73_ofONnzfOy-fTUf-vPi1dAK3rc5CByTW1MIn4-Qo7k9-SyLSEPYIcbq3EhRiy3Q/s320/thumbnail-5.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Antoinette Harrell visiting Laurel Valley Plantation<br />Photo Credit: Connor LaCoste</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="77dbbfb6-e859-41f7-950d-67e866a63786"><br /></wt-ignore><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="102034fd-4a96-4a6d-9de7-1f1c91233366" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="77dbbfb6-e859-41f7-950d-67e866a63786"><br /></wt-ignore></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-85949766815425063402023-06-10T19:18:00.026-07:002023-06-10T19:29:47.973-07:00Explore local swamp with the family<p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f138cf4a-84db-454a-b9ce-5a263fc0d208" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="5a6e7962-0be7-490f-8888-3ddc587af786"></wt-ignore></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErAVBvrUpUX3mt0IWboQS9Vuonvqhx5JsUFhpMM1JUp4x7xWULgQ3TSQelZNOW4CweMGsl1xIiNKOYTcWyHcP_ItwWRPmtFZpQHtcp887Vin5L-H0bwLJ-vwt3ji1ZhcsSL4HBY6oKhY9JMy3p4iQUnXPCYhJXFWZSOyVUCbRtDMQqBvqcRuUgGT6Aw/s2048/353060451_959176935287696_5201596412154935036_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErAVBvrUpUX3mt0IWboQS9Vuonvqhx5JsUFhpMM1JUp4x7xWULgQ3TSQelZNOW4CweMGsl1xIiNKOYTcWyHcP_ItwWRPmtFZpQHtcp887Vin5L-H0bwLJ-vwt3ji1ZhcsSL4HBY6oKhY9JMy3p4iQUnXPCYhJXFWZSOyVUCbRtDMQqBvqcRuUgGT6Aw/s320/353060451_959176935287696_5201596412154935036_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lake Martin, Louisiana <br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Over the past few years, I have taken several swamp tours in different Louisiana Parishes. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c4f78979-e111-405e-891d-9c7b4b7eda67">The peacefulness and beauty of each of them are undeniable.</wt-ignore> I enjoy <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="252544e4-9269-487d-8827-ba5c38c5f081" data-testid="issue-underline:photographing">taking pictures of</span> wildlife and <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="e0fda9c0-39f1-4965-9f83-1e25862304c8" data-testid="issue-underline:picturesque">beautiful</span> scenes in <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="78a34a50-a944-41a4-a27d-2c2752f43f2e">nature. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="368ec81d-6b88-4b4a-9f5a-8fc3b2751e32">Capturing the ghostly image projected by Spanish moss draped over Bald Cypress trees.</wt-ignore></div><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f138cf4a-84db-454a-b9ce-5a263fc0d208" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="368ec81d-6b88-4b4a-9f5a-8fc3b2751e32"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="a1e05dac-7d64-4112-9e4d-0a9fb6280a34">Looking for a fun and exciting day out for the kids? Look no further than swamp tours! A swamp tour is an adventure that takes you through the wetlands and provides a unique and fun experience for the whole family.</wt-ignore></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f138cf4a-84db-454a-b9ce-5a263fc0d208" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="94c66b97-c6bf-48d7-ade0-f42a17e0811f">If you're planning to take a swamp tour, be careful to select the right time of day based on the season.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="6bf1b68f-4dab-422b-9bc6-5c6f3f63e026">Early spring is my favorite time to take a tour.</wt-ignore> I prefer early <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="c1508054-6aae-4dd3-bec7-b3c1dd404d1c" data-testid="issue-underline:morning or">morning hours or</span> late <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-error-light hover:bg-error-lightest" data-issueid="12652273-8f3b-4b9b-ae07-e8a3936c0879" data-testid="issue-underline:evenings.">evening.</span> For instance, in the spring, early morning hours offer cooler temperatures and less humidity, while late evening hours provide the chance to <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="34378e64-9325-4b47-b3c1-fd554dc33d2e">observe wildlife.</wt-ignore> You should also <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="15903ff4-2814-4f40-9d17-16f81a5323c6" data-testid="issue-underline:remember">keep in mind</span> that the type of wildlife you will encounter on your tour will depend heavily on the time of day chosen. Morning tours will be <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="be3551a3-1f53-462d-8b8a-f37afaf42443" data-testid="issue-underline:excellent">best</span> for bird watching, while evening tours will be better for alligators and other nocturnal animals. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="bad7f6fb-767d-49d5-8281-37c1b257af64">Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="a5eadfdc-ff67-4de7-8615-4668f1b374e4">Mosquitoes inhabit swamps.</wt-ignore> <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="e3f993ba-a3df-4b41-be7e-c30fd4b95000" data-testid="issue-underline:In fact, I make sure">Matter of fact, I make should</span> that I do not wear any body lotions or fragrances that will attract bugs and other <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="1e54c407-822b-4b29-8a0a-2a146c1e060c">insects. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="29d9a5ec-bb25-4380-9c3f-294e458ad705">Make your trip exciting for your children by bringing binoculars and a camera.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e1f0a328-418b-4487-95b1-d0089dda543e">In preparation for the trip, discuss the kinds of wildlife they might see, the types of birds that inhabit the swamps, etc.</wt-ignore></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09Iuw09-7tCH023814nsplu6mBEw_WgoFfffdYFpb-KQAtOvJVO2iIr4uc9SbbV3bWPYdIv7AEps5ulNder2NQxAjyput91wWv1Nsb_gfMWa88pNDz8EmQJhWs_uNjbw-bp-a7H_YsmJxxV7c0d43LRXF_BLPkogMStuJ5Ve7F3xg_ykOHwxfVA5L7g/s2048/346645536_1157632658475709_1922796983056058230_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09Iuw09-7tCH023814nsplu6mBEw_WgoFfffdYFpb-KQAtOvJVO2iIr4uc9SbbV3bWPYdIv7AEps5ulNder2NQxAjyput91wWv1Nsb_gfMWa88pNDz8EmQJhWs_uNjbw-bp-a7H_YsmJxxV7c0d43LRXF_BLPkogMStuJ5Ve7F3xg_ykOHwxfVA5L7g/w278-h209/346645536_1157632658475709_1922796983056058230_n.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Martin Swamp Tour</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f138cf4a-84db-454a-b9ce-5a263fc0d208" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="e1f0a328-418b-4487-95b1-d0089dda543e"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="a1e05dac-7d64-4112-9e4d-0a9fb6280a34">The guides are knowledgeable and can help to explain the importance of the wetlands and the need to protect and preserve them. They can also show kids how to safely observe the wildlife without disturbing them. The tours are a great way to teach kids about the environment, and they provide an educational and enjoyable experience for the whole family. </wt-ignore></wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;">Take the opportunity to observe unique wildlife, take photos, and make memories that will last a lifetime.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="80a035ec-a0e7-4eed-9224-774c706a9b44">Swamps are a great way to get in touch with nature and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. It is also a great way to bond with family as you explore and experience something new together.</wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f138cf4a-84db-454a-b9ce-5a263fc0d208" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="c00b812e-85d3-4937-9527-f645bad323f5">The swamp tours I took with my children and grandchildren were a lot of fun.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> They got a chance to hold a baby alligator. </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="b5f3f5d7-83e9-4f58-adf0-fc2b7a272a2d">I think they enjoyed it a lot</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;">.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="1a1f51a2-972c-4722-85be-be08771b5927">It was a great opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime while </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="90f33461-3fdb-47ae-9c51-715d921bb640"> observing wildlife up close, explore the wetlands, and learn about the diverse ecosystem of the area - all while having a great time!</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="f138cf4a-84db-454a-b9ce-5a263fc0d208" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbJmp8bltuCiQGlacYNn9hLty7v-sOb3iW6uhwUjCS7oqIakXWsK7G5jS5esLjg2xioFWMS6EJ-XW1J4A6urGuDKi7Ysn8kTG0tVDyvtscX7_ZUWaHESpLYzbN_tfYFhVOQgQYK04HtW3x_bwRjwv0KPePG9B6bKdYJwiG8bwpu8UzZaamSXOi61dhA/s960/352284749_689855069633877_1747599923124492209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbJmp8bltuCiQGlacYNn9hLty7v-sOb3iW6uhwUjCS7oqIakXWsK7G5jS5esLjg2xioFWMS6EJ-XW1J4A6urGuDKi7Ysn8kTG0tVDyvtscX7_ZUWaHESpLYzbN_tfYFhVOQgQYK04HtW3x_bwRjwv0KPePG9B6bKdYJwiG8bwpu8UzZaamSXOi61dhA/s320/352284749_689855069633877_1747599923124492209_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Antoinette Harrell<br />Touring Lake Martin Swamp</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="pb-2" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="7064622a-a9d6-4a4a-9341-e3e87d9debe2" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-65128484176805276742023-06-05T12:03:00.002-07:002023-06-05T12:03:50.355-07:00St. Helena Parish's Legendary Vegetable Farmer's Field Day at Warner Hall's Farm<p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="689e09b4-8e02-4d15-9d6b-fabd66b86c00"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJD5--qD7tIxm-c9xPNhdiLcNb2bDHNHi0So2neQXmYgu9G1Ij7iqqOA93wudwB6ELhdFREeJBX82vsJuYuAU0ozSFi0U49a5WU51urphGKKI4FCya4OoWMKFdcJ9MPIa1sr8BE8EH1qLbO_Qgon89rSD5Ihp9uS6HH9N7qzyLhcxYznU6X4j89Zdwg/s6000/IMG_5361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJD5--qD7tIxm-c9xPNhdiLcNb2bDHNHi0So2neQXmYgu9G1Ij7iqqOA93wudwB6ELhdFREeJBX82vsJuYuAU0ozSFi0U49a5WU51urphGKKI4FCya4OoWMKFdcJ9MPIa1sr8BE8EH1qLbO_Qgon89rSD5Ihp9uS6HH9N7qzyLhcxYznU6X4j89Zdwg/s320/IMG_5361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warner Hall<br />Local Farmer, St. Helena Parish</td></tr></tbody></table></wt-ignore></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="689e09b4-8e02-4d15-9d6b-fabd66b86c00">Early this morning, I drove out to St. Helena Parish's Legendary Vegetable Farmer's Field Day to take part in the event.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="bc16f10d-ec46-415b-8864-e5635e7a22cf">A number of representatives from the SU Agricultural Center, LSU Agricultural Center, USDA, and WCSHC were present at this event.</wt-ignore> In order to capture some photographs of the garden and nature scenes before the crowd poured in I arrived early. The atmosphere was vibrant, with old friends greeting each other and new friends forming connections. It was truly <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="bbc71270-7bc8-4578-9c73-daa3e65cb340" data-testid="issue-underline:an honor">a great</span> day to be a part of the agriculture community.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ecf3c52e-67e0-4b47-ac80-41f3895524dc">The weather that day was slightly overcast, so I was able to take some photographs.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="0a21b71e-ecb2-4eaa-a726-adca49fd80b5">Weather-wise, I could not have asked for a better day.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="addaebe1-9a69-4625-a07a-67ec78945418">The mild temperatures and overcast skies made for perfect shooting conditions. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="ca17cda3-9333-4663-83b4-9a5e05336249">His farm has a lot of vegetables that I took pictures of.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="9a836c4a-bc95-4903-bd79-adb28a8aae46">The acres of land are covered with rows of corn, squash, cucumbers, green bell peppers, strawberries, watermelons, and eggplants.</wt-ignore></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="9a836c4a-bc95-4903-bd79-adb28a8aae46"></wt-ignore></p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ca519715-6175-4a33-b54c-ea1679bbc119" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="81df8539-84ca-4a97-8aa0-718cd6f61a3a" data-testid="issue-underline:A retired couple emphasized gardening's therapeutic nature at">The therapeutic nature of gardening was emphasized by a retired couple I met at</span> the <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2c96b12a-7991-483f-8b26-3af9c5678aa6">event. They both</wt-ignore> agreed that tending to their garden was a calming and peaceful activity that had become an integral part of their everyday routine. I can assure you that every word spoken here is correct. When I'm working in my garden it is relaxing and therapeutic for me. </p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ca519715-6175-4a33-b54c-ea1679bbc119" style="text-align: justify;">Members of the Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) drove 3 1/2 hours from Lexington, Mississippi to attend this educational agricultural event. <wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="98f1b47e-1d23-46d6-86c6-34bdfa1d7a16">A group of Winston County Self-Help Cooperative members traveled three and a half hours from Lexington, Mississippi to attend this agricultural educational event.</wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="dd3a4a24-cc1f-48e8-8007-3879277ca772"> </wt-ignore>The event was attended by other local farmers who shared and <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="058ff31f-20c1-4be1-bddd-7ae98ca8e19a">learned. </wt-ignore>Sharing farming tips is something they never hesitate to do with each other. </p><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ca519715-6175-4a33-b54c-ea1679bbc119" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="c260abee-5754-4497-84ef-f6703dadb37c">The free agricultural education material I received was much appreciated. I walked away with a pack of Wildflowers Mixture for Natural Landscaping </wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;">which is distributed by the USDA.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="45ee65b5-3da9-4913-a93a-1ac6921f0511">I am interested in learning more about pollinators and how they work. It is estimated that three-fourth of all flowering plants in the world require pollinators in order to reproduce and survive. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="f8a4b0a0-7488-4a8b-875d-34a4e5413222">There is no doubt that animal pollination is necessary for the majority of vegetables, fruits, and seed crops, as well as other plants that are used for fiber, medicine, and fuel production.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="b1b91da5-6908-4ef9-857d-f05c3297684d">Insect pollinators like butterflies, bees, birds, moths, bats, beetles, and ants contribute significantly to the existence of many of the foods we eat on a daily basis. </wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;">The type of educational agricultural events is important. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaBGXhGckXyBpLUU93riRBvDO1EcQmAHAL2_-HU-adGM9f0C48gCtey2kQ32bN884W_c2okVu2VG88Bvc3iXNKeBRfIWbaiOBfJPIoashSgfXoIskRc0-tCSm_I7ON_JmlTjdmcy525OZqlec1b0pM6q3gHwABVQbw3wCusDAFf81g1ftwIXHdddnSQ/s6000/IMG_5377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaBGXhGckXyBpLUU93riRBvDO1EcQmAHAL2_-HU-adGM9f0C48gCtey2kQ32bN884W_c2okVu2VG88Bvc3iXNKeBRfIWbaiOBfJPIoashSgfXoIskRc0-tCSm_I7ON_JmlTjdmcy525OZqlec1b0pM6q3gHwABVQbw3wCusDAFf81g1ftwIXHdddnSQ/s320/IMG_5377.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warner Hall's farm<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="pb-2" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="ca519715-6175-4a33-b54c-ea1679bbc119" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-33060683419431121672023-04-30T22:48:00.002-07:002023-04-30T22:56:25.931-07:00Genetic testing is used by enslaved descendants on Richardson plantation to determine their family relationships<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxWzz75tCi9m2TtFpmLjI_Nr9qaL4cYRVPIUO6viorSNA7ZRfXSjKot9iqgV-VjHgKY5b6Vyg5yvSreVcqtQJm1UEZktawjHt7KF24hrOMM_gjguYZ6TfKbAyGIcutF3zCy1aQ5d80KOn4PgvzxRBA1vXCJkMhaENqfWfHXwuhUlx9jN70yf0yRusVA/s2048/342333636_3546306018934199_8722763980046318345_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxWzz75tCi9m2TtFpmLjI_Nr9qaL4cYRVPIUO6viorSNA7ZRfXSjKot9iqgV-VjHgKY5b6Vyg5yvSreVcqtQJm1UEZktawjHt7KF24hrOMM_gjguYZ6TfKbAyGIcutF3zCy1aQ5d80KOn4PgvzxRBA1vXCJkMhaENqfWfHXwuhUlx9jN70yf0yRusVA/s320/342333636_3546306018934199_8722763980046318345_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl Richardson Descendants</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">My maternal grandmother's surname name is Richardson. Throughout my childhood, I <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="fb779a27-cdb2-4964-a304-d05eb665fa81" data-testid="issue-underline:met">was acquainted with</span> my grandmother's siblings. My <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="ba269ca0-bab7-4c14-a612-35076479cf62" data-testid="issue-underline:grandmother often told">mother frequently shared</span> stories about her mother's relatives and their history. Josephine Richardson, along with her siblings, was born and raised in Montpelier, <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="659a8b45-334d-4be3-8686-9223b096f5e3" data-testid="issue-underline:Louisiana. This">Louisiana, which</span> is an unincorporated community located in St. Helena Parish. <span>My research delved into the ancestry of my Richardson family, with a focus on my great-grandparents Thomas and Emma Vining Richardson.</span><span> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="37f6a3e4-50bf-4c1c-9719-5a47b2f41313">Through the</wt-ignore><span> </span><span>United States Census, I uncovered valuable information about their lives.</span><span> </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="8402a183-63a7-408c-be21-45b4117e6b5a" data-testid="issue-underline:As a result of my research,">Specifically,</span><span> </span><span>I discovered that Thomas and his siblings resided in a household with their parents, Thomas and Amanda Breland Richardson.</span></div></span><p></p><div class="fcmtt4a" style="font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); text-align: start; text-decoration-thickness: initial;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: break-spaces;">As I was going through the inventory of the Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson Plantation, I found out that my ancestor Carrie and her son Thomas were among the twenty-three enslaved individuals listed. It got me thinking if any of the other enslaved people were related to Carrie. Could one of the women have been her mother, or perhaps her brother or sister? </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: start; white-space: normal;">I know of another Richardson family in Tangipahoa Parish, and their ancestral origins are in St. Helena Parish. </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" data-issueid="bf4d81e4-ba2a-44e6-bfb6-e177cea21da9" data-testid="issue-underline:Some say" style="text-align: start; white-space: normal;">According to some,</span><span style="text-align: start;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)"> we may be related based on oral history, while others dispute this claim. The only sure way to settle this is to undergo a DNA test. Supt. Jimmy </span>Richardson<span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)"> took the </span>Ancestry<span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)"> DNA to get answers.