Season's Greetings The AAMHC@LM
Sharing Our Blessings at Christmas Time
A Season For Giving
We are grateful to our sponsors, donors, and friends that have traveled with us through this difficult year. When we closed our doors in March, due to the pandemic, we did so hoping that our dreams for the museum would not be shattered.
You did not forget us! You read our grant proposals, you fulfilled your pledges, and kept us going. With such trustful and strong support, you motivated us to continue the journey.
Planning Board Member Receives Citizen of the Year Award
Mary Ann is fully committed to whatever task is given. And, she is known for her creative flavors of homemade ice cream!
A Partnership With The Gaston Arts Council
Online visiting authors will be Kelly Starlings Lyons and Tonya Bolden.
Friendship Christian Church
Friendship Christian Church is located at 221 West Bradley Avenue, Gastonia, NC.
Leadership: Bishop John A. McCullough, II
Elder Dekota Grier McCullough.
Councilwoman Donyel Barber, First African American elected to The Gastonia City Council
Speakers included: First Lady Tangela Hinton, First Lady Dekota McCullough, Mrs. Sherri Ciurlik (Clover School Board), Retired Army Lt. Colonel Linda Brown Daniels-Dixon, Mrs. Karen Bringle, Mrs. Jaye Floyd, and Dr. Jacqueline Folks.
Councilman Charles Odom Painting With Children Illustrators
The program was in recognition of The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Exhibit sponsored by The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature Exhibition. This traveling exhibit arrived at the museum on February 6 and would remain until May 8.
Dot Guthrie With Anthony Gallant, CEO of Gallant State Farm Insurance With a Literacy Pack
The museum staff compiled the book packs, delivered them to Mr. Gallant who became the distributor. The museum is grateful for the continuous support received from Gallant's leadership in the community.
Celebrating Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday and cannot replace Christmas. Please refer to the link provided in this newsletter.
G. R. A. B. a Book Reading Program
"I read aimlessly, until I learned to read selectively, with a purpose." Malcolm X
Local Author Jennifer Davis Talks About Her Book
The African American Museum of History and Culture at Loray Mill held its first virtual Authors’ Day program on Wed., Nov. 4, the day after the historic election of 2020. (To the credit of all persons present, concern over the pending election results did not interfere with the program presentation.) Jennifer Davis was the guest author who told about the book she wrote, five years after the suicide of her son, Sean. The title of her book was A Faith Greater Than Grief. Ms. Davis is an author who is also an accomplished speaker. She makes you feel as though she is a friend you have known for years. As she told the story of her son, his struggle with depression and the frustration felt by his family trying to help him --all program participants were greatly moved. Jennifer said the Lord called her to write the book, to further process her grief, to raise awareness of community mental health needs, and to memorialize Sean, an exceptional individual who was highly regarded by so many and so beloved by his family.
In concluding her talk about her book, Jennifer made the surprising announcement that she wrote the book but has not read it. She published it in 2014 and has been ready by many---but she so far has not been ready to read it.
Jennifer responded to several questions and comments after her presentation. She initially had spoken of her early love of reading and her efforts to get books as a child, despite, as a person of color, not being admitted to the public library.
A Zoom and Literacy Connection
We want to thank Author Jennifer Davis, Rev. Robert O. Setzer, Mrs. Terronna Ross, Mrs. Mamie Chisholm, and Mrs. Sandra Jeter, for sharing their time and books with Gaston County viewers.
A Literacy Touchdown!
Game Day was published by Simon and Schuster in 2005.
Meet Reesie Gary!
Curator Dot Guthrie Gives Brandon Bellamy, Baseball's Only Black Majority Owner of a Professional Team a Tour of Museum
Let's Play Ball!
The museum was thrilled to have Brandon Bellamy visit in November. To support the team and drum up team spirit, the museum will sponsor a Summer Reading Program using as a theme: "The F. U. S. E." Summer Reading Program. Stay tuned for additional information.
The pandemic did not prevