Winter 2012 Issue 4“A story worth knowing…A legacy worth remembering”

The Restoration of a House and Many Hear ts“Best Friends are the siblings God forgot to give us.” One of the most inspiring tasks undertaken in the Plateau community has been the restora�on of a house located at 805 Edward Street. The house is owned by Carolyn Edwards who is confined to a wheel chair. The house was accidently set on fire by one of her grandchildren three years ago. Unable to rally family members and having exhausted all measures to get assistance from local known agencies, she did not know how she would get back to her beloved home and community. Her heart felt at its lowest point, seeing no way to achieve her goal.

It is said, “To everything there is a season, and a �me to every purpose under the heaven”. Providence began to unfold with a telephone call. Unknowingly to Angela Roberts’ her friend, Carol, had been looking for her, and had shared it with a church member to give her the message. Angela Roberts and Carolyn Edwards began their lifelong friendship at Bishop State and bonded through Alabama State. Charles Hope spoke with Angela Roberts and recognized they both wanted to get Carolyn back to her home place. Charles then spoke to Angela Jones, who had visited Carolyn and wanted to get her back into the community and her house. Carolyn had moved to a high rise living on the 8th floor with a slow elevator as the only way she could get in and out. Angela Jones men�oned it to Cleon, her husband, who also wanted to get Carolyn back into her house. Once they all came together for a mee�ng, they knew God was speaking to their hearts, and His hand was guiding them, Cleon stated “Let’s make it happen.”

They started this journey on “Faith” that God would make a way. They did not have a penny for the project and no wri�en plan. They just knew God would not let them down. Work began immediately. They started clearing out of the burned debris so that a scope of the work could be assessed for needed repairs and materials. The following persons volunteer on this labor of love from day one and have been steadfast and dedicated, Willard Jones, Cur�s McGhee, Steve Clark, Charles Hope and Cleon Jones. Others have since joined this daily effort. Angela Roberts gave the first monetary dona�on. Once this effort had begun Mr.. William Clark and MCTS Alumni Community Development, Inc. begin to use its posi�on to help leverage this project under its umbrella.

Since the beginning of this project there have been a number of persons that have volunteered their �me, resources and skills. Everything on this project has been up to housing code and done by all volunteers and cer�fied skilled cra�smen. The project is about 85% completed and the house will be be�er than before when Carolyn moves back in. The combined cost of labor and materials is es�mated to exceed $40,000.00 to this point.

The group is working daily with the comple�on in sight. Funding is s�ll needed in that this project is dona�on driven. One contributor came from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, when he heard about the project for Carolyn. He said the Lord had touched his heart and he wanted to help. He and his group raised over $3000.00 dollars and donated food and other needed supplies. If God has touched your heart to help, get in touch with Mr. Bill Clark (251) 751-1741 or Mr. Cleon Jones (251) 452-1052.

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“Talent is God given - Be humbleFame is man given - Be grateful

Conceit is self-given - Be careful”By: John Wooden

House Restora�on........Page 1 A Heart..............Page 5Art Discovery................Page 2 Community........Page 6Music............................Page 3 Scholarship........Page 7Sports...........................Page 4 Hot Stuff............Page 8

Table of Contents

Rediscovering Our TalentBy: James Hope (Class of 1965)

When I re�red 4 years ago a�er working 30 years with AT&T, I knew I needed to become involved in something that would keep me ac�ve. I knew I needed to do something I would enjoy. One of the things I decided to do to stay busy was to become a volunteer in my church and community. The other thing was to take a couple of art classes and try my hand at oil pain�ng.

I am glad I didn’t pursue a career as an ar�st because I would have starved to death. But I am finding a�er re�rement that maybe I do have a li�le ar�s�c ability. I am finding that pain�ng gives me another avenue to express myself, its s�mula�ng and it’s fun.

I never thought my inspira�on for pain�ng would have its origin in Mrs. Susie Ansley’s first grade class at Whitley School, tracing the head of the horse that was on the Ni�y notebook paper we used. Of course, I thought I was pre�y good drawing cowboys and Indians which led later to being asked by teachers to paint Christmas images on their classroom windows and black boards.

