A Tribute to "The Mothers of Riverview" PAGE 3

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                                                                   Mrs. Mary Young

Mama is the mother of 6...
The grandmother of 14
The great-grandmother of 15

Yes, the Young family has grown, and she is our "Grand Lady"

From Charlotte Young-Maxwell







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                                                       Mrs. Jean "Mama Jean" Clark

"Mama Jean" always has her front door open for friends and family to come visit.   She spreads joy, and has never met a stranger in the community.  She's a listener when you're happy, and always consoles you when you're sad.   There's always an empty chair at the table when it's time to eat, in case somebody from the community drops by.  Mama Jean has plenty of love and affection, plus protection and discipline when you need it, and how well us kids know that! 

After she fed all of us, she'd watch over us and if you did something wrong, she'd let you know it quick:  "I saw what you did and I'm gonna tell your parents.. now get on home."  She'd sit on that front porch on Carver Street, and everybody got caught in her view up and down the street.   Actually, she never saw kids as bad kids, but if you continued to misbehave and she wasn't getting anywhere with you, she'd start singing "This little light of mine... I'm gonna let it shine..."   We all knew right then, we'd better straight up.


HAPPY MOTHERS DAY, MAMA JEAN!



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Everybody always wanted to stay over at our house, because Mama used to cook good breakfasts in the mornings, boys AND girls.  Our door was always open.. I'm talking eggs and grits, potatos and gravy.. if Daddy killed a hog, there was plenty of bacon and sausages.  She fed a lot of children and there were always empty plates.  Our house was full on the weekends.

There was lots of discipline from Mama and Daddy for kids in the neighborhood, but she was rougher than Daddy.  He was intimidating, tall and bald-headed, and everybody was scared of him, but it was her.   She was worse with discipline... he was really the easy one.  She had that "eye"... she'd plant that thing on you, and you knew you'd had it.  I only remember one spanking, but then she'd look right at you... Stare at you...  Hard.   If you was somebody else's child, you might have done something wrong, and still played for two more hours, but your own mama would already know about it.  That's the way Riverview was.... done already called, way after the incident.

Deep down though, Mama really loved the children.. she just wanted them to act right.

From Tina Releford, and Doug and Shelia Releford





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                                                               Mrs. Emogene Hankins

Emogene was very active with the youth of her family, community, and church. she worked several years at the Riverview boys and girls club.


From Mary Hankins




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Me and my  sister were raised by Mrs. Mamie (Miss Tootsie) Gillenwater and her grandmother, Mary Ellen Sylvester Gillenwater in the Riverview Apartments, #12.

I remember Miss Toots helping to raise a whole lot of kids, including us.  When she worked at John Sevier Junior High School, she used to take us with her to work with her, and she'd show how to do things.  She was strict, but she made us understand why we had to behave.

Mama Sylvester had rules for everything.. if you said you were sick and couldn't go to school, she'd make you stay in.. there was no going outside after school was out.   If somebody else's mama told you about something you did, she always sided with them, no matter what you said.  She'd say, "if somebody's mama told me what you did, it must be true 'cause mama's don't lie on children."  She used to remember what  you did wrong, and whip you while reminding you what you did.  "Remember when you did so-and-so?"  whap, whap, whap... "Remember when  you did that?"... whap, whap, whap.  She whip you with a switch that she made you go outside and get. 

We got good training in being mama's 'cause of what they taught us. 

From Mary Ellen Beatty

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                                                       Mrs. Lois "Miss Wo-Wo" Smith

Mama loved kids.   When she ran the lunch room line at Douglass, she would not throw away the government cheese at the end of the school year.  The school board told all the schools to throw it away, but she would give it out to the parents.

We always had folks at home for dinner.   If some of the other kids were playing with me and Harry and Nat, Mama always made more for dinner, and they ate if they were hungry.  Kids got fed well in Riverview, 'cause everybody else's mama always did the same thing.

Mama liked to visit her sister Tootsie.  Many a day, they'd be sitting out on the porch looking out over the (Douglass) ballfield, and watching the kids play.

But don't start nothing.  If she saw you, she'd grab you and fuss at you.  She'd let you keep playing, and most of the time you did, but knowing that you were gonna get a whupping when you went home.  I remember her telling somebody's mama about what they did, can't remember who it was, there were so many.   Of course, seems like everybody's mama in Riverview did that.  It's fun to remember that now.


From Tim Smith




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                                                                        Barbara Bell

Barbara Bell.. always active with children, contributing a helping hand in the Red Circle group activities.  She always makes herself available for sporting events and community activities. 


From Donna Morrisette



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Please send your mom's picture and caption in this special album, to douglassriverview@gmail.com  and we will add them.  "The Mothers of Riverview" are special ladies, and we don't want to miss anyone.  Happy Mother's Day!


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Friday Night Baptizing

 

 

Left, Baptism on a friday night!

Right, Elder Hawkins of Bethel A.M.E. Zion getting ready to baptize young & old

 

From Rev. Ricardo Dorcean, Central Baptist Church in Riverview- Kingsport, via Facebook, Friday, May 3, 2013

Meeting Minutes: Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board of Directors 4/27/13

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association Meeting Minutes


April 27, 2013

Members in attendance: Thelma Watterson, Wallace W. Ross, Jr. Sandra Wilmer, Linda Bly, Ozine Bly, Judy Phillips, Ruth Russell, Calvin Sneed, Andra Watterson, Douglas Releford, Lillian Leeper.

