A Dark Day in History: The Kennedy Assassination and the impact on Douglass School in Kingsport

It was a nice, peaceful day in Dallas, Texas on Friday, November 22nd, 1963.. unusually cool and sunny for that city in November. But nobody seemed to mind.

After all.. the president was coming.

President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie had come to Dallas for a couple of speeches, and enthusiastic crowds had gathered to greet them along the way. Most of the women were mesmerized by Jacqueline Kennedy's natural beauty.. she always drew more looks and admiration than the president.

Almost a thousand miles to the east, a cool, but sunny day greeted the students of Douglass Elementary/High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. Admittedly, only a few students knew of the presidential trip to Dallas, and then probably because it was one of their social studies' assignments. Most of their classmates were engrossed in other school subjects and outdoor activities.

It was Friday afternoon. Everybody was anxious for the weekend to arrive.

Meanwhile in Dallas, President and Mrs. Kennedy had left one speaking engagement, enroute to another at the nearby Trade Mart. They were accompanied by Texas Governor John Connally and his wife. Their motorcade route would lead them across Dealey Plaza, right in front of the Texas School Book Depository Building.



It was approaching 1:30 PM Eastern Time in Kingsport.. all of the Douglass elementary students had returned to their classrooms after lunch, and were thoroughly involved in their studies.. likewise, Douglass High School students had also gone back to class after a hearty lunch.

There were no problems, no delays, no outward signs of trouble. Just a routine day at Douglass.

In Dallas, it was 12:30 PM Central Time. The presidential motorcade passes in front of the school book depository building.

And then... time stopped.

The first of several gunshots rings out.. the first catches President Kennedy in his seat in the back of the vehicle. He immediately grabs at his throat. Another bullet catches Governor Connally in the back.. still another absolutely shatters the president's head. Jackie Kennedy, who immediately grabs her husband after the first shot, instinctively tries to jump out of the vehicle after the third shot.

Everybody at the scene knew what had happened. The president's vehicle raced toward the nearest hospital, Parkland Memorial.

It was too late. Doctors feverishly work on the president's wounds, but are eventually forced to give up.

At 1 PM Central time, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy is pronounced dead.

Although broadcast news had not graduated yet to the immediacy level of satellite coverage and live TV pictures, it did not take long for the news to reach the far reaches of the country and the world.

And even in Kingsport, Tennessee, where the news is announced shortly after 2 PM by Principal V.O. Dobbins, Sr. over the classroom speakers in the Douglass School.

"I was in the third grade, Mrs. Sneed's class," remembers Valorie Davis Thompson. "As the announcement was given by Mr. Dobbins, she let out a loud gasp. She began to shake her head, and told us to put our heads on the desks."

"At the time, I didn't grasp the magnitude of the event, but I knew it was something very sad."

As the news traveled through the school building, other students recalled vivid memories of those shocking moments.

"I remember it as if it were last week," said Bert Webb Lanauze. "I was in Mr. Hendricks' math class. Mr. Dobbins came over the intercom, and announced the horrible news. I remember Bertie Green getting up and just running out of the room. Everyone (at least the girls) started crying."

She went on. "We had basketball practice that Friday afternoon. The team was fairly sure that (girls basketball) coach Hendricks would cancel the practice because everyone was so upset. He didn't. That was a looooong practice. I went home, and found my mom crying continuously. We sat in front of the television the ENTIRE weekend trying to make sense of the horrible tragedy. I was 13 years old. It was so very difficult to understand why anyone would want to kill OUR president!!!"


Walter Cronkite of CBS News announcing to the world that President John F. Kennedy had just died

The news continued to reverberate through the halls of Douglass like a rising torrent.

"I was in Mr. Deering's Biology Class," remembers Thelma Watterson. "All the girls started crying. It was so sad."

"I was also in Mr. Deering's biology class," says Doris Calloway. "I don't remember the death being confirmed yet. I heard that on news when I got home."

Others remember news of both the shooting and the death coming from Professor Dobbins at the same time. Dr. Rosemary Gray was in the 11th grade at Douglass.

"I was in Mrs. Walls' history class when Mr. Dobbins announced over the public address system that President John Kennedy had been shot and killed in Dallas, Texas," she remembers. "Classes were dismissed early. No one was talking, but we all knew that he was killed because he was trying to help (black people)."

"We got our things from our lockers, and because we were from Gate City, we rode the school bus back to Virginia, many of us sad with tears in our eyes. We were bussed across the state line to Tennessee to attend high school because schools were segregated then. We were not allowed to attend school with white people."

Dr. Gray remembers beginning a silent, gloomy ride back home to Gate City.

"Our bus driver, Jack Anderson, was already (at Douglass), waiting on us so he must have been notified before the announcement, in order to have been there, as we all filed out of school on November 22, 1963. When I got home, my mother was already there- crying. We both cried and watched TV almost around the clock until his funeral."

"We were crying so much that my Uncle Hoyate Turner, Sr., got on us about it. I think we had a feeling that things were going to get worse for Black people because in a few years Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. suffered the same fate: he was assassinated, too."

Outside of Douglass, the news of the Kennedy assassination went through the heart and soul of every African-American who heard it.

Helen Bunting remembers the feeling well.

"I lived in White Plains, NY, I was 20 yrs. old," she says. "I had the TV on, and it said the President had been shot. I told my sister, she said 'not the President of the United States?' I told her it sounded like that is what it said. We started watching TV and they kept talking about it. After, I had to go out (probably to work) and it seemed as if it was so quiet. It was eerie, as if the world had changed. After returning home, that is all we watched on TV."

"I was at Clinton Junior College, in Rock Hill, S.C.," remembers Douglass Releford. "We were sitting in class when someone said the President had been shot. We were all in shock because we did not believe something like that could happen. We were all told to report to the chapel. We were then led in prayer and then everyone began to say their own prayer."

For Douglass graduates who were already raising families outside the community, the news was just as devastating.

"I had finished Douglass High School and Knoxville College and was married, living in Chattanooga. Tennessee with my husband Wallace," says Shirley Burnette Powers, a 1952 graduate of Douglass. "We were getting dressed to leave home to attend an engagement when it happened. We were too shocked to go."

"It was such a tragic thing to happen to President Kennedy."



UPON HEARING THE NEWS OF THE PRESIDENT'S DEATH

As the nation pauses to remember the 50th anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history, the full impact of the Kennedy assassination on the African-American community has been profound. Although President Kennedy had committed the United States to sending humans to the moon before the end of the 60's, he also embraced civil rights, and the Peace Corps, programs that positively affected black people. He was friendlier to African Americans than other presidents had been, and people thought he had done a lot in making positive connections with Martin Luther King Jr. When police in southern states responded violently to civil rights demonstrations, it was U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy, the president's brother, who dispatched federal troops to ensure the safety of black demonstrators.




FROM THE DOUGLASS SCHOOL ANNUAL, 1964

Because of that, most African-Americans hold special places in their hearts for President Kennedy and his entire family, almost as much as Franklin D. Roosevelt, because of his wife Eleanor and her championing the improvement of black life back in the 30's... and Abraham Lincoln, whose Emancipation Proclamation freed the black man from slavery during the Civil War.

Kennedy's benevolence towards minorities left a reverent imprint on the African-American community, and a special place in the hearts of black people, especially among the alumni of the Douglass School in Kingsport.

Shirley Powers sums it all up.

"We still keep his family in our thoughts and prayers."


Observations from Calvin Sneed, the Associated Press & contributors; Photos courtesy ABC News, Getty Images, CBS News and WJLA-TV Washington


POSTINGS FROM FACEBOOK:

FROM CHARLOTTE MAXWELL: I was in the 10th grade at Douglass and Mr Gill had everybody to come to the auditorium where the one televison that was there was put on the stage and everyone watched then we were sent home. It was on a Friday. I remember very well because that's the day my father stopped smoking.

Our Lives are Amazing!

To Those of Us
Born

1925 -
1970

At the end of
this email is a quote of the month by Jay Leno. If you don't read anything
else, please

read what he
said.

Very well
stated, Mr. Leno.

~~~~~~~~~

TO ALL THE KIDS
WHO SURVIVED THE

1930s, '40s,
'50s, '60s and '70s!!

First, we
survived being born to mothers who may have smoked and/or
drank

while they were
pregnant.

They took
aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for
diabetes.

Then, after that
trauma, we were

put to sleep on
our tummies

in baby cribs
covered

with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no
childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or
cabinets,

and, when we
rode our bikes,

we had baseball
caps,

not helmets, on
our heads.

As infants and
children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat
belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes..

Riding in the
back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special
treat.

We drank water
from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one
soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from
this.

We ate cupcakes,
white bread, real butter, and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white
sugar. And we weren't overweight.

WHY?

Because we
walked to school and had recesses twice a day

or we were
always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave
home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the
streetlights came on.

No one was able
to reach us all day.

--And, we were
OKAY.

We would spend
hours building

our go-carts out
of scraps

and then ride
them down the hill,

only to find out
we forgot the brakes.. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned
to solve the problem..

We did not have
Play Stations, Nintendos and X-boxes. There were

no video games,
no 150 channels on cable,

no video movies
or DVDs,

no
surround-sound or CDs,

no cell
phones,

no personal
computers,

no Internet and
no chat rooms.

WE HAD
FRIENDS

and we went
outside and found them!

We fell out of
trees, got cut,

broke bones and
teeth,

and there were
no lawsuits

from those
accidents.

We would get
spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping-pong paddles, or just a bare
hand, and no one would call child services to report abuse.

We ate worms,
and mud pies

made from dirt,
and

the worms did
not live in us forever.

We were given BB
guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls,
and

-although we
were told it would happen- we did not put out very many
eyes.

We rode bikes or
walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just
walked in and talked to them.

Little League
had tryouts

and not everyone
made the team.

Those who didn't
had to learn

to deal with
disappointment.

Imagine
that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever. The past 50 to 85 years have seen an explosion of innovation and new ideas.. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all. If YOU are one of those born between 1925-1970, CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good. While you are at it, forward it to your kids, so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ? ~~~~~~~ The quote of the month by Jay Leno: "With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us...go ahead and delete this. For the rest of us.....pass this on.

Fundraising News.. Helping Band.. A Lost Scholarship Find

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association is getting back into the dish cloth business.

It's by popular demand.

"Selling dish cloths has been very popular for us in our fundraising efforts," says Alumni Board President Douglas Releford, and a number of board members agreed at the meeting of the Board on October 19th. Towards those efforts, Vicki Smith told the group that folks have been asking about the Southland Mills dish cloths previously sold during fundraisers.

Southland Mills of Moyock, N.C. requires a minimum count of 10 dozen dish cloths to be purchased by the group, to which the Alumni Association will sell individual ones for $2.00. The company offers them in various colors: Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow are the basic colors. Often there are variations such as light green, light blue, etc.

Among their strengths, each individual dish cloth also has the following attributes:

•Cotton Cloth

• Made in the USA

• Sanitary and ravel free

• Size is Approx. 10" x 13"

• Manufacturer Located in the U.S. Since 1884

Not to mention the fact that the money raised, will help the Sons and Daughters of Douglass in its various fundraising efforts.

President Releford related a plea from D-B Band Director Lafe Cook.. the renown Dobyns-Bennett Band, has been invited to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasedena, California on New Year's Day. Cook wants to take all of the members of the band to Pasedena, and the trip organizers are struggling to raise money, $2,000 dollars per band member. Doug suggested to the board that the Alumni Association consider cutting the scholarship award next year, in order to give the D-B band $500 dollars so that our black band members can make the trip. A motion was made and seconded, and with the discussion centering about what a great experience the trip would be for our students, the motion was passed unanimously.

Board member Wallace Ross, Jr. also suggested that the plea go out to all Douglass Alumni for financial support, recalling memories of the Douglass High School Band, led by our beloved Dr. Howard Young.

Speaking of fundraising, bring your empty stomachs and your donations to a fish fry, sponsored by the New Vision Youth the day after Thanksgiving, November 29th. The youth will be selling fish sandwiches and fish dinners, with proceeds going to the Dobyns-Bennett Band to support their trip to the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. The location is the Riverview Community Room, rain or shine from 12 Noon until the food is gone. Please come out and support the young people and the Alumni Association.

The annual Kingsport Chamber of Commerce Dinner is fast approaching (your Alumni Association is a member of the Chamber in good standing). At the Board meeting, members discussed attending the dinner again, based on the wonderful time and the ability to network with other area Chamber members. Tickets go on sale in January, and are $100 dollars apiece. Our table seats 10, and so far 8 board members are on the list to attend.

It's been several years since the beloved Douglass athletic trophies were returned to their home in the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex, formerly the Douglass High School. President Releford brought to the meeting a long lost plaque, that acknowledges the V.O. Dobbins Scholastic Memorial Award. The award was dedicated to the memory of former Douglass principal V.O. Dobbins, Sr., and beginning in 1982, scholarships in Professor Dobbins' name were awarded to African-American students at Dobyns-Bennett High School. The scholarships began in 1982 with Byron Williamson, Angela Maxwell in 1983, Delbert Davis in 1986, Rhonda Kincaid in 1987, Shana Wright in 1988, Deeya Dobbins in 1989, and when the funds ran out, Chad Machen received the last scholarship in 1990. President Releford asked the board members if they wanted to add the name of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association to the scholarship plaque. The names would not change, but would share the same plaque to be called "The V.O. Dobbins Sr./Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Scholarship Award." A motion was made, seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Final item on the October agenda, was the unveiling of a replica of a recent Kingsport Times-News article, which featured board treasurer Shelia Leeper's grandson Brenton, and how his Douglass scholarship helped him get started in his college career. The company who offered the replica, "In The News," is offering the mounting for sale for $140 dollars. After a motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to purchase it, Calvin Sneed offered $20.00 to start off the fundraising effort to purchase it.

The board decided to take November and December off for the holidays, noting there will be a called meeting when the ordered dish cloths come in.

Celebrate My Drive

Auto crashes are the number one cause of death among teens in North America.

To help cut down on that, high schools like Dobyns-Bennett joined together with State Farm Insuance in a national competition to rally around around young drivers and encourage them to make safe driving choices every tim they're behind the wheel. Nathan Vaughn State Farm Insurance of Kingsport was the local sponsor this year.

Celebrate My Drive was created by State Farm last year, to share the belief that safe driving is a lifelong commitment.

Since then, thousands of students, family, friends and high school staff members have joined the party.

(Photos from Jaquetta Hale)

Men & Boys: "Just Having Fun" Day

In cooperation with a couple of other organizations, the men's group (ABC--All Brothers in Christ), will be having a "MEN & BOYS JUST HAVING FUN DAY" in Surgoinsville, Tn off Fiddler Lane (Across from Surgoinsville's Riverfront Park) on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 beginning at 12 NOON.

Please announce this and bring a young boy/man so we can fellowship and have fun with them while showing them the wonder of God's love for them. All are welcome but we especially want to see/talk with boys and young men to show them that there are "alternatives" in life...in particular those without a "positive" male role model in their lives.

Rolax Jones (Persia Baptist) is the President. Pastor C. Roy Charles (ABC member & and Pastor of Hasson Street Christian Church) is our program/work coordinator.

Again, you are invited "to the River" (across from Surgoinsville's Riverfront Park) in Surgoinsville, TN.

Time: 12 Noon ---until ???


"fishing" --going for a catch
"free food & water"---for physical & spiritual feeding
"Fun"---fun and fellowship with and for all and to the "One" who is "ALL"


Small (f's) can build larger (F's), which can spell and lead to (FORGIVENESS and FAITH).


p.s. Please bring your fishing gear, if you want to do some fishing (it's private property)

Gents to Gentlemen: Princes of Personality

Kingsport's Princes of Personality have been crowned, and what a fine group of young men have been recognized!

The 2013 edition of the "Gents to Gentlemen Male Pageant" was held on Saturday, October 19 at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the New Vision Youth, Kingsport Parks and Recreation and the Taylor-Hamilton Insurance Agency.

Host of the event was B.T. Tarter, and music was provided by Witness.

Nobody was on the losing end this particular Saturday night.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

In the age divisions, Mr. Cutie Pie (ages birth to 4 years) is Quest Jani Hale, 22 months.

Mr. Gent (ages 5 to 12 Years) is 6-year old Micah Hale.

Mr. Gentleman (ages 1-to-18 years old) is 15-year old Tyrick Hale.

Mr. Smile (all ages) is 12-year old Nelson Overbey.

Mr. New Vision Youth (5-to-16 years old) is also Nelson Overbey.

Mr. Photogenic (all ages) is 2-year old Tresan Hamler.

Mr. Wiseman (19-to-49 years old) is 40-year year Brad McKee.

Mr. Congeniality (all ages) is 7-year old is Preston Fullen.

Mr. Best-dressed Male (all ages) is 10-year old Malachi Williams.

Mr. Man (ages 13 to-18 years old) is 15-year old Tyrick Hale.

Best Total Package (all ages) is a tie: 15-year old Tyrick Hale and Quest Naji Hale (22 months).

Mr. Handsome (all ages) is 7-year old Preston Fullen.

Brothers Domingo Hale and Kimario Hale both won the Prettiest Legs Contest, voted on by the audience.

Finally, the People's Choice contestant, als voted on by the people in the audience is 6-year old Micah Hale.

Judges for the 2013 "Gents to Gentlemen Male Pageant" were Autumn Brown, 2014 Miss Kingsport... Mark Kilgore, City of Kingsport Bays Mountain Planetarium.... Angel Blye, retired Kingsport substitute teacher... and Tonya Fields, Eastman employee.

Proceeds from the pageant benefit the Kingsport Literacy Council and the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, Inc.

WARNING! Roads to be Blocked in Riverview Again

Heads up to anyone in Riverview right now, or hoping to get into Riverview this coming Saturday!

The Haunted Half Marathon is being run in Kingsport on Saturday, October 26th, and you may find it difficult to get in and out of our community for several hours on that day.

Please see the map, and click on it to enlarge it (Riverview is in the lower right-hand corner at the bottom of the picture). Once again, runners in the marathon will run in a circular route from downtown Kingsport, down Sullivan Street, then right on Wilcox Boulevard and under the railroad underpass, down to the Toy Reid Eastman Employee Center, then north onto Industry Drive and all the way down to the Netherland Inn circle, and back around under the railroad underpass, and back to Center Street.

There are only 2 ways to get into Riverview, and this is the same route last year, that caused Lincoln-MLK Drive to be blocked by police for runners to pass, and the intersection of Wheatley and Industry Drive to be blocked also. Riverview is the only community of homes to be completely surrounded by the race route, and stands to be the most affected by roadblocks at both of its two entrances.

Since the many complaints from Riverview residents about being cut off from the rest of the city during the race, Haunted Half Marathon director Hank Brown has assured us that race administrators have consulted with Kingsport Police about access to the Riverview Community.

That remains to be seen.

Here is a link to the Douglass Website story from last year.

If you have trouble getting in and out of Riverview on Saturday, please let your Douglass website editor know and we will once again, adddress your concerns with Mr. Brown and the Kingsport Police Department. Our email is: douglassriverview@gmail.com

Vic Danger Day in Kingsport for a Good Cause!

Douglass Alumni Board Meeting on Saturday

The Douglass Alumni Board of Directors will meet in regular session this coming Saturday, October 19th, 2013.

The meeting will be at 1 PM, in the Eastman Conference Room at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex tower.

We have important issues to discuss, so board members and interested parties should make plans to attend.

Douglas Releford
Board President

Remembering Vic Danger Through Your Continued Contributions

FROM OUR SISTER GRETTA SIMON AND TEAM VIC DANGER:


The fundraising continues for a very important cause, through the recent Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk, held at LP Field this past Friday, October 11, 2013 in Nashville. The goal is to find better treatments and cures for blood cancers so patients can live better, longer lives. I'm asking you to help by making a tax-deductible contribution! Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly & securely. You will receive an email confirmation of your donation as soon as it is made. I thank you in advance for your support which will make a difference in the lives of thousands of patients battling blood cancers.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF VICTOR SIMON

I really appreciate your generosity!!


Click here to make a contribution


Thank you,

Gretta Simon
Team Vic Danger




ALSO FROM KATHY JONES

I'm sending and resending this!!!its the up most importance to donate to a great cause, it doesn't matter if its $1.00 or 20.00 is what comes from your heart!!those of you who know my son (LIL "VIC DANGER) Corey, his father is looking down from heaven and saying "AWWWW come on you guys lets get this done!!! his dad loved him and was one his great supporters, so dig deep down in your heart and think if this was your only way to stay alive is by donating a few bucks to keep my son alive, he is a great person and very loving husband, father, mentor and has more faith than I can explain has had to battle this for 30 years of his 37 years of his life, as his MOTHER those that have a child that has been in the hospital so many times , I have lost count, so let get this moving for he is so deserving and this is my truth and prayer that he be able to get a KIDNEY & PANCREAS TRANSPLANT, so he can enjoy the rest of his life, if you know him like I do you would love him as much, he is a good son, a great blessing that GOD has place on this EARTH thank you(HIS SO EVER LOVING MOTHER)

Click here to support KIDNEY& PANCREAS TRANSPLANT by Corey DeShawn Robinson

(KATHY JONES ROBINSON) Thank You!

Riverview Community Fall Clean-Up 2013

"It's good to see our community isn't as littered as it used to be."

Those words from a beaming Jeannie Hodges of event co-sponsor South Central Kingsport Community Development Corporation, as the annual Fall Clean-Up campaign in Riverview, netted only a few bags of trash and litter.  The total trash collection this time, was almost 2/3rd's less than it usually is.

"Usually when the trash collectors come back, they've got bags and bags full of litter and debris," she says.  "This time, they spent a lot less time out and that's a good thing.  We're down to about an hour, maybe 90 minutes of collection time."

Adding to the lesser amount of trash picked up, was the fact that not that many folks showed up to participate in the clean-up.  Back in the spring, 80 participants from the New Vision Youth to Kingsport Community Services came out to canvass the streets and alleys of Riverview.  This time, about 40 members of New Vision Youth were out, with only two from Community Services.

"I think even the kids were surprised that they didn't have to work as hard this time around," says Mrs. Hodges.

In previous years, the event was part of the nationwide Great American Clean-Up, but Mrs. Hodges says in recent months, there hasn't been much involvement from the national effort. She says, South Central Kingsport keeps it going as a service to the community.

Will there ever come a time when there is no trash to be picked up at all in Riverview?

"Wouldn't that be nice," Mrs. Hodges thought out loud.  "We probably won't ever reach that goal, but it's a good one to shoot for.

Meanwhile, the lack of trash allowed folks to show off their fall flowers.

"It shows that people really care about their community."

Ronald Lindsey obituary

I have been looking for several weeks for the obituary for Riverivew's Ronald Lindsey, who passed away in Michigan this summer.

If anyone has that obituary, or can tell me where to find it, please let me know.

I need to post it in the PASSINGS AND OBITUARIES page.

Thanks!

Editor

Waiting their turn....

Representin' Riverview

Farewell to the Flowers

As a consequence to the passing of summer into the impending chill of fall and the downright cold of winter.. all the local flowers and their pretty colors leave us.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

To remember their pagentry and elegance, please enjoy this slideshow of the beautiful flowers in the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex courtyard, from their peak during this past summer on Wheatley Street.

Soon, there will be flowers planted around the Douglass School state historical marker nearby.

As you peruse the splendid colors, be mindful of God's Creations, and how He always makes brilliant, and takes care of things He loves.

Your Douglass Website Editor

Douglass Alumni Board Meeting 9/21/13 Odds & Ends

The topics of bringing Kingsport Ebony Club members into the Sons and Daughters of Douglass, attending the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, and an update on the Douglass auditorium seats being refinished and mounted with plaques honoring past alumni, dominated the alumni board meeting of September 21st.

After President Douglas Releford brought the meeting to order and board member Ozine Bly gave the prayer, one little bit of unfinished business was performed.. the swearing-in of Recording Secretary Vicki Smith, who was absent from the ceremony a month ago. The minutes of the last meeting were accepted with a minor change or two, and the financial report was read and accepted.


In old business, after a reminder to board members to keep thinking about fundraising ideas, discussion began on efforts to invite and incorporate members of the Kingsport Ebony Club into the Sons and Daughters of Douglass board, as voting members with full powers. President Releford recalled a meeting years ago at St. Mark's Methodist Church, when the board voted to bring Ebony Club members into the organization, but nothing was ever pursued. Calvin mentioned that, as a board, we have an obligation to honor the Douglass Alumni body's business meeting mandate to bring them into our fold, and that he had been talking with Ebony Club member Trippy Deal to come on board. Trippy's primary role would be in the area of entertainment and concerts, because he has tremendous experience in that area. Concerts would be excellent fundraisers for the alumni organization. Ebony Club member Johnnie Mae Swagerty was also mentioned, because of h/er outreach with young people involving her group New Vision Youth. Several Douglass board members mentioned the youth group's volunteer spirit in the community, and how well-behaved they are.

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass, Inc. is a member in good standing with the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. Members who attended the Chamber's annual dinner last year, and said many good things about the experience. The Board is already talking about attending next year's Chamber dinner on February 7th at Meadowview. The deadline to let the Chamber know of our intention to attend is October 25th.


Under new business, Calvin mentioned that the Kingsport Times-News had picked up the story on the Douglass website on the alumni scholarship program. The article he wrote, would be published under the "Sunday Stories" magazine in the newspaper on Sunday, September 22nd, featuring D-B graduate and football standout Brenton Leeper and how the scholarship helped him make ends meet in college.

One of the scholarships ran into a problem being credited to the appropriate school (Douglass scholarships are paid directly to the school's financial aid office in the name of the student awarded the scholarship), but Recording Secretary Vicki Smith is working to get that corrected.

Calvin told the group that, because of the tremendous response from alumni who purchased a Douglass auditorium seat to dedicate in honor of a loved alumnus, second and third sets of seats are being planned. James "Moose" Henry did a fine job of refinishing the first set, on display in the Douglass Community Room, and is being commissioned to do the additional sets of 4 seats apiece. Once those are done, the new sets, along with the current set in the Community Room, will be placed in their new home, just outside the Community Room, between the two double doors in front of the large display case. The dedication plaques are already done and are awaiting the re-finished seats.


Calvin also mentioned that talks are on-going with the city of Kingsport about access to the Douglass athletic trophies. Currently, they are housed in a beautiful display case inside the Douglass Community Room at V.O. Dobbins, but the room is usually locked to keep kids using the building's gyms from going in, and also to keep adults from using the room as a shortcut to the non-profit tower. Calvin says, V.O. Dobbins Complex building maintenance and Parks & Rec employees are extremely good about opening the doors whenever anyone wants to see the trophies, but so as not to bother the employees when they are busy, other ways of access are being discussed, especially on Saturdays when many visitors have more free time.




NEXT DOUGLASS BOARD MEETING: Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 1 PM in the Eastman Conference Room of the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex Tower.

Blake Leeper Joins Komen in "Race For The Cure"

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is proud to announce that U.S. Para Olympian Gold Medalist, Blake Leeper, who was raised in Kingsport, TN and attended Dobyns Bennett High School is joining Komen Tri-Cities to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and is Racing along with us to raise awareness and to help bring an end to this disease.

Thank you Blake for turning your skates Pink and joining along with the thousands locally who support our Mission!!

The Susan G. Tri-Cities 8th Annual Race for the Cure, 5K Walk/Run event, is Sunday October 20, 3pm Memorial Park, Kingsport

Knoxville Community Leader Receives National Recognition

National Urban League CEO Marc Morial presents Knoxville Area Urban League CEO Phyllis Nichols with the national 2013 Women of Power award, which recognizes leadership, vision and commitment to civil rights.

National Urban League President Marc Morial, in Knoxville and Oak Ridge Sept. 26-27, presented Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) President and CEO Phyllis Nichols the organization's 2013 Women of Power award.

The award recognized Nichols' effective leadership of the local affiliate and her contributions to the National Urban League, the nation's largest civil rights organization.

"She has built a strong, effective and respected affiliate here in Knoxville," said Morial, who served two terms as mayor of New Orleans before becoming president of the National Urban League. "She has been a leader in the internal councils of the Urban League movement and has been a strong voice for affiliates that come from medium-sized communities."

Nichols has been with KAUL since 1994 and has served as president and CEO since 2000. The native of Kingsport, TN and her husband, Jim, a Realtor, live in West Knoxville. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Morial presented the award at a reception sponsored by Moxley Carmichael and the Knoxville Area Urban League and attended by elected officials and business and community leaders. Moxley Carmichael CEO Cynthia Moxley is chair of the KAUL.

The reception and other activities Morial attended gave the national civil rights leader an opportunity to promote the Urban League's Jobs Rebuild America program. The $100 million program is aimed at fostering economic empowerment through support of education, jobs and entrepreneurship.

"It is the responsibility of our generation to pass the torch and make it better for the generation coming up," Morial said. "Our focus is on jobs and empowerment. Young people need to participate fully in the American economy. I urge you to support the work of the local Urban League."
The KAUL is also involved in promoting jobs and economic empowerment for all on the local level through training, mentoring, career building and job placement, as well as education and youth development programs.

The organization manages the National Achievers Society, recognizing students of color for their academic achievement, and the Digital Connectors program that teaches leadership and technical skills to students.

The KAUL provides shoes and school supplies each year to 1,000 young people in the "Shoes for School" program and assists adults in home ownership.
In addition to meeting with local business and community leaders, Morial met with KAUL board members and toured the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

About the Knoxville Area Urban League
Since 1968, the Knoxville Area Urban League has assisted disadvantaged people attain social and economic stability and self-sufficiency through direct services and advocacy. The League works to provide a skilled and diverse workforce; to increase homeownership; to support economic and small business development, and to enhance education efforts for our youth. The Knoxville Area Urban League is a United Way partner agency and affiliate of the National Urban League. The League's work and results are evident in the lives of the over 8,000 people it impacts each year. For more information, go to www.thekaul.org.
For more information on the Knoxville Area Urban League and its programs, call 865-524-5511 or visit http://www.thekaul.org.

On the Hot Seat

I had the opportunity to be on the field during the UT game to watch my cousin Devaun Swafford play. I am so proud of him!!!