I did li�le art work a�er elementary school because I didn’t think myself to be talented, especially, when I was lined up against talents like Gary Tinsley, Rayford Parker, Quincy Stephens and James Nelson. These were the real ar�sts in high school.

From elementary school un�l taking the art classes a few years ago, I had not done any drawing or pain�ng. I was mo�vated to try my hand again out of frustra�on of not being able to find suitable art work at an affordable price. I would see art work for sale and say to myself, “I can do that. “ So now, a�er 4 years, most of the 25 or so oil pain�ngs that I have done are now hanging in my home.

Many of us who grew up in Plateau and surrounding area, with nothing more than the bare necessi�es of life, developed talents and skills that to this day didn’t know we had. That was my case. When we think of all the things we did to entertain ourselves, especially the boys, like: making pop guns, sling shots, bows and arrows, kites, skate boards and rolling packers, just to name a few. And many of the girls did the same things as the boys and more. There were so many things we thought of with our own brains and made with our own hands and the word “boredom” didn’t exist.

Resourcefulness and the crea�vity reside within each of us, we need to re-discover what our talents are and grow them. No, it’s not too late, age is just a number.

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The Music Depar tment of Mobile County Training School from 1951-1955By: John Lilly Jr.

The following informa�on provides a summary of accomplishments made to society through the MCTS students as seen through the eyes of John D. Lilly Jr.

The music department instructors were Mr. John Irons – Band Director; Mr. J. Dawson Whi�ield – Choir Director, Trainer of the Drum Major and Majore�es and Music Theory Teacher for those planning to pursue college degrees in music; and Mrs. Doris Chatman – Assistant Choir Director. Mrs. Chatman was very influen�al encouraging students to pursue music careers. She shared her experiences with various music icons including “Lester Young” a Tenor Sax Recording Ar�st.

Mr. Irons was very easy to talk to and most band members saw him as a “Father Figure.” If they had problems he was willing to assist and help them seek solu�ons.

Mr. Irons and Mr. Whi�ield worked together to prepare rou�nes for the band, drum major and majore�es. Mr. Whi�ield would teach the dance steps to the drum major and majore�es. Mr. Irons diagramed and developed forma�ons for the band. Each sec�on followed the diagram to form le�ers and other symbols to be used on the football field for half �me shows. The final rehearsal would be a combina�on of the combined groups in order to complete the half �me performance for each football game.

Mr. Irons, Mr. Whi�ield and Mrs. Chatman worked as a team to present seasonal concerts with the choir and band.

The musical training received in high school influenced some students to pursue musical careers.

Some of the Professional Careers are: 1. Mr. Reginald Gordon sung with the “Moon Glows.” 2. Mr. Marshall York was a bass player in the “BB King Orchestra.” 3. Mr. John Starks was a drummer with “James Brown’s Band.” 4. Ms Fannie Dees sung with “Jimmie Smith’s Orchestra.” 5. Mr. Leon Campbell was a vocal recording ar�st. His stage name was “Gene Lynn.” He was commonly known as the “Frank Sinatra of St. Louis.”

Some of the Educa�onal Careers are: 1. Mr. Bobby Sharp, a trumpet player, was a middle school and a high school band director. 2. Mr. Maynard Por�s, a clarinet player, was a high school band director. 3. Mr. James Morrison, a trumpet player, was a high school band director. 4. Mr. John D. Lilly Jr., a tenor sax player, was a middle school and high school band director. 5. Mrs. Eugenia Burroughs Rankins, a soprano, was a high school choir director. In 1960 she became the choir director at MCTS. 6. Mr. Maurice Seltzer, an alto sax player, was a high school band director.

Some sang in Choirs and with Ensembles: 1. Mrs. Eugenia Burroughs Rankins, a soprano, sang with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Casher Philharmonic Choir. 2. Mrs. Alma Boykins Booker, A Soprano, sang with Wayne State College Choir. 3. Mr. William Suggs, a Tenor; Mr. Joseph Hall, a Baritone; Mrs. Carolyn Harris Jones, an Alto; all sung with the Casher Philharmonic Choir. 4. Mrs. Eugenia B. Rankins and Mr. William Suggs appeared on the “Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour Show” on TV singing with the Casher Philharmonic Choir. 5. Mrs. Carolyn Harris Jones and Mrs. Eugenia Burroughs Rankins direct and play for various choirs throughout the city.

Music as a Recrea�onal Ac�vity – Locally and in many states: 1. Dr. Harry Gibson, a saxophone player; Mr. Albert Harris, a clarinet player and pianist; Mr. Bobby Sharp, a trumpet player; Mr. John Lilly Jr., a tenor sax player all played in various dance bands locally and in surrounding areas. Mrs. Fannie Dees, Mr. Joseph Hall, Mr. William Suggs and Mr. Charles Penn sang with various dance bands throughout the city.

While serving in the US Army, Mr. John Lilly Jr. was a member of the 4th Infantry Division Marching Band, Concert Band and Dance Orchestra. He was the assistant Librarian for the band.

Music has been and con�nues to be beneficial to many graduates of MCTS who have supported their families using their musical background as a founda�on to move to greater heights.

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MCTS 1968 Undefeated Championship Star ting Pitcher By Edward J. Allen (Moon)

As a member of the 1968 MCTS baseball team, I remember having great an�cipa�on of winning it all that year. Of course, all of the players felt that way. You see, our trophy cases were not exactly empty. MCTS had a rich winning history, and we simply wanted to punctuate our senior year with the one word rarely inscribed on MCTS baseball trophies, (UNDEFEATED). This unspoken confidence was triggered by most of the players being part of an undefeated MCTS football team the year before.

As I recall, our coaches were not on board with the players with the undefeated idea. They were more about values, principles, discipline, respect and academics. Well, so were we, and being UNDEFEATED. Before the season began, we were in excellent physical condi�on and had ran every baseball drill hundreds of �mes. Pitchers ran hundreds of sprints and infielders fielded hundreds of ground balls and worked on double play footwork un�l it was second nature to them. Out fielders worked on drills un�l dark most days. While we were using words such as undefeated, our coaches were using words such as DESIRE, PREPARATION and EXECUTION. Because their aim was to have us do those things that we did not want to do –to become the persons they wanted us to be, they saw success through different eyes. They believed that knowledge was only half of the game, but, applica�on makes all the difference. We knew this season would be different because no one complained about anything. Every day was mee�ng with increased excitement and enthusiasm. Even second team players who knew they were second team players, sensed they were part of something great.

By the �me the season started, the players had developed a family bond. This player bond was so strong, first year players had begun to follow the winning a�tude and behavior of the upper classmen. Our bench was stronger than most teams star�ng players. Each game we played seemed to become more and more of a compe��on against ourselves. We just simply out worked most teams. If I recall correctly, we engaged in prayer before each game which further helped to cement that belief in self and team. Of course, all of this STUFF was ini�ated and enforced by what we (the players) considered to be the best baseball coaches in the South at that �me.

The season passed quickly. Time flies when you are winning, and man were we winning! The pitchers all had ERA’s below 0.095, the bats were roaring, the defense was double play packed. We never entertained the slightest thought of losing because there were no losers on the team. The last game played was at Hartwell Field against the Mobile County All Star team. The best players from each team in our conference teamed up to play the conference winners. Yes, we beat them also. We never really thought we would be undefeated, we just knew that no team could beat us. What you say is what you get, and we got exactly what we said, UNDEFEATED.

My Perspective of Playing Baseball at M.C.T.S. on the 1968 Team BY: George Sylvester

Looking back into the gray ma�er of my mind, all of the details aren’t as clear as they once were. Nevertheless, as a junior, I didn’t see very much playing �me. I will never forget star�ng the game at Hillsdale Height, I hit the first two ba�ers, walked the next ba�er and hit the next ba�er before Coach Horton pulled me out of the game. He did not really say that much to me then, but on the way home he said “Sylvester, you’ll be a senior next year and I expect you to step up and be a leader on the team.” And those words stuck with me for the rest of the season.