Meeting was called to order by President Andra Watterson

Prayer by Ethel Russell

Financial Report:

Lillian Leeper presented the financial report for checking/savings account

Motion to accept the financial report was made by Calvin Sneed, second by Linda Bly. Motion carried.



Bills to be paid:

Calvin presented due bills and also signed the alumni up for auto-billing with Charter Communications.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read individually, Calvin made a motion to accept the minutes; the minutes were second by Linda with the corrections made to the financial report.




Old Business:

The alumni association received a thank you card from the Cox/Butts family.
There were discussions about who should get flowers/cards but that discussion was tabled until the Correspondence Secretary is contacted.

Calvin had cards printed to give to members when they pay their dues. Motion was made to use the new cards. Motion carried.

Doug handed out forms for Field-Day registrants to occupy space during our field-day activities. Linda suggested the following additions. Checks should be made out to Sons and Daughters of Douglass and each registrant is responsible for clean-up of their space. The association added that the fee should be $25/day or $40 for two days and the hours are from “dawn to dusk.”



New Business:

Discussion about the scholarship forms and who should be considered for a scholarship.

The scholarship forms are being changed to reflect the amended by-law.

Linda made a suggestion that dues of all alumni be up to date before their children would be eligible to receive a scholarship. The by-laws would have to be amended, motion to amend the by-law of Article 7, Section 4, and Page 6. Motion carried.



Discussions:

Sandra asked if there was any news concerning the dish cloths there was no information available.

Ozine wanted to know if Andra needed to be added to the checking account, it was decided that as president her name should be added ASAP.

Next meeting is scheduled for May18, 2013 @1:00pm

Adjournment was made by Linda second by Doug. Meeting adjourned




Minutes recorded as Thelma Watterson heard them.

Revival at St. Mark's U.M.C

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Clean Up Riverview: Taking Pride in the Community

It's almost impossible to get a little boy to keep his room clean.

But when it comes to cleaning up a NEIGHBORHOOD, we found one 9 year old, eager to pick up after his COMMUNITY.

Jalyn Smith, a student at Jackson Elementary in Kingsport, spent his Saturday morning recently, helping his fellow New Vision Kids clean up Riverview.


And just like cleaning his room.... he's a little miffed about having to do it.

"I don't think people should throw down trash," he says.  "They're the ones who made the mess and we're the ones who have to clean it up."

"It's just not right."

The kids joined residents of Riverview and participants in the area Community Services Division in picking up trash in the neighborhood.  The event started out at the Douglass Ballfield, and trash collectors fanned out through the streets and alleys of Riverview and 'cross town to Sullivan, Dale, Oak, Maple, Sevier and East Center Streets.

"Several years ago, clean-ups were necessary because the streets and alleys were not very well kept," says Jeannie Hodges of South Central Kingsport Community Development, one of the organizations sponsoring the event.  "Over the years, residents have been proud to see the progress that's been made.  Now, we have fall and spring clean-ups.  It's no where as much litter as there used to be."

On the other side of East Sevier, Rick Watson is working with a group cleaning up trash and debris in the alley between Sevier and Myrtle Streets.  Watson is working off some community service responsibilities, but says, he probably would have come out to help keep one of Kingsport's oldest neighborhoods clean anyway.

"Well actually, I enjoy helping clean up the community," he says.  "When I drive around town, I don't have to look at the nasty mess.  It's a service for folks who can't get out here and clean it up.  It helps people who don't have a choice whether they can come out and clean up the trash."

Along with South Central Kingsport, the twice-a-year clean-up is sponsored by New Vision Kinds, Kingsport Parks and Recreation and Kingsport Public Works, with assistance from the Community Services Division..  This spring, more than 80 people took part in making the Riverview neighborhood litter-free, making it one of the most well-attended clean-ups ever.

"Everybody walked long distances picking up trash," Hodges says, "but the South Central Kingsport community is the benefactor.  "This year, folks could sit out trash that's been building up around the house for months, and Public Works trucks picked it all up, in addition to the bags of litter collected."

"It's become a great tradition."


Meanwhile, just like Jalyn, Watson has a message for people who would throw down trash and just walk away.

"I'd tell 'em they should come out here and see what it does to the community," he says.  "Look around,  there's trash cans everywhere and people just want to toss it on the ground.. it doesn't make sense.  There's a dumptster right there, a garbage can over here, waste cans at every corner."

"It's ridiculous."

A SLIDESHOW OF THE CLEAN UP OF RIVERVIEW, SPRING 2013

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

"Mothers of the Riverview Neighborhood"

On Sunday, May 12th, we will pause to remember our Mothers as we celebrate and commemorate "Mothers Day."

We talk all the time about the women of Riverview, who continued as they were raising their own children, helped raise the other children of the community.   No matter where you went in the community, you were always under the watchful eye of a Mom in the neighborhood, whose spirit of motherhood still floats over the neighborhood as a beacon of shining light.  It shaped us alll at some point.