Dimingo Hale

Local People, Kingsport Organizations to Receive Money

On September 14, 2013, the New Vision Youth held a yard sale fundraiser at the Title Max on East Stone Drive in Kingsport to give back to the community.

The money raised went to local leukemia patient Hunter Housewright Leukemia Patient, flood victims in downtown Kingsport, and also the Friends/Neighbors Homeless Organization.

Making a Big Splash During his First College Football Year

Photo courtesy the Kingsport Times-News

Tennessee's Devaun Swafford (13) outruns Florida wide receiver Trey Burton (8) after intercepting a pass and taking it 62 yards to the end zone for a touchdown, during the first haof of Saturday's Southeastern Conference game in Gainesville, Florida.

Devaun is a DB graduate, a Riverview resident and a member of the Central Baptist Church.

Don't Forget Douglass Alumni Board Meeting This Saturday

The Executive/Working Board of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, Inc. will meet in regular session this coming Saturday, September 21st.

The meeting will convene at 1 PM, in the Eastman Conference Room of the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport.

All board members and anyone with business before the board, are encouraged to attend this important meeting.

As the New Douglass Alumni Board is Sworn In, Prez Says, Exciting 2 Years are Ahead

"We do solemly swear that we will carry out the duties and the functions of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, Incorporated, and we will strive as officers of the Executive Board to maintain decorum and to carry out the financial business of the organization for the terms we are elected to.. so help us God."

With that oath of office, the new members of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Executive Board were sworn in for two-year terms. Executive Board members are:

Douglass Releford, President
Louetta Hall, Vice-President
Vicki Smith, Recording Secretary
Andra Watterson, Financial Secretary
Sheila Leeper, Treasurer
Thelma Watterson, Correspondence Secretary
Ethel Ruth Russell, Chaplain
Alan Watterson, Sergeant-At-Arms
Van Dobbins, Permanent Executive Board member in charge of Food Service/Hospitality
Calvin Sneed, Permanent Executive Board member in charge of Marketing and the Douglass Website Webmaster
Don Hickman, Permanent Executive Board member, Resident Parlimentarian

President Releford says, the next term of the board is going to be an exciting one.

"We have a unique challenge ahead of us," President Releford says. "At our recent reunion, our alumni body delivered a mandate to us as board members to extend the hand of fellowship and bring onto our board, members of the Kingsport Ebony Club Alumni Association. They are our Sons and Daughters in reality, and they are the future Sons and Daughters of Douglass in principal. It's way past time for us to bring members of the Ebony Club into our organization, to combine what they are doing with what we are doing."

Releford says, both organizations can benefit from each other's strengths.

"We don't want Ebony Club members to lose their identity," he says. "They can offer us a younger, fresher approach to fundraising and community involvement. In turn, the Douglass Alumni Association can offer them our standing in the Kingsport community, our contacts and our connection to the legacy of Douglass High School. It's a win-win for both organizations."

He says, the board actually voted to bring in Ebony Club members in 1998.

"I was looking over some of the old board meeting minutes," he says. "During this past Reunion's business meeting, our older members, especially the out-of-town ones were adamant about getting younger people onto our board. Our numbers are dropping every year.. we are losing many of our beloved members, and pretty soon, there will be no original alumni to celebrate and carry on the tradition of Douglass. The good thing is, the Ebony Club members already know about the Douglass School heritage, they were brought up in the shadow of the school building, and they know what its legacy means. We want them to be a part of the decision-making process that keeps the organization a vital part of Riverview and the Kingsport community."

Releford also says, look for a lot of fundraising during the next two years for programs and activities that benefit residents. Designated a charitable corporation by the Tennessee Secretary of State, and a 501(c)3 charity by the Internal Revenue Service, allows any donation to the Sons and Daughters of Douglass, Inc., to be tax-deductible.

"When it comes to our fundraising, we are not the type of organization that tries to get its name in the paper all the time," he says. "We participate in Kingsport civic activities not to get recognition or praise, but we do it because we are supposed to. We were taught at Douglass, to let our talents be felt, not flaunted. We are not the type of organization that is a publicity hound.. we do what we do in Riverview and Kingsport because we want to be good corporate citizens and neighbors in Kingsport."

Other business that came before the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board at the meeting on August 17th, besides the Executive Board members swearing in ceremony, were more alumni wanting to purchase Douglass Auditorium seats. Louetta Hall said she and her sister Kathy Stewart also plan to purchase one, and the board updated the list of purchasers (look for a web story on the auditorium seat fundraiser soon.

Ozine Bly gave the financial report for the organization. New checks have to be printed for the new Executive Board members who are authorized to sign them on behalf of the organization.

NEXT SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF DOUGLASS BOARD MEETING: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013.

New Vision Youth Yard Sale for Flood Victims

New Vision Youth Yard Sale

"GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY"


Saturday, September 14, 2013

9 AM to 2 PM

Location: Title Max, 1112 E. Stone Drive, in front of Burlington Coat Factory

Money raised will go to Downtown Kingsport flood victims, friends and neighbors, and leukemia patient Hunter Housewright.

Items for sale: clothing, housewares, shoes, etc.

Inexpenseive prices and donations accepted.

MUST SEE TV from Chattanooga: 2 Girls & Intruders in the House

Two African-American girls, ages 11 and 12 in their home this past Saturday in Chattanooga, TN..
Intruders break in to steal items, and the oldest girl pulls her little sister into a closet to hide and she also calls 9-1-1..
They are saved, but the video will bring tears to your eyes at what was going through their minds during this terrifying time..

Every Douglass alumni and Riverview community parent needs to sit down and watch this with their children, to make sure they know what to do in a similar situation..

Click here to see the story from "Good Morning America" that uses video from WTVC-TV, where your Douglass Website editor works in Chattanooga

