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King events

were success

To the Editor.

Thank you for the front page color picture from the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration at The Theatre at Washington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 18. The program was well attended and received many congratulatory comments.

However, I was very disappointed that there was no story that would have provided highlights of the program. I would like to take this time to provide the following:

The program was co-sponsored by The Theatre at Washington, Va. and the Julia E. Boddie Scholarship Committee. Mrs. Boddie, a long time resident of Washington, Va. and an educator in the Rappahannock Public Schools for many years, was the M.C. for the afternoon. In her opening remarks Mrs. Boddie stated, “We are here to praise God in the name of Martin Luther King.”

The program began with the processional of three gospel choirs from three local churches: the Clarence E. Bearing Memoiral Gospel Choir; First Baptist Church, Washington, Va.; the Macedonia Gospel Chorus, Macedonia Batpist Church, Flint Hill; and the Beulah Baptist Church Choir, Eggbomsville. The choirs sang “This Little Light of Mine.” Each choir sang two additional selections during the celebration.

The audience was inspired by students from the Rappahannock Elementary and Rappahannock High School who shared their dreams for the future. They were Veronica Myers, 9th grade; Gerri Mallory, 9th grade; Anwar Mallory, 7th grade; John Mallory, 11th grade; Kelly Lawler, 9th grade; and Landon Porter, 3rd grade. Porter stated that his dream was'to be a psychiatrist and the owner of a five-star restaurant. He then remarked that his mother had told him that she could easily see him talking on the phone with a patient while whipping up a souffle.

Another highlight of the program was the personal recollections of E. Franklin Warner, a native Rappahannock retired federal government employee and civil rights activist. Mr. Warner participated in the March on Washington and was well able to provide poignant descriptions of behind-the-scenes preparation. Mr. Warner’s introduction provided a preview to his reading of * King’s famous “I Have a Dream” dpeqch. . Although this writer participated in the program in several capacities, the musical solo “From a Distance” especially seemed to be a crowd pleaser. -X

Overall the program was well received by all in attendance. £

Lastly, special thanks are extended to Wendy Weinberg for her support and effort in providing a location for the celebration.

The program was coordinated by Dorothy Butler, who was well pleased with the tremendous support of the community, and was also happy when the benediction was given.

For those of you who missed this year’s celebration, you missed history in the making.

Oh well Mrs. Butler, next year awaits.

M. NANETTE BUTLER

Washington, D.C.

(formerly of Sperryville)