Whether it was giving us cookies or food as we played outside, offered encouragement at church and school events, or even yelled at us or spanked us when they saw us doing something wrong, these "Mothers of Riverview" gave us the discipline we needed, right there when we needed it... didn't matter if we were their child or not.    It was always said, "if you got caught doing something bad in Riverview, you'd get a whipping from whoever caught you, then you'd get another one when you got home."

It's past time we honor these "Mothers of Riverview."

As a result, please send us a picture of your mother, whether she is still with us, or long gone, along with a caption of how she influenced your life, but MORE IMPORTANTLY....  If you know of someone else's Mom in the neighborhood who influenced you with either advice or a good whupping, please send us their picture, too, along with a caption of who she is, and how she helped you in the growing-up process.  You might even mention one of those events that sticks out in your mind where her influence was strong.

Please send your pictures and captions to:  douglassriverview@gmail.com

We will gather those pictures in a special album, to remember "The Mothers of Riverview Who Helped Raise All of Us."  We're planning to publish it Mother's Day weekend this year.

They were the "Mothers of Riverview."  In their small way, they shaped us all, and we hold them forever in our hearts. 

Their wide-reaching influence, is what continues to make our neighborhood special.

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board Meeting POSTPONED

Due to the funeral of our beloved Mrs. Mildred Hardy this coming Saturday, the scheduled meeting of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board of Directors is postponed to Saturday, April 27th, at 1 PM.

The meeting will be held in the Eastman Room of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex office tower on Louis Street, and it will be a covered dish lunch.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a fellow Douglass alumni with them to the meeting, where we'll discuss the upcoming Reunion activities, among other things.

Please mark your calendars for this important rescheduled meeting.

Riverview Neighborhood Passing

We are saddened to report two passings in the Riverview Community..

Mrs. Mildred Hardie has passed away.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones at this difficult time.

Originally, we had reported that Mrs. Virginia Ford of Riverview had passed, but we've been told that it was another Virginia Ford with the same name as our beloved.

Revival & Women's Conference Coming up at Central Baptist

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POSTERS TO
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Fundraisers to benefit New Vision Youth

• KINGSPORT — A yard sale and fish fry will be held Friday and Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at 950 Dale St. in Kingsport to help raise money for New Vision Youth’s summer trip to Disney World.  

The yard sale will include such items as a dining room set, swivel television stand, clothes, dishes and odds and ends. 

 The fish fry will feature fish sandwiches for $3.  

Additionally, a pancake breakfast fundraiser for New Vision Youth will be held Saturday at Applebee’s restaurant in Kingsport from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.  

Tickets are available at the door for $5.  

There will be door prizes and entertainment provided by New Beginnings Fellowship Youth Choir and gospel singing by 4-year-old Makayia Blye.  

For more information, call Johnnie Mae Swagerty at (423) 429-7553.

Problems Viewing Old Picture Albums in Past Stories

One of our Douglass alumni pointed out a problem with viewing pictures from past stories on the website.

When you click on the link to see photo albums and slideshows from stories prior to January 1st, the Webshots page for SMILE tells you that the pictures you're trying to see, are no longer available.

Here's the lowdown:

From day one, Webshots has been the primary photo server for the Douglass website.  I chose Webshots because I could download hundreds of photos at one time into individual albums, and then provide links to the albums.  This was an extremely popular link because we love pictures in the Riverview community and the alumni association.. in fact, so popular that I became a premium member of Webshots so that I could upload thousands of Douglass-Riverview pictures that I have taken since the website began.  At one point, we had over THREE MILLION views to all of our pictures.

To make a long story short.... Webshots was sold last year and everybody who paid to have a premium account, had all of their pictures transferred over to the new company, SMILE.  For some reason, our account was not transferred over on January.  I am now in contact with Webshots to find out where all of our pictures are.

Not to worry.... all the pictures I have taken over the years, are saved in the order of dates taken, in three different places outside of Webshots, so I can always put them back onto the website.  I will always have them.  

Our new photo server is Flickr, the photo server offered by Yahoo.

Once I find out where SMILE has transferred our pictures, I'll let you know when they're back online.  In the meantime, I DO NOT SUGGEST signing up with SMILE just to see our pics, or even clicking on the links to see photos and pictures. 

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board Meeting Minutes, 3/9/2013

03092013

Members In Attendance: Wallace Ross, Jr., Doug Releford, Andra Watterson, Lonnie Cox, Blenda Brown, Thelma Watterson, Lillian Leeper, Louetta Hall, Sandra Wilmer, and Vicki Smith.

Meeting was called to order by Andra Watterson, Interim President


Prayer by Lillian Leeper

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Minutes were read and motion made by Andra to accept minutes as read. Doug seconded the motion and motion carried.

Financial Report:

Lillian gave the financial report for the checking/savings account.

Deposit was made from dues & pancake sales


Lillian made an automatic transfer on 3/7/13 from checking to pay Charter.   Louetta made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as read and Doug seconded the motion. Motion carried.