This story had the GMA anchors in tears, at the bravery of these two girls.

Foreman Getting Quality Practice Time

Malik Foreman of Kingsport and Riyahd Jones go through drills during UT practice this week at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. (Photo: Daniel Lewis through Nooga.com)

See the Live Broadcast of the President's Syria Speech

Grandparents Day lunch set Saturday

• New Vision Youth in partnership with Kingsport Parks and Recreation and South Central Kingsport Development will hold its annual Happy Grandparents Day Luncheon Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the V.O. Dobbins Center Douglass Room.

The menu will include homemade hamburger soup, creamy chicken & vegetable soup, potato soup, crackers, bread, fried cornbread, desserts and drinks.

Special entertainment will be provided by gospel recording artist Uncle Jesse Battle from Atlanta and Jevonte Lyons from New Vision Youth.

There will be door prizes for the oldest and youngest grandparent, grandparent with the most grandchildren, and the grandparent who traveled the farthest.

Every grandparent is welcome to attend this free community event. For more information, contact Johnnie Mae Swagerty, (423) 429-7553.

"How Will I Pay for College?" One Douglass Descendant Takes Care of the Little Things First

"The Douglass scholarship, in a way, got me started."

3 years ago, Brenton Leeper found himself a Dobyns-Bennett graduate, facing a big dilemma. He'd been a stellar football player for the D-B Indians, and received a football scholarship to Brevard College, north of Asheville, NC.

But that scholarship only provided room, board and classes. It did not cover any of the little things that a student needs to make the grade.
 

"At Brevard, it cost $14,000 dollars a semester," he remembers. "The football scholarship provided $11,000 dollars of that, and a Pell Grant, covered $2,000 dollars. The remaining $3,000 did not cover all the books that I needed, and 3 years ago I was looking to major in business. Books were essential, and I just couldn't afford them all."

That summer between D-B and Brevard is where the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni scholarship entered his life.

"That $500 dollars from the Douglass alumni, came right at the time that I needed it," says Leeper. "I had math that first semester, I had English.. I had all the basic first-year studies at that time. I had to buy 3 or 4 books that year, plus others as the semesters wore on.. Man, they were expensive. Books are an arm and a leg."

"That was $500 dollars I could just tell my nana (Mrs. Shelia Leeper) to keep, and not worry about trying to raise it at that time."

Scholarships of $500 dollars are provided to African-American descendants of Douglass Elementary/High School every year. Douglass was Kingsport's all-black high school until it closed in 1966. Since then, thousands of dollars have been awarded to high school descendants of Douglass alumni.

"The hope is that these young people will use the scholarship to, first of all, carry on the legacy of the Douglass school," says Douglass Releford (Douglass '64), president of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association. "By continuing their higher education, they are a reflection on the education their their ancestors got when they attended the school. The Douglass teachers always encouraged us to pass on what we have learned by attending college, and by helping today's descendants, we think we're fulfilling that goal."

All of the students who have received scholarships from the Douglass alumni, have used the money for its intended purpose.

"We've helped fund the education for descendants who went on to become doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, financial managers, authors, teachers," says Releford. "Some went into the military, professional sports.. it's a good cross-section of careers in our goal to help the students get started right out of high school. Money for the scholarships comes from our alumni, and from the annual Douglass Alumni Memorial Golf Tournament that dedicated alumni members Frank Horton, Donald Hickman and John Hardy help us sponsor every year."

Releford says, many African-American students have difficulty coming up with the money for college at high school graduation.

"Studies have shown that the cost of college is almost unaffordable for folks in the black community, and unless students get some kind of academic or athletic scholarship, parents are in the hole real quick. The cost of just books alone can be staggering. Our scholarships are designed to help students who qualify get over the smaller financial humps, so they can concentrate on the bigger costs."

"Every penny helps."

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board, considering scholarship applications at a meeting in the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex

The potential scholarship recipent has to be the descendant of a Douglass alumni and that would be anyone who attended the school. The alumni has to have a current membership in the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association. Recipients are required to fill out an questionnaire on where they want to attend college, then write an essay on their ambitions, and how the scholarship will help them achieve that goal. A selection committee from the alumni Board of Directors judges the applications, and the ones that qualify get notified immediately. Releford says, there is always a time deadline between the awarding of the scholarship, and the time the potential college student needs it.

The 2013 Scholarship winners are Devaun Swafford (University of Tennessee); Hunter Muller (Northeast State); Cyndee Morrisette (Maryville College); and Jessica Cherry (University of Kentucky).

Brenton says, applying for a Douglass alumni scholarship was a no-brainer for him and his family..

"Riverview is where I grew up," he says. "Most of the folks in the Riverview community and in the alumni association watched me grow up. They've always been there for me growing up whenever I needed encouragement. It only made sense that I apply for it, because they all knew what kind of person I am. Same for everybody else who applies for the Douglass scholarship."

"It's always been one big family."

Times have changed for Brenton Leeper. He's now at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, an offensive lineman.. the same position he played at Brevard. He also has bigger apirations.

"I'm thinking of changing my major, maybe to communications," he says. "There's a whole lot you can do with a communications degree.. every job out there wants people who know how to talk, how to get a message across and communicate with people. I've also been thinking about a Navy career, too, especially with the travel and exploring different parts of the world."

He credits the Douglass alumni scholarship with keeping his feet planted firmly in the right direction.

"It was a blessing having that to lean on," he says.

"It helped in the small ways most people don't think about."