During the summer before my senior year, I played a lot of sandlot baseball, which was a tremendous help in improving my skills, ability, and most of all my confidence! Entering into the spring of 1968, preparing for baseball season, Coach Chatman also played a big role in boos�ng my ego and confidence. But my greatest ally was Edward “Moon” Allen. He taught me the different ways to grip the baseball and how to command the pitches to go where I wanted them to go. “Moon” was a real student of pitching techniques, as well as an outstanding pitcher at M.C.T.S.

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Still a Blessed LifeBy: Mar tha Andrews Johnson (Class of 1968-69)Once I completed High School at MCTS I went on to complete my studies at Bishop State and then the University of South Alabama. I gained employment at Sears in 1972. I stayed with Sears thru their Management Training Program, 12 management posi�ons, 7 physical transfers to finally re�re at 55 from my Store’s General Manager posi�on in 2006. It was a difficult decision a�er 32 years of con�nuous employment and a six figure salary. However, I felt it was �me to go and enjoy my life.

My husband and I decided to build a summer home in Mobile and commute back and forth to Florida. A�er the house was completed, 2009, we decided to Move back to Alabama permanently. Both of us now re�red can travel and enjoy our re�rement. That lasted un�l September 2010 when I suffered a massive heart a�ack. I had s�nts put in, it did not work. I had open heart surgery with triple bypass and that did not work.

Finally, in December of 2010, I was shipped from Springhill Medical Center to Oschner Hospital in New Orleans for a heart transplant. In the pre-evalua�on tes�ng process they found a cancerous growth in my stomach which took me off the transplant list. I thought my life was over...I was released from the hospital and scheduled for radia�on therapy because my heart was too weak for Chemo for 6 weeks. While on radia�on I had to wear a Permanent IV in my arm which con�nuously pumped medicine to my heart to make it beat enough to keep me alive. I also had to go for biweekly transfusions of diure�cs to keep fluid reten�on low. What a tough situa�on I was in, but I s�ll had LIFE.

A�er 11 months of these processes I was offered a chance to live with a miniature pump, called a le� ventricular assists device, or LVAD, implanted just beneath my heart. The device takes blood from the lower chamber of my heart and pumps it into the aorta, where it is delivered throughout the body. It’s connected via a flexible wire that emerges from my abdomen and hooks to a controller and ba�ery packs I carry in a holster. This is the same model former Vice President Dick Cheney shows off.

With this device I have been offered a fresh hope for people with heart failure. Were it just 10 years back I would have had no hope whatsoever. This device, I call the “Bionic Heart”, is keeping me alive and able to live, enjoy, travel and be happy. Therefore, you see, I truly am living a Blessed Life”.

The 1968 baseball team was composed of juniors’ and seniors’, who all were shining stars that season. A.C.Mosley and Collis James were our long ball hi�ers, who produced the home runs. Joe Neal Womack the hard line drive hi�er that produced a lot of extra base hits; Joe led a host of ba�ers that could hit as well. Our star�ng pitching staff was composed of “Moon” and me.

Opening season, “Moon” pitched the first game. The next game Coach Horton came to me and said it’s your ball. My confidence was there but I was very nervous, I don’t remember the team that we were playing, but I do know that we won the game. I had three coaches that day, Coach Horton, Chatman and “Moon”. “Moon” was char�ng ba�ers back then and he would let me know between innings what the next three ba�ers did in their last at-bat. As I said before, “Moon” was a student of pitching and a tutor for me. A�er winning

the first game my confidence was on another level. The rest of the season Coach Horton alternated “Moon” and me in star�ng games. We both ended the season with undefeated records. We both had outstanding earned run averages (era’s) below 1.00 for “MOON” and just over 1.00 for me. “Moon” was the winning pitcher in the all-star’s game. That year more than half of the all-star’s star�ng first team was from M.C.T.S.

We truly had a great team in 1968. We could hit, run, throw, play defense and out pitch our opponents. We had a perfect season with an undefeated record, also, the first team to defeat the all-stars team at the end of the season. There was a great deal of pride and talent on this team. Coach Horton and Chatman did an outstanding job in molding us into greatness, never le�ng up on any opponent no ma�er what the score was, because winning was our ul�mate goal. The achievements of this team opened a number of doors for players to receive scholarships to play college baseball and to receive an educa�on.

My Perspective (cont’d)

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Chess! What is it? It is a game that involves logic, trust, ins�nct, strategy and strength. Why such a descrip�on? Primarily, these a�ributes are required if a player expects to be very successful at playing the game. Moreover, these skills are paramount if embraced, developed and leveraged as tools to deal with the game of life.

It is life? Yes Life!!! Chess was invented as a way to resolve physical confronta�ons between rivals. Thus elimina�ng the desire of enemies to ini�ate physical combat that could led to disability or death. Chess is a game of rules, as is life in a community. The chess board is the community and each chess piece is governed by the power and responsibility given to it in that community. Each chess piece must follow the rules and use one or all of the above a�ributes to be on the winning side. Each member on the chess board carries a mathema�cal value that adds to its importance of achieving the winning outcome. That mathema�cal value helps the players make decisions on the pieces they are willing to lose to achieve the greater goal. Life has the same types of decisions that have to be made. We have to give up something to get our desired goal. We may have to give up �me, fun, friends or other tangible immediate pleasures for the more important goal.

In playing the game of chess your ins�ncts must stay sharp, because you can be a�ack in many ways, the same as in life. The chess player with a landscape view of the board rather than a picture view tends to be be�er prepared to capture the opportuni�es to win. That principle is very similar in life. The purpose of chess is to capture your opponent’s King to win the game. The king is the most important piece in the chess community, and must be protected. The queen is the most powerful and the pawn is the least powerful unless it navigates itself into becoming a queen. Just like our communi�es have their most important ins�tu�ons, family, church, schools, and those ins�tu�ons must be protected. And they are protected by each member doing his/her best with their talents. And, every member that thinks it’s a pawn can become a powerful queen and make a be�er difference. Life is just like chess because when we fail to perform our role at our best, we lose the game.

Learn to play the game of chess well, so it can help you navigate the game of life well!!!

Chess...A Roadmap To Navigate LifeBy: Rev. Ar thur Barnes(Class of 1970)

Africa-Town Par tnershipCity of Mobile- MCTS Alumni and other Community groups

During the summer of 2011 members of the MCTS Alumni met with Mayor Sam Jones and his Community Development Director, Alex Ikafuna. We were informed that they had been observing the work we were doing in the Plateau community

and were pleased with what they were observing. They also stated that we had demonstrated the type of concern and work ethics that was needed to improve the community.

Mayor Jones indicated that he had been looking for a group to lead the development in the Africa Town Community. He offered us the opportunity to lead the coali�on of community groups that would engage in various community development projects.

A�er a number of mee�ngs, a memorandum of understanding was developed between the City of Mobile and the MCTS Alumni. We are now in posi�on to apply for funding for various community development projects which will be award in May 2012. Our next communica�on will outline the projects we will be seeking funding for this fiscal year.

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MCTS ScholarshipThe MCTS Alumni would like to reward those students of the MCTS Alumni Family that have excelled in their educa�onal career. Deadline for this year’s scholarship submission is April 9, 2012.

Mobile County Training School Scholarship Criteria:* African American youth with a 2.5 or higher GPA* A descendant by birth or marriage of a MCTS High School person (example: student, faculty, or staff)* Write an essay highligh�ng the following points:

1. Rela�onship with the MCTS descendant(s)2. A historical event about MCTS and its family3. How they can and will give back to this effort

Visit!!!www.mctswhippets.org

From the Dog PatchBy: Ronnie Perine (Class of 1967)

To all alumni, families, friends and neighbors of Mobile County Training School and the Africa Town community there is great news in our town. In conjunc�on with Mayor Sam Jones Community Garden project: “Taking Healthy Steps” and a 21st Century Educa�onal grant, MCTS students in the a�er school program have successfully planted our very own Community Garden. This pioneering event is a key component of an a�er school program which also focus on academic achievement, culinary arts, physical ac�vi�es, and barbering.

Our garden is located is directly across the street from MCTS on a plot of land donated by the Penn Family. This new project provides an opportunity for par�cipa�ng students with hands on experience in total garden care. Recently, we planted our fall crop which included collards, turnips, broccoli, le�uce and other cool weather vegetables. It has truly been a labor of love for all par�cipants. In a few weeks we will reap our first harvest.