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Discussion:

Andra will meet with Charter on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 in office to reconnect services

Thank-you note has been sent to Paul Montgomery. Vicki suggested to send one also to Bob Feagins regarding Chamber Dinner

A total of $110 in dues was received from members attending meeting today and names and amounts were recorded by Lillian

Any officer unable to attend meetings should notify the President of their absence

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Old Business:

Andra asked that all monies from ticket sales be turned in ASAP

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New Business:

Socialization hour in alumni room on Saturday, July 6, 2013 – time to be determined later

Doug reminded the alumni that we have the field reserved for Friday, July 5, & Saturday, July 6th. Lillian made a motion to charge $40 for 2-day vendor usage of field. Lonnie seconded the motion and motion carried.

Andra stated that she had already received a request from Mr. Brooks and she will notify him of the field cost.

Anyone that wants to reserve space on the field should contact Louetta, Sandra, or Andra. Deadline for reserving the space will be June 21st.

Alumni will set-up tables with any memorabilia that we have on hand to sell.

Other suggestions for fundraising were: selling dishcloths and having a movie night.

Volunteers are needed for the Sunday Memorial Service – Lillian Leeper & Blenda Brown will chair that committee

2013 Graduation list from Dobyns-Bennett was reviewed for alumni descendants

All descendants graduating may be from other schools, alumni should submit names of these potential recipients

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The next meeting will be a covered dish on Saturday, April 20, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m. Doug made a motion to adjourn and Andra seconded. Motion carried and Louetta closed the meeting with prayer.

Meeting was adjourned.

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Minutes recorded by: Vicki Smith, Recording Secretary

Authorities increasing visits to Kingsport, Sullivan schools

 THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS
 

By RAIN SMITH

rsmith@timesnews.net  

   KINGSPORT — Whether he’s conducting a traffic stop or responding to a domestic dispute, a lot of people aren’t thrilled to see Kingsport Police Department Officer Sean Cornett.

 

David Grace —dgrace@timesnews.net  

Kingsport Police Department Officer Sean Cornett talks with Jackson Elementary student Abraham Graves on a walk-through of the school this week.


Sometimes children are present to watch him haul away a loved one, leaving a potentially negative image of police in their impressionable minds.

But on a daily basis throughout the city, officers and children alike are enjoying interactions on a more personal, enjoyable level. During the first two months of 2013, members of the KPD conducted more than 350 random walk-throughs at educational facilities, part of an increased emphasis on school safety.

“They love it,” said Andrew Jackson Elementary School Principal Holly Flora. “When they see an officer inuniform walking through the hall, it’s like a rock star is in the building.” The enthusiasm is evident on a Tuesday morning walk-through at Flora’s school. Officer Cornett steps into the gymnasium, giving the students inside a wave of his hand and quick, “Hey, there.” “Look, look,” exclaims one child as she and two others break into a sprint. “Police! Police!” Another student walks past Cornett’s commanding, 6-foot-4-inch frame, slowly directing his gaze from toe to head. He takes in the shined shoes, holstered weapon and gleaming badge. “Whoa,” he murmurs, pushing his glasses back as he passes. “They want to know what tools you carry, some-  times they want to tell you about their homes or family members,” said Cornett with a chuckle. “But it’s good to put a smile on a kid’s face, rather than taking a parent or sibling to jail.”

KPD Lt. Mike Roark said the department has conducted school walk-throughs in the past, but the efforts have taken on a renewed priority following the December school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. Multiple officers are now visiting schools within their assigned zones at random times throughout the d a y.

Roark said the community relations aspect of the drop-in visits are an added, welcome bonus to the main goals at hand: increased safety, and possibly peace of mind for parents and school personnel. 
In the event that security is breached, the walk-throughs have provided responding officers with a familiarity of both the facilities and their staffs.

“It’s good to know names,” said Cornett as he walks Jackson Elementary’s halls, tugging every entrance door he passes to ensure it’s firmly closed. He pops his head to the window of some classes, garnering a nod or smile from teachers in front of their pupils.

“We just really appreciate their presence,” said Flora of the response at her school. “It’s a great experience for both the staff and students.”

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has also bolstered walkthroughs at schools throughout the county and echo the KPD’s sentiments on the benefits beyond just s a f e t y.

“It allows officers, especially patrol officers and detectives, to interact with students in a way they usually aren’t able to,” said SCSO Public Information Officer Leslie Earhart. “They have a chance to talk with students and answer questions in a safe environment, which in turn helps us to build a positive relationship with them.”

Shortly before Cornett’s walkthrough at Jackson is complete, he bends down on one knee to speak with a student. A few moments later the boy scurries away to rejoin his classmates in a single file line, a sheepish grin across his face.

As Cornett rises back to his feet, he’s sporting a smile of his own.

“Usually when we see children it’s because something bad has happened,” Cornett said. “The good sometimes doesn’t get to come out — until we get to do something like this.”

Paying Your 2013 Annual Sons and Daughters of Douglass Dues

In response to the plea from your Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board of Directors, several folks have asked for information on paying their annual Douglass Alumni dues for 2013.