</span></span></span></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: break-spaces; widows: 2;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="font-family: times; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="font-family: times; white-space: normal;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SHeC6QZjFOFjbupRj793MLp9TGOffNLbzgIJR9aN6LcOAARyRNbw-suEiS8DtlZIWEBfllOpaX_7glFb14tmLKtdLDLREm6LXPA5rgykpsgYvflir9vIQSkN83kRvY6O3Z_Zo87BdLRIqggOd0rr4tGZt6tvZ0TOsoGuDrSbytmLEydSqGoevOXGLg/s960/343156961_781110923537449_8093838570030064861_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SHeC6QZjFOFjbupRj793MLp9TGOffNLbzgIJR9aN6LcOAARyRNbw-suEiS8DtlZIWEBfllOpaX_7glFb14tmLKtdLDLREm6LXPA5rgykpsgYvflir9vIQSkN83kRvY6O3Z_Zo87BdLRIqggOd0rr4tGZt6tvZ0TOsoGuDrSbytmLEydSqGoevOXGLg/s320/343156961_781110923537449_8093838570030064861_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Carl Richardson and Joseph Richardson<br />Descendants</td></tr></tbody></table>Thomas, son of Carrie, is my maternal 3rd great-grandfather. It was discovered during the inventory<br /> following Benjamin's death in 1855 that Carrie was only twenty years old at the time. The plantation inventory also listed a young man named Nathan, who was fifteen years old then. Nathan later </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-family: times; white-space: normal;" uuid="fcc76431-8f49-4f1d-8d81-3b7195cc45f5">fathered</wt-ignore><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="font-family: times; white-space: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)">a son named Andrew Richardson. Supt. Jimmy </span>Richardson<span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)"> descends from Nathan Richardson</span></span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="font-family: times; white-space: normal;">. Recently, my friend Lorraine Lizana informed me that her lineage</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="font-family: times; white-space: normal;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-family: times; white-space: normal;" uuid="19332495-f46e-4046-9b43-a7ce3e1b06a0">connects </wt-ignore><span style="font-family: times;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)">to Thomas and Rebecca Richardson. Through Lorraine, I discovered that her ancestors Thomas and Rebecca are buried in the same cemetery as my 2nd great-grandparents Thomas and Amanda. All of them have been laid to rest in Rocky Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery. </span>Lorraine<span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)"> descends from Alfred Richardson lineage. Alfred was on the same plantation with Carrie, and Nathan.</span></span></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: break-spaces; widows: 2;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;">Last year, we had individuals whose ancestors were Richardson from Tangipahoa Parish travel to </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); white-space: normal;" uuid="907bb6b7-abee-4def-b4c3-05d1aed147c1">Louisiana to</wt-ignore><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)">establish a Richardson connection. Their ancestors Carl Richardson's ancestors descends from Louisiana. Their ancestors had to leave the south and they never </span>returned<span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)"> to call Louisiana home again. </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: break-spaces; widows: 2;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); white-space: normal;" uuid="47658b9a-3403-4bda-89eb-e00e76f29e93"><br /></wt-ignore></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: break-spaces; widows: 2;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); white-space: normal;" uuid="47658b9a-3403-4bda-89eb-e00e76f29e93">Continuing with</wt-ignore><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); white-space: normal;" uuid="13f0d439-ebe2-4c60-a1d3-17950a06d3de">the genealogy</wt-ignore><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;">investigation of Thomas Richardson's lineage, we have discovered another Thomas</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); white-space: normal;" uuid="b4d0c1a4-31b1-4158-86bc-75707926a0da">Richardson, Melbourne</wt-ignore><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;">McNealty's father Joseph often shared stories about his Richardson relatives. After conducting additional genealogical</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" data-issueid="38d48dfc-83e6-4066-8e2d-f41de1e2d32c" data-testid="issue-underline:research, Melbourne's" style="white-space: normal;">research, it was discovered that Melbourne's</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;">ancestor Thomas arrived in New Orleans aboard a vessel called the</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); white-space: normal;" uuid="4b57cc7e-5c45-4d6f-b7c1-b2a1dfdb313a">State. He</wt-ignore><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"> </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;">was sold to a plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana. </span></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: break-spaces; widows: 2;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div class="fcmtt4a" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: break-spaces; widows: 2;"><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="white-space: normal;">I had a conversation with a young named Fagan Davis who shared with me that his family linage traces back to a Richardson family in St. Helena Parish. I asked him about the possibility of taking the Ancestry DNA test to establish and familial connection between us. He suggested that I test his mother who is the daughter of Willie Richardson instead of him. His mother agreed and took the test and now we are presently waiting for the results to come back. </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: left;">After</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" data-issueid="bbce1bc3-a1b4-40d5-8e7a-d9ab1d48bdff" data-testid="issue-underline:receiving DNA" style="text-align: left;">receiving the DNA</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: left;">results, it is</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" data-issueid="9c003a42-e362-4347-9593-5be6f066d5e2" data-testid="issue-underline:imperative" style="text-align: left;">important</span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span color="var(--base-content-primary-default)" style="text-align: left;">to thoroughly compare and analyze them. To facilitate this process, I plan to schedule a Zoom meeting for everyone to share their DNA matches. This is especially necessary due to the historical separation of families caused by slavery, which often leads to roadblocks in our search for answers.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYa1e4ZFKOIeR1NOJuvgKHjnW7CmzmDrBrUG0vH9WwWr0aeNJySECmvJI_ZkJ1RH7n9-9iZrcnVRnX5zWJCImpN3WOrTF5F1mP5GvZfmuvOO6Rx_j4pgeal8s6pMYnS_1kTqpQSZOggaArzc3zfKeWd13In1Y2SEBI0YtUmMCmfT6wGL--4htHohQvg/s1340/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-01%20at%2012.30.23%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1340" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYa1e4ZFKOIeR1NOJuvgKHjnW7CmzmDrBrUG0vH9WwWr0aeNJySECmvJI_ZkJ1RH7n9-9iZrcnVRnX5zWJCImpN3WOrTF5F1mP5GvZfmuvOO6Rx_j4pgeal8s6pMYnS_1kTqpQSZOggaArzc3zfKeWd13In1Y2SEBI0YtUmMCmfT6wGL--4htHohQvg/w395-h202/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-01%20at%2012.30.23%20AM.png" width="395" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Earl Richardson, Sr., Dr. Antoinete Harrell, and Supt. Jimmy Richardson, Sr.