Our vision is to build and plant addi�onal gardens throughout the Africa Town community. We will turn once blighted areas into produc�ve land. This ini�a�ve will need the effort and support of the en�re Africa Town community.

We would like to thank the following companies and people who have been instrumental in ge�ng this program started: Ms. Jataun Lewis, asst. principal & site coordinator, Kimberly Clark- Home Depot Founda�on-Montlimar division, Weed and Seed, and Bryant Agricultural Center: Ms. Brenda Mitchell-Execu�ve Director Mayor’s office of Strategic Ini�a�ves, Mr. Bill Finch, Agricultural Consultant- Shore Acres Nursery, MCTS Alumni- Mr. Omar Smith & Mr. Charles Hope, Ms. Barbara Wolfe-liaison person, Mr. Bryan Thomas-Urban Development Coordinator. We are grateful for your support in the past and hope for your con�nue support.

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Do you Remember the businesses in Plateau/Magazine Point back in the day?Corner Stores:Turner Grocery; Williams Grocery; Racke� s; Rev. Hope; Gene Lewis; Katherine Hope; Peter Jones; Pernell; Randolph; Simmons Brother; Sam Adams; Richard Marshall; Mary Jackson; Hubbards; Clarence Allen; Tiller Giles, Max Cole Grocery; Ha� e White.

Gas Sta� ons: Sampson’s Amoco; Conoco; Bryant Service: Cleaners: Sim Wood; John Nell; Celes� ne Levy, Bubba Red; Washer mats?: Beer Joints and Clubs: Monks Place, Mary Tavern; James Hawthorne; Big House, Elks, Plateau Inn, KP Club; Dubois Inn: Sugar ShackBarber and Hair dressers Shops: Snucks; Hicks; Ledale; Eddie Rigsby; Frank Jones; Leon Tean, Ha� e Days: Celes� ne LevyFood Places: Craig Drive Inn; Adell; Mamie Harris; Louise: Ms. Iren, GoodloweMovie Houses: Adams; Boomer Hall: Lodges and Motels: Williams Motel; Big House; Norman and Mamie Harris: Post Offi ce: Mr. Days (Postmaster):

From the President: Anna Marie Bettis StratmanWe have accomplished a number of exci� ng things this year with the alumni associa� on. Some of those items are outlined in this newsle� er. There are others on the MCTS website www.mctswhippets.org. However, just think how much more could be achieved if all our alumni would share in this rebuilding process.

Each of us have skills that, when collec� vely united, can create a tangible vision that documents the past, work to appreciate the present, and an� cipate and plan for the future. You can do one or all of the following:

Provide your exper� se to help rebuild, educate, train and create a healthy Africa TownEncourage your children and grandchildren to share their skills to con� nue the legacyPlan to par� cipate and a� end some of the alumni planned events. Give to the scholarship fundsOrganize your class or get with another class and work to help.Pay your annual or life membership dues and purchase a brick with your name to be placed on the campus.

Go to the MCTS website for more informa� on.

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Community Baseball Players...From Back In The Day

Monk Armistead Pop Joiner Willie Holliman Joe Agee Bill Kidd Clyde GreyL.P. Knight Cleve Taylor Rudy Jackson John Bacot Jerome Sims Eddie Bracke� Leslie Walker Skippy Robinson Larry Kim Cli� on Grey John Walker Horace CrenshawDoc Hill Jimmy Hope Bobby Knight Big Daddy Knight Bubba Coleman Alponse EdwardReBenny Crenshaw Tank Brown Gent Edward Tony Hope June Bud Marshall Dock KiddBo Bo Snell Wash Cade Cup White Pete Knight Evander Penn Yogi Benne� Gary Tinsley Levon Perry Tommie Lee Jones Bubba Jr. River Li� le Bro Ranseford Li� le Robert SellerSonny Creighton Robert Harris Leo Morrise� e Cleve Brown Paul Green Bill DillardO’Neal Smith Cleon Jones Adolph Williams Lore� a Green Hammie Benne� Ray RigbyNorman Hill Lonzie Stephens John Flen .... Who is Missing ?????