Please make the check or money order out to "Sons and Daughters of Douglass, Inc."   The annual dues are $25 dollars.  You can mail the check or money order to:

Sons and Daughters of Douglass, Inc.
301 Louis Street, Suite 104
Kingsport, TN 37660

Your dues, as well as any donations you make to the Sons and Daughters of Douglass, Inc, a non-profit charitable corporation chartered by the Tennessee Secretary of State in Nashville, are tax-deductible under
Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Tax Code.

When your dues or donation are paid, your name will be checked off the master list in the office, as PAID, and your contribution will be used for our small office expenses.  Everyone who attended the Douglass Elementary/High School in Kingsport, or are, themselves, descendants of anyone who attended, are considered alumni of the school.
Your help and concern for the operation of your Sons and Daughters of Douglass alumni association is greatly appreciated.

How Riverview got its name, even though there’s no view of river

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

Contact Vince Staten at vincestaten@timesnews 
Voicemail may be left at 723-1483. His blog can be found at vincestaten. blogspot.com.

If you live in Riverview or if you’ve driven in Riverview, you’ve probably noticed one thing about Riverview: Riverview does not have a river view.

It was Calvin Sneed who first pointed this out to me. Calvin grew up in Riverview. He says that even when it was a “new” community back in 1939, “There was no view of the river from where we lived. ... There was never even a road over to it. Wheatley Street is the connection now — but even today, you still can’t see the river from the community.”

So how did Riverview come to be named “Riverview.”

Calvin told me the story and I dug up the details.

Slum housing, behind 746 East Sevier Avenue, 1935

Riverview grew out of an omnibus slum clearance program that targeted the destruction of more than 201 substandard “white homes” and “Negro homes” in Kingsport in 1939, to be replaced by 128 “white homes” and 48 “Negro homes.”

The city brought in the United States Housing Authority to recommend homes to be “cleared.” In return the federal government would provide funding for the new housing.

Things really started rolling in June 1939.

This newspaper wrote, “A new development for housing Kingsport’s increasing Negro population will be submitted for consideration to the United States Housing Authority before the last of the week, according to Walter F. Smith, chairman of the Kingsport Housing Authority for slum clearance.”

The city and the federal government would share the costs for construction of streets and a pedestrian underpass under the Clinchfield railroad tracks.

Federal Dyestuff and Chemical Company, 1916 - Current Site of Riverview.  Photo Courtesy Archives of Kingsport

Chairman Smith told the newspaper he had taken “a selected group of Kingsport Negroes to the site which is to be located south of the Clinchfield railroad tracks in an area composed of approximately 50 acres between the old dye plant and the property of the General Shale Products company.”

The original plan would use only five or six acres for construction of houses with plenty of room for expansion.

“It is estimated by the authority that under the present housing setup between 35 and 50 dwellings will be constructed on lots measuring 50 feet by 150 feet.”

The Housing Authority decided to involve local citizens by holding a contest to name the new Negro development as well as the white project. Contest winners were announced Dec. 5, 1939.

“The project for white residents has been officially named ‘Robert E. Lee Homes’ and the Negro project will be called ‘Riverview.’ ”

Riverview Apartments

Charles B. Leonard, 214 Millpond St., had submitted the entry for the “white project.” And Mrs. James (Bessie) Hipp, 914 Oak St., entered the Riverview name.

Each won $5, which would be about $80 today.

But that name. “I’m guessing that nobody else had a name to submit,” says Calvin. “Mama Jill Ellis couldn’t even think of anybody else who had a suggestion. We all loved Miss Bessie. ... She was one of many older members of the neighborhood always revered as mothers of the community, with all the honor and respect that comes with that. Us young ’uns always respected the name she gave our community. But we sure did have a hard time explaining it!”

Happy 95th Birthday, Mrs. Nora Mae Taylor Alexander!

A pillar of the Riverview community is celebrating a milestone birthday.

Mrs. Nora Mae Taylor Alexander recently reached her 95th birthday. 

The special event was commemorated with a birthday cake with lots of well wishes.

Mrs. Alexander and her late husband, Jason Taylor operated the Dairy Mart and a dry cleaners on Lincoln Street and downtown for many years.

If you see "Miss Nora Mae," be sure and wish her the best, and many more birthdays to come!

REMINDER:  If you know of any of our Riverview Seniors celebrating a birthday of any age, please grab some pics and send them to me.  Our seniors are the foundation of our neighborhood.  We stand on their shoulders as we pass down the heritage of Riverview and Douglass High School.

"I Think It's Time" -- Ill Health Forces Douglass Alumni President to Resign

A somber mood at the board meeting of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni, turned to immediate sadness.

Board President Virginia "Jenny" Hankins resigned from the board, via a handwritten note that was read aloud at the meeting on Saturday, February 23rd.

In the note, Hankins says she had wanted to "follow in the footsteps of Doug, Louetta, Kathryn and others to carry the organization forward, but my failing health will not allow it."

The note immediately had board members wiping away tears.

In an interview this week, Hankins says, she really didn't want to be forced to quit, and the realization of that decision, was out of her hands.

"The alumni and the association are close to my heart," she said tearfully.  "I didn't want to have to quit, but I've been putting it off for about a year."

"I just think it's time."

                                  

Hankins also revealed for the first time that she now has liver cancer, which developed from the colon cancer she has suffered with for the past several years.