</span> <br />Taking the Ancestry DNA test</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="fcmtt4a" style="color: var(--base-content-primary-default); font-family: Inter, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: "ss03"; font-size: calc(0.875px * var(--rem)); font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: calc(1.3125px * var(--rem)); orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: break-spaces; widows: 2;"><br /></div>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-17056781847159195812023-04-29T17:44:00.001-07:002023-04-29T17:44:36.356-07:00African American Collections at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/3fMG1r8miXc" frameborder="0"></iframe>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-65236908726015054522023-04-25T17:33:00.013-07:002023-04-25T18:14:22.421-07:00The Drum Newspaper established a collection at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies<p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="227bd68c-05d1-4442-a3db-d01fa373f36f"></wt-ignore></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_c9UKzqpTVO6GQ1-537QUoItAgi_WcjAF2XcV8-vfJh9vzd8ZncOMWeb0SoZv32e1t_g5lcH2TXOScr6va6mgtKLw2UAqTr18pRYa8VWZbuIwWP1xEte-fM0FY7O_iWv7FVZPrc85rq1xmt1CTDDa2mC4hK9E7MwRbZAcgYWYdEHjtOll2_AIA3Yvg/s4032/IMG_1616.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_c9UKzqpTVO6GQ1-537QUoItAgi_WcjAF2XcV8-vfJh9vzd8ZncOMWeb0SoZv32e1t_g5lcH2TXOScr6va6mgtKLw2UAqTr18pRYa8VWZbuIwWP1xEte-fM0FY7O_iWv7FVZPrc85rq1xmt1CTDDa2mC4hK9E7MwRbZAcgYWYdEHjtOll2_AIA3Yvg/s320/IMG_1616.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie Ponds<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preparing to donate his <br />newspaper collection<br />Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The Drum Newspaper has donated 235 papers to the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies through the Nurturing Our Roots and Untold History Foundation, LLC. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b24c4d19-fa21-4bed-802a-11bf2de40bfe">Dedicated to Eddie and Carrie Well Ponds and their families, the collection is named after them.</wt-ignore> This is the fifth African American <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="b4d00edf-12bc-499b-95b9-edb0f38f1395" data-testid="issue-underline:collection under">collection to be established under</span> the direction of Dr. Antoinette <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="545283be-3132-4279-b65e-bee636592e3d" data-testid="issue-underline:Harrell. She is">Harrell,</span> a local historian, and <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="040f7eac-a6a5-4646-869f-f533b0afe433">genealogist committed</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="29972eaa-54c7-4875-8202-d13dbaf6e6ce">to African American history preservation in</wt-ignore> the Florida Parishes. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="c6999858-3855-434e-b0c4-d5fa6e1fe462">These papers date back to 1992.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="d6cfea3b-e758-4fc1-87ca-07c729d0935e">The Ponds family began publishing their own newspaper in 1986.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="64ad6873-641d-422a-97f4-e7619841947b">Eddie and his wife Carol attended a lecture by Julian Bonds at Southeastern University.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="50d65e33-0d40-44bc-94d6-7329b705f741">Eddie noticed that there were no news media covering the event.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="14aeef4d-1bfb-4eea-9a29-9df4b928a51f">That was the day and event that helped the Ponds family establish The Drum Newspaper.</wt-ignore><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="dde3d0cf-c0e0-4df4-b436-afa77a39ff87">The collection was well received by Keith Finley, assistant director of Southeastern Louisiana University's Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="c51127ef-051a-47b6-a63e-186bfdc58aa0">Historically, there has been a piece of history </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="c51127ef-051a-47b6-a63e-186bfdc58aa0">missing from the collections.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="54420373-a218-4254-9367-d748aaff3092">You can take pride in knowing that Dr. Harrell is changing the narrative and working tirelessly to ensure that the history of African Americans in Florida Parishes is included in</wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="54420373-a218-4254-9367-d748aaff3092"> these collections at the center. </wt-ignore><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="8d9f3beb-6955-4e95-a8ed-6897673cbad2" data-testid="issue-underline:Louisiana Florida Parishes were covered" style="text-align: left;">There were several Louisiana Florida Parishes covered</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">in the paper.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="0381e525-f814-45f2-8176-d8c24b6da796">Sharon, his daughter, joined us and talked about how she photographed for the newspaper.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="6a213b1b-afe9-4d9e-8024-92528a2471fb">The newspaper was a family business that she witnessed her parents working hard to maintain for decades.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Dr. Harrell was happy to see that he finally took the step to preserve the events, history, and stories of the people who wrote about for decades. His paper will help to fill in the missing pieces of history for African American people in the Florida Parishes. </span><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="501e5c7a-52ab-463d-8165-affb69d00394">Dr. Harrell was pleased to see he took the step to preserve the events, history, and stories of the people he had written about for decades.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="44786383-274b-4285-bb9a-aca521fbe5f1">In the Florida Parishes, his paper will help to fill in the missing pieces of history related to African Americans.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-49035052424828256152023-04-25T16:47:00.005-07:002023-04-25T16:48:58.108-07:00Mayor of Ponchatoula signs application for Historical Marker for Rev. Arthur Tasker<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="59c5c48e-907c-45b8-993c-d0b04e3059a9" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wj06z4StfF601uO5Ihx3N5yChA8pNW_62R7NTYeTZgBAjxLQZdQIjJv7UuRPS_qs4bz3MozF6cfAMyB1UK41_EFYKhvUID2Ue4TWtqMfwOSiNSdFXXhSnByewW5n5-XJCCb4D4RwcDW633dme-O31g9xumvtxAMLzEYN4IgRIyrUy__RxsWMzRH06w/s2348/IMG_1637.