"Since the doctors told me that, all I've been able to do is just lay around," she said.  "I've got some other stuff going on.  I took a CAT scan last week to find out what's going on there."

Jenny's spirits were lifted greatly, at the news that the entire board will continue to seek her advice for
guidance, and even happier that the board prayed for her a couple of times during the meeting Saturday. "I really appreciate that," she said.

As mandated by the charter of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass non-profit corporation, Board Vice President Andra "Puddin" Watterson was elevated to the position of interim president until the Douglass alumni gathers in July to select new executive board members.  The board also elected permanent board member Calvin Sneed to serve as interim Vice President, until July as well.

"I'm hoping everybody will hang in there and help Andra out," Jenny said. "She's gonna need help, so please.. just everybody step in and help her and do their part.  I believe everything will work out, because Andra's a worker.. she puts 100 per cent into what she does.  It's a big responsibility.  I want everybody to please help her out."

"When Jenny's letter was read at the meeting, it caught everybody off guard," board member Andra Watterson says. "We had 14 board members at the meeting, and it just broke all of us down. She called me, and I could tell in her voice that something was wrong, really wrong. She called me to make sure that I attended the meeting."

"We're trying to do what we can and we need the efforts of each alumni member Calvin," says Andra.  "I'm proud to be a alumnus of Douglass High School and I know every alumnus is.  We're all graduates of Douglass in some form, and everything we do, is for the alumni, the descendants, and the people of Riverview."

Andra acknowledged the financial dire straits that the Sons and Daughters of Douglass organization is in right now.

"At any given time, any of our alumni, friends and neighbors and feel free to donate money to us, just give us a contribution as a former classmate of Douglass," she says. "The way other alumni organizations work, is any alumnus has a moral obligation to help support the alumni association through dues, which for our organization is only $25.00 a year."

"Just like the other alumni groups in the area, if all of our Douglass alumni would send us the money for their dues, it would easier for us to sustain ourselves as an organization," says Andra.

To the Douglass alumni, she implored, "Please don't forget about us."

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Scheduled Meeting, Saturday, February 23rd

Dear Board Members,


I have scheduled a meeting for Saturday, February 23rd and the Eastman Board room has been confirmed for that date at 1:00 p.m. I would like for everyone to please make an effort to attend. I know that many of us have been sick and some are still incapacitated but if the weather allows we need to meet. Please bring in your unsold pancake tickets and the money for the ones that you did sell. We need to get a count on that fund raiser.

Since this is our first meeting of the year, let's make it a covered dish event.  I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting.

Mark your calendars for the meeting date.



JennyH.

Former D-B classmates join forces for leukemia fundraiser

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By JESSICA FISCHER

jfischer@timesnews.net

A shared love of basketball bonded Brad Blackwell and Coty Sensabaugh, who became fast friends when they were students at Lincoln Elementary School in Kingsport.

They remained close through middle and high school, with many an afternoon spent shooting hoops together on the court behind Blackwell’s house.

Blackwell and Sensabaugh drifted apart after graduating from Dobyns-Bennett in 2007, with Blackwell moving to Knoxville to earn an advertising degree from the University of Tennessee and launch his career as a country music singer. Sensabaugh went on to play football at Clemson University before being selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He just wrapped up his rookie season with the team.

The two reconnected through Twitter a few months ago and finally caught up face-to-face over dinner in November, when Blackwell was in Nashville on business. That’s when Blackwell suggested that they team up on a fundraising concert that would let both men share their good fortunes and give back to a cause near and dear to both their hearts.

Proceeds from Blackwell’s “Combustible” EP release show Feb. 22 at Knoxville’s Bijou Theatre, which Sensabaugh is helping promote, will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Sensabaugh’s older brother, Jamaar, died of leukemia in 2000 within a week of being diagnosed with the disease. He was just 16 years old. Coty, who was 11 at the time, credits Jamaar’s life — and sudden death — for molding and shaping him into the man he’s become.

“It had a major impact on me,” Sensabaugh said of his brother’s death. “I feel it made me grow up overnight. That was the driving force in a lot of the obstacles I faced throughout my life. It was an unfortunate situation, but it helped turn me into the person that I am today.”

Blackwell’s fiancee also has two uncles currently battling leukemia, so supporting an organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services was a perfect fit.

“I love seeing people chasing their dreams,” Sensabaugh said, “and I told (Brad), anything I can do to help, even besides this concert, I’m going to do it to help him. It’s just two friends getting together and supporting a good cause.”

Opening for Blackwell at the Bijou show will be Troy Suggs. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Blackwell sold out the Bijou last June at a release concert for his second studio EP, “Fresh.” On hand to introduce him was former University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulm e r.

“From the second I moved to Knoxville, I said I want to do the Bijou Theatre,” said Blackwell, who won Best Singer in the Knoxville News Sentinel’s 2010 East Tennessee’s Best Reader’s Poll. “Every step along the way you just try and grow with every show. ‘Blue Sky’ was my first CD. We released that in 2010 at the Brown Cup of Coffee in Lenoir City, and there was like 20 people there. Then we did the ‘Brad Blackwell’ EP at a place called The Orangery in Knoxville, and there’s no reason you should be doing a show there, but we talked it up a bit and had like 200 people there, then did a show at another place in downtown Knoxville and had 350 there. We released ‘Fresh’ and had 500 there.”

“Combustible” features three songs Blackwell co-wrote with Wade Kirby, who penned George Strait’s No. 1 single, “I Saw God Today,” which garnered Grammy, ACM and CMA nominations.

Blackwell believes the project has helped focus his musical style.

“(The songs) are a little more country, and that was kind of a strategic move,” he said. “I’m from East Tennessee, it’s all Nashville players, I’m in Nashville all the time, I wrote it with Nashville guys, it’s like, why even try to fight it? Kind of the second we said we’re country, it’s almost like it enhanced that focus even more. If you can’t define yourself, it’s hard for people to go out and define you, so it’s a more focused step in the right direction and hopefully makes making that next step easier because you know who you are. That’s kind of what we feel like we’ve done with this.”

Now that his friend is an up-andcoming country singer, Sensabaugh said he’s going to have to brush up on his catalogue of country tunes.

“I know a few country songs, but now that one of my good friends is a country singer, I’m going to learn a few more so when I hear somebody singing country, I can argue my point with them about why my friend is better,” Sensabaugh said, laughing.

As for Sensabaugh, he’s settling into his new life of NFL stardom and looking forward to building on the Titans’ momentum in the latter part of the 2012 season.

“The toughest thing for this season was our record. I don’t feel our record really showed how good we were, but sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way, so all we can do is go back to working and build on what we did this year,” said Sensabaugh, a cornerback. “We started off kind of slow, but as the season went on, we got better and better. Our record may not have shown it, but we got better, so I’m excited at the direction the Titans are going and I’m happy to be a part of it.

“The biggest thing you have to adjust to is the business side of it. The football aspect of it doesn’t really change. The biggest change from the football aspect is you may be playing against somebody that you grew up watching as a kid. ... The first preseason game when we were out in Seattle, I was out there warming up and I seen Terrell Owens out there warming up. He was with the Seahawks, then, and I was like, man, I remember growing up watching him, I should go say something to him, then I was like, no. I stopped myself and I was like, I don’t think I can do that because I may be guarding him and I don’t want him to have one up on me, so I just kind of kept that to myself. Then when the regular season started, we started off with the Patriots and I seen Tom Brady out there warming up. I’ve grown up watching him, and he’s one of the best quarterbacks to play the game. After the first few games, though, it became the norm. It wasn’t as shocking.”

Sensabaugh is also focused on hosting his first free football camp — to be held June 15 at J. Fred Johnson Stadium in Kingsport for boys and girls ages 6-17 — and starting a nonprofit foundation in memory of his brother, Jamaar.

“That’s what it’s all about for me, giving back and just helping people any way I can,” Sensabaugh said. “The football thing, I don’t even look at it as a career. I just look at it as a short opportunity because I can’t do it forever, so while I’m here and I have the platform, I just want to help people as much as possible because that’s what people will remember about me when I’m dead and gone — what you did to help people. They won’t remember how many tackles you made.”

For tickets to the Feb. 22 concert, log onto www.knoxbijou.com  . To find out more about Blackwell, visit his website at www.bradblackwellmusic.com  .

Black History Month - Kingsport: 2013 Black History Program

Everyone invited to attend the annual Black History Program in Kingsport.

Location: Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rev. James Whiteside, Pastor, 1026 Maple Street, Kingsport

Date: February 17, 2013

Time: 4 PM

Speaker: Marion Smith, Jr., Atlanta, GA.

Subject: Commemorating 150 years of the Emancipation Proclamation, and 50 years since the 1963 March on Washington.

Sponsored by the New Vision Youth.

Black History Month - 2013 Annual Soul Food Gathering

Bring your appetites to the annual New Vision Youth Soul Food Gathering, on Friday, February 15th at 4:30 PM, until the food is gone.

The gathering will be held at 4 PM at the Riverview Community Room in the KHRA Building on Louis Street.

On the menu are soul food favorites like fried chicken, fried chitlins', venison, smoked neckbones, pig feet, meatloaf and fiferent casseroles. Also served will be soup beans, mac-n-cheese, greens, green beans, corn, cole slaw, fried cornbread and corn muffins.

If that doesn tickle your taste buds, from cabbage, ckicken and dumplins, rolls, baked beans, smoked barbeque, sliced chicken, sweet potatos, veggie tray, drinks and desserts.

The annual Soul Food gathering is free of charge.

The event is sponsored by New Vision Youth, the South Central Kingsport Community Development Corportion, Inc., and Friends of Distinction.

Black History Month - Kingsport: Field Trip to Swift Memorial - Price Public School

On Saturday, February 16th, the New Vision Youth of Kingsport and Riverview community leaders visited the Swift Memorial - Price Public School Museum in Historic Rogersville, Tennessee.

In 1868, a group of black community leaders purchased a plot of land on Hasson Street "for the purpose of building a schoolhouse for the education of colored children." In 1870, a two-room log school was erected and was used until 1922 when construction of this modern facility was begun. It is constructed of hand-fired bricks. The School was placed on the National Historical Register in 1988. One of the schoolrooms is devoted to a museum of Swift College and Price School memorabilia.