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="2348" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wj06z4StfF601uO5Ihx3N5yChA8pNW_62R7NTYeTZgBAjxLQZdQIjJv7UuRPS_qs4bz3MozF6cfAMyB1UK41_EFYKhvUID2Ue4TWtqMfwOSiNSdFXXhSnByewW5n5-XJCCb4D4RwcDW633dme-O31g9xumvtxAMLzEYN4IgRIyrUy__RxsWMzRH06w/s320/IMG_1637.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Left to right<br />Eddie Ponds, Councilwoman Batiste, James M. Perrin<br />Antoinette Harrell, Mayor Robert F. Zambia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I am pleased to announce that today was a memorable day for the committee whose mission is to place a historical marker in honor of Rev. Arthur Tasker, Ponchatoula's first black mayor, local civic leader, educator, and religious leader. Tasker was born into slavery <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="d03608f2-55cd-4066-a3e7-9188c8f705f4" data-testid="issue-underline:between 1831">between the years of 1831</span> and 1835 in Maryland or Virginia. <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-error-light hover:bg-error-lightest" data-issueid="0e0a6a3a-9d50-4ffd-ba15-1ebdb3a573ff" data-testid="issue-underline:In Ponchatoula, he">In Ponchatoula, he</span> established the first <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-error-light hover:bg-error-lightest" data-issueid="1f62154d-5110-4781-9ee3-d41e39bfa608" data-testid="issue-underline:black">Black</span> school and church.<wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="584ed16d-87e2-4c32-bd3a-ef724d4e9639"> At</wt-ignore> the request of Ponchatoula City Councilwoman Roslind McKay Batiste, representatives of Untold History Foundation, LLC, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, and Eddie Ponds of The Drum Newspaper appeared before the council asking the mayor and council for their support in February of 2023. <span>A few years ago, Harrell suggested to Ponds that they put a historical marker in honor of this notable</span><span> </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="b2311310-d673-4cd2-a1eb-0871c2ba3cb6" data-testid="issue-underline:man. He">man who</span><span> </span><span>refused to let slavery hinder his accomplishments to build a better life for Black people in Ponchatoula. </span></div><p></p><p data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="264dfcfc-60b7-4c09-970e-8f6124311832"></p><p data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="01824823-98e1-4b30-9c45-f8f53962cb2f" style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c9fe246d-24e4-45a8-b710-42f1b2d88719">James M. Perrin, author of Ponchatoula, "A Community History, 2020," joins the committee. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="29e5fcd2-25f8-46be-a10a-3f88b1c49d45">The application was accompanied by copies of the minutes and newspaper articles provided by Perrin.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c9fe246d-24e4-45a8-b710-42f1b2d88719">.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="2b2d45fc-2937-4f69-9d8f-ee0d1f079b44">Mayor Robert F. Zabbia signed off on the Louisiana Historical Marker application today after the committee worked for several weeks on it. </wt-ignore>Tasker is buried in Kiwanis Park in Ponchatoula, Louisiana<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREbIdOP5vnkv1ixl40qXc8Om3H48vXmlbIkKIJTN4FcnsycP096I80U9lje_lyYJ22pecsVUk5A_BCGhFSPkfm0LuVrJjxcu8KZKlaBMMapcK-tgPPxX16NwEmcaB-Icwi2MlnJxU2orgI7nLP_10NgMT3tv9-ZKPmIx5KfiXuWMULnJhDSfcskUUgQ/s275/Unknown.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREbIdOP5vnkv1ixl40qXc8Om3H48vXmlbIkKIJTN4FcnsycP096I80U9lje_lyYJ22pecsVUk5A_BCGhFSPkfm0LuVrJjxcu8KZKlaBMMapcK-tgPPxX16NwEmcaB-Icwi2MlnJxU2orgI7nLP_10NgMT3tv9-ZKPmIx5KfiXuWMULnJhDSfcskUUgQ/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" width="183" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Arthur Tasker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="01824823-98e1-4b30-9c45-f8f53962cb2f" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="01824823-98e1-4b30-9c45-f8f53962cb2f" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-32867742656325102782023-04-15T17:04:00.005-07:002023-04-15T17:04:48.324-07:00The Hands That Picked the Strawberries<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J9nKlRDkj0Q/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/J9nKlRDkj0Q" frameborder="0"></iframe>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-30548914480763962512023-04-04T18:24:00.100-07:002023-04-07T18:19:44.391-07:00Melbourne McNealty recalls integration in Amite, Louisiana<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRYzeGdNHw86j9nk11TS0KT2RTHhn56dRbyrFCRpLz39HVGUIe4xyklv-gXkOWp6RXbXVdlLeN4LEFze4_2l4oImgEmyhiPCGeyCCmtEXqZPd6tiGm24EqTECgjex5PJ-jIusI5ROSn-GeVe_DP8yMhGyRo0osnLBgqTmRi8pGKJoMznYQD86UF8S3A/s600/Selma-March-Alabama-March-1965.jpg.webp" style="background-color: #fff2cc; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRYzeGdNHw86j9nk11TS0KT2RTHhn56dRbyrFCRpLz39HVGUIe4xyklv-gXkOWp6RXbXVdlLeN4LEFze4_2l4oImgEmyhiPCGeyCCmtEXqZPd6tiGm24EqTECgjex5PJ-jIusI5ROSn-GeVe_DP8yMhGyRo0osnLBgqTmRi8pGKJoMznYQD86UF8S3A/s320/Selma-March-Alabama-March-1965.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">Image: Peter Pettus/Library of Congress, <br />Washington, D.C. (LC-DIG-ppmsca-08102)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="15c9128a-e265-49c7-afa4-5a7f372ba639"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ee2dadf5-2bc5-4ccb-a011-d4e94f627935">There was a time when Melbourne McNealty recalls going shopping with her sister to some local stores in Amite, Louisiana. Black children was banned from entering the store. She entered the store and man </wt-ignore></wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ee2dadf5-2bc5-4ccb-a011-d4e94f627935">kept telling the lady that I could stay at the grocery store in town if I wanted to.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="0a6165e1-83b1-4261-aa4d-049e0ac91b3c">There were some blacks who were treated with respect, while there were others who were not.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="c87ccea4-b586-4421-b96e-1876a718e0f3">As she recalled, there was a drug store with a "Nigger" window that she remember seeing.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="c3084f7b-7658-4972-970c-11a78e057990">Having been told by the lady to go around to the window, Mel was told to go inside by her grandfather.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> In my grandfather's words, he told her to </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="c7000f22-b586-4208-a726-af24250ca763">step</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> into the store. She</span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ccd3fc22-fb6f-4fce-9073-7d4d31e0583b"> was going to listen to my grandfather.</wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="15c9128a-e265-49c7-afa4-5a7f372ba639"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ccd3fc22-fb6f-4fce-9073-7d4d31e0583b"><br /></wt-ignore></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="15c9128a-e265-49c7-afa4-5a7f372ba639"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ccd3fc22-fb6f-4fce-9073-7d4d31e0583b">When she was in fourth grade, Tangipahoa Parish integrated its school. It was quite a challenges for me to transition from an all black school to Amite Elementary. Some teachers treated us horribly. For example, when they asked us for school supplies that we couldn't afford. There response were, you will never amount to anything anyway so don't worry about the supplies. Without a doubt, we knew they were wrong about us. Once, she heard one of my white teachers call my daddy a porch monkey because he was black. As soon as Melbourne got home from school, Melbourne ran straight to my mother and told her what happened. Her mother went to school the following day to address the matter. Black students in Amite has a hard time adjusting to the new situation said Mel.</wt-ignore></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="15c9128a-e265-49c7-afa4-5a7f372ba639"><br /></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ca679c29-1ef4-46df-85b7-3b9432dc2d28">Before integration, I rode Mr. Dudley's bus, and after integration, I rode Martin's bus.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="398d9b65-586e-4ef8-bd82-ee00733e8dc6">He was a mean man with an amputated leg.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> It was not uncommon for him to leave us at the bus </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="ebeed991-23d2-44f6-9089-2761ca33d183" data-testid="issue-underline:stop mornings." style="text-align: start;">stop on some mornings.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> When my brother told him not to hit him on the bus, he </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="63d8d430-cfa9-42c3-aaa2-35c263a83a69">kicked</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> him off the bus. </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="0b178cbf-3f4b-4162-8097-a85aeda07582">When Martin took off his leg, he swung it around like he wanted to strike someone with it.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="1785029a-1c53-4fa1-8d12-b59e0eef64fb">In spite of the fact that he never struck anyone with it.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="902105e0-cc15-4d0d-8ebd-0883f5d9afca">Tangipahoa Parish School Board did not take any action after my mother reported him.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="73d9db84-0be5-46ce-8f5d-2d4dbddbed9e">After reporting the issue without receiving any results, my mother decided to deal with it herself.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFvPoTfQp_vAS2KClLiNuNwWiUeg1Mx5ZtlOLegwPOzfsyWRDwRESepy9m85ex-uh1R1FknLZZoiaxHx9_iWdujnnc0z4vxnbysXzrO1uUrftl8e4TZ0nrt1VWndSq7XhdOOQIGFLSDW5EECfvXolhUrp7f8Im52GWxZNw6v58M0ro7onCvNCWlDhow/s1080/318418793_10221999723843976_101507147697666144_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1080" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFvPoTfQp_vAS2KClLiNuNwWiUeg1Mx5ZtlOLegwPOzfsyWRDwRESepy9m85ex-uh1R1FknLZZoiaxHx9_iWdujnnc0z4vxnbysXzrO1uUrftl8e4TZ0nrt1VWndSq7XhdOOQIGFLSDW5EECfvXolhUrp7f8Im52GWxZNw6v58M0ro7onCvNCWlDhow/s320/318418793_10221999723843976_101507147697666144_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne McNealty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="91bf4bb0-7a5d-49f8-a581-bf55aba0d157"><br /></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="77f079a3-72b0-4620-a89d-24b390dc1537">I asked Mel if she ever talked about her experience with anyone.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="7efb2464-fa85-4ab1-ab26-a1a6c3851d01">She told me no because she was told by a white teacher that no one would believe her.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="a39c43f4-061c-407e-aac7-74827acb6f76">All these years, she kept it a secret.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="3b821a60-2166-4c56-9d68-525b3fa8f573">Mel told me she had never discussed her experience with anyone.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> Her secret </span><span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="c4339767-737b-4523-80db-50e0e73765a8" data-testid="issue-underline:remained secret for years." style="text-align: start;">remained a secret for all these years.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="e254a263-f8d4-48aa-a948-a9676b0a12fa">One of my teachers called me a nigger, Mel said.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="1566abe1-7a91-493e-bbc2-dc4d58dad0a1">My auntie immediately told me she would handle it once I told he. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="f4795e6e-5ed3-4094-b12d-7b19ab54a535">I didn't tell my mother about it.</wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="f4795e6e-5ed3-4094-b12d-7b19ab54a535"><br /></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="e75008d4-f887-4b12-8de0-c0a7dca7bb58">The school received complaints from black parents regarding their children's mistreatment.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="9858cccb-6d4f-4d87-bf8d-dccb2f049a34">The treatment we received was like being treated like poor dirt.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="a3bf9925-1ff4-4151-a17a-a830cec303a2">In 1969-1970, I was also a part of the integration system during the same time period as Melbourne.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ec84ffd9-bb89-4d0b-854a-b8f51c68a1ec">I asked her why she wanted to talk about it now.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="325ada80-127f-4bba-9eff-058f2690a7cb">In some ways, it is releasing Melbourne.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="702c7d9f-30e8-4828-b2e2-7fc3908e928d">We were never asked about our experiences during that time.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="766d6d98-4c57-4d0b-a244-37dd62caad86">The opportunity to share my experience right now has been on my mind for a long time.</wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: left;" uuid="a1aed9b4-3277-4d66-a859-4bd3061fbf53"><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="acbf6a71-66eb-4c01-a29f-1add24384100"><br /></wt-ignore></wt-ignore></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" uuid="67ef7d02-ef11-4bf7-9bc2-dbf70fcafcc2">What was the names of the Ruby Bridges who lived in Amite, Louisiana?