Swift Memorial College was a historically black college that operated in East Tennessee from 1883 to 1952. It was founded in Rogersville by the , a graduate of Maryville College and the African American pastor of a local Presbyterian congregation. Like many early black colleges, the institution focused on high school and normal school (teacher education) curriculum.


BELOW IS A SLIDESHOW OF THE VISIT:


Created with flickr slideshow.

Swafford, Foreman bound for UT

From Rev. Ricardo Dorcean

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS


By GEORGE THWAITES
gthwaites@timesnews.net
 
KINGSPORT — Dobyns-Bennett’s Malik Foreman said receiving a football scholarship offer from the University of Tennessee in late December was like “Christmas, birthdays, everything” all rolled into one.

A roomful of coaches, family and friends gathered at Dobyns-Bennett’s Alumni Field House Wednesday afternoon to belatedly share his elation.

Foreman, who started out playing wide receiver and defensive back for the Indians and ended up leading D-B to the state quarterfinals at quarterback, signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Vols next fall.
Earlier in the day, Volunteer High School observed its first-ever Division I football scholarship when offensive lineman Conner Trent signed to play for Middle Tennessee State.

Upstairs at Dobyns-Bennett’s “Taj Mahal” overlooking J. Fred Johnson Stadium, ceremonies were conducted for seven college-bound athletes, including five football players.

It was a big deal for all. In Foreman’s case, it was a Big Orange Deal.

“I’’d been watching UT football ever since I was a little kid. It has always been my dream to play there. So when they offered I just jumped right on it,” said Foreman, who de-committed from Vanderbilt in order to accept Tennessee’s bid.
Also recognized Wednesday was Devaun Swafford, who will enroll at Tennessee next fall. Swafford has been promised a football scholarship as part of the 2014 recruiting class, possibly sooner.

Swafford was working out with Foreman when UT running backs coach Jay Graham called the D-B field house. Graham is the lone Derek Dooley staffer retained by new Tennessee head coach Butch Jones.

“It came out of nowhere. He offered us both. He offered me a gray shirt and he offered (Foreman) a full scholarship. It was pretty exciting,” said Swafford, who received offers from seven NCAA Football Championship Series programs, including Furman, Liberty and Tennessee-Chattanooga.

During the 2012 season, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Foreman rushed for 1,269 yards and 17 touchdowns, also passing for 464 yards and four scores. He also had 14 catches for 278 yards and four TDs.

The Indians MVP and Big 8 Player of the Year had three punt returns for touchdowns and returned one kickoff for a score. He could show up as a either a defensive back or receiver at UT. He had six interceptions, seven pass breakups and forced seven fumbles for the Indians in 2012.

The 5-11, 176-pound Swafford rushed for 1,242 yards and 26 touchdowns as a running back. He had 16 pass receptions for 289 yards and four TDs. As a defensive back, he garnered Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year honors with 125 tackles, two pass breakups and five interceptions.

D-B coach Graham Clark noted that Tennessee showed no interest in either player until several weeks after Foreman had committed to Vanderbilt. Foreman was unmoved.

After Dooley’s departure, however, it quickly became obvious that positive changes were afoot in Knoxville. Finding a way to keep Foreman and Swafford on the same team was a smart recruiting move on Tennessee’s part, Clark said.

“They’re best friends. They’re workout partners. You’ll come down here on a Sunday afternoon and you’ll see them down in the stadium. I don’t know which one of them has to climb the fence,” quipped Clark.

Dobyns-Bennett offensive lineman Thomas Edwards was certainly impressed by the new shade of orange. He said he turned down opportunities FCS programs including Tennessee-Chattanooga and Austin Peay in order to join Tennessee next fall as a preferred walk-on. He’ll get a chance to compete for a scholarship as part of the squad.

Another big man having a big day Wednesday was Volunteer’s Trent, a surefooted offensive and defensive lineman who made a powerful impression on several Indians during the Falcons’ otherwise ill-fated Big 8 game at D-B last fall.
Trent’s signing ceremony was moved to the gymnasium due to testing in the library. The change of venue accommodated a significant contingent of appreciative Volunteer students in addition to coaches, family and friends.

“I always felt like I’d have the opportunity to play somewhere. I’m just excited about the opportunity and blessed,” said the 6-5, 300-pound Trent, who was courted by several schools, including Appalachian State.

The youngster’s early commitment to the Blue Raiders never wavered.

“No way. They were after me from the spring time. I want to go somewhere I’m wanted and they wanted me the most and I feel like that’s the place I want to be,” said Trent, who said all the recent media focus on Appalachian State alumnus Daniel Kilgore has motivated him to continue excelling.

“Every kid’s dream is to play in the NFL and if he did it, I figure I have just as good a chance. Right now I just need to focus on playing college football and getting stronger for that,” Trent said.

Other Dobyns-Bennett football players participating in Wednesday's signing ceremony included 6-2, 250-pound defensive lineman Trevor Gilliam, who'll play Division II ball for the University of Charleston (WVa.) and 6-3, 300-pound defensive lineman Jacob Weisman, who'll play for Division III Maryville College.