</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f1c41160-8a2c-487f-a9be-0de1d3480ea3">Do you think there is a reason why these stories and experiences are not being recorded?</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="678761fc-859a-410a-93dc-b58a9b9a6188">Black students who participated in the integration process have remained imprinted with memories of integration for decades.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="830442ca-26a5-47fc-8eec-df8c9bef8884">Can anyone identify the Ruby Bridges of the schools in Amite, Louisiana?</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="8b961083-d809-4c2c-a88a-d7347d49c403">Recording these experiences and stories would be highly beneficial.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="9425b000-b640-4476-99eb-5ba2616da0ce">Former black students who participated in integration often kept their memories buried for decades.</wt-ignore> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><wt-ignore data-pm-slice="0 0 []" source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="b8532c0a-6aa1-4e39-83c6-9a3715a7a306">The foundation of our pain is never considered during integration as children.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="1c487b87-544f-41d2-b437-0a3578fccb65">Scars and memories remain.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="98e1cd9c-02fd-4a65-9f27-6ad4e195503c">Things can't be changed, we can only learn to cope with them.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="0b1498ad-8e3f-4374-a165-0caae3d81639">Like many black students during that era and time, I wish to heal the scars caused by integration.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="ca4e6483-8855-4f7c-b5a8-cfd406142194">There was no written or oral documentation of our experiences here.</wt-ignore><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" style="text-align: start;" uuid="047ca4a9-f8ab-4b28-9918-26a929d57686">Tangipahoa Parish was no different from any other parish or county in the deep south.</wt-ignore></div><p></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579546353333358956.post-26548016160334383502023-04-04T17:09:00.003-07:002023-04-04T17:10:29.286-07:00Benin Bronzes at Ly Benson's Gallery & Studio<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="fd302376-9532-4db4-9a5e-1cb4bfc015ef" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUapUwCXxgVSK7z1fwygAry2oG9_0cvAkfTqxhNMIWSlQcsGCdlhOKB2E3CYWE-8H1S7lTIzuF6t1m0Qhwa1hR54uPERmJoNsIGd5zUb76pl0hlaIKWTdQHImFLiPSR0GvbdCTq3_oCVnVe0QV6aWh6sdYfhPnYn5eWU8Mn2BqC5PViBoCktBrOqHnA/s1440/333055558_572786394816229_8923010150907869120_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUapUwCXxgVSK7z1fwygAry2oG9_0cvAkfTqxhNMIWSlQcsGCdlhOKB2E3CYWE-8H1S7lTIzuF6t1m0Qhwa1hR54uPERmJoNsIGd5zUb76pl0hlaIKWTdQHImFLiPSR0GvbdCTq3_oCVnVe0QV6aWh6sdYfhPnYn5eWU8Mn2BqC5PViBoCktBrOqHnA/s320/333055558_572786394816229_8923010150907869120_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benin Bronzes<br />Ly Benson's Gallery, Beaufort, SC</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Museums and galleries are essential for me when visiting any state. <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="c0b40d44-86c8-4c2b-be3f-f24c75a5f33b">I was on my way to St. Helena Island, South Carolina, to visit the historic Penn Center.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="cb42f9ad-73ee-442e-8790-d33d713ebb00">The gallery of Ly Benson caught my attention.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b47a333b-39fe-4347-9926-470f6333741b">My breath was taken away once I entered the gallery and saw all the beautiful masterpieces of artwork</wt-ignore> and <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="d5b4a92d-55dd-4748-ad57-4249308c290a">antiques. I</wt-ignore> met the owner Rev. Kenneth Hodges who shared so much history with me in such a short <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="3c47dbd8-4e21-47b8-8574-f5efc092ca4e">time. </wt-ignore><wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="b9ac8706-a400-41b3-a8a6-dbc831afc3d5">This collection of brass sculptures depicts the capture and suffering of being enslaved and is one of his oldest pieces in his collection.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="ed466a50-440e-4b1f-bbf3-730c9598ab2d">The artwork, sculptures, and antiques all tell a story.</wt-ignore> <wt-ignore source="wt-feature-result" uuid="f1f68c1b-a00b-4730-ada1-b330af82cb49">You should visit the gallery if you ever get the chance to visit St. Helena Island, South Carolina. It is well worth the drive and time.</wt-ignore> The Benin Bronzes are a group of several thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of <span class="issue-underline underline text-gray-darkest font-body decoration-2 underline-offset-4 transition decoration-primary-light hover:bg-primary-lightest" data-issueid="d63a76ed-3c14-494b-be31-280183ff112f" data-testid="issue-underline:Benin. This was">Benin,</span> in what is now Ebo State, Nigeria.</div><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="fd302376-9532-4db4-9a5e-1cb4bfc015ef" style="text-align: justify;">A New York Nonprofit Restitution Study Group (RSG) filed a lawsuit to block the Smithsonian from repatriating it's Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The suit argues that the heirs of American enslaved descendants have as mis to the Benin Bronzes as the Nigerian government. </p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="fd302376-9532-4db4-9a5e-1cb4bfc015ef" style="text-align: justify;">A statement made Deadria Farmer-Paellmann, founder and executive director said that "We study the bronzes as scholars, students, and descendants of the people who made them." We need access to them to study them she explained. "We suffer a concrete and imminent injury as a result of this transfer,"</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMqJfS-yH3bT-MJgtgxmRtHwOXMD7NweugDHsYZlXiApGvCf04RcI6VVlTLBV6U2GX2WzA_GeC6lAx-6hzQEEQexostHY1xDhQ5njWLg4deqqJijtUZq_DGA7FftIdF348_l-XeGvz8ZYc9TrSKlwBSG7eKmWDX1J3AwiV4TrkaL8Kr6kTpp1hXid1w/s853/thumbnail-3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMqJfS-yH3bT-MJgtgxmRtHwOXMD7NweugDHsYZlXiApGvCf04RcI6VVlTLBV6U2GX2WzA_GeC6lAx-6hzQEEQexostHY1xDhQ5njWLg4deqqJijtUZq_DGA7FftIdF348_l-XeGvz8ZYc9TrSKlwBSG7eKmWDX1J3AwiV4TrkaL8Kr6kTpp1hXid1w/s320/thumbnail-3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Antoinette Harrell<br />Ly Benson's Art Gallery<br />Beaufort, SC</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="fd302376-9532-4db4-9a5e-1cb4bfc015ef" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-private="redact" data-wt-guid="fd302376-9532-4db4-9a5e-1cb4bfc015ef" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>nurturingourroots.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637094536522119654noreply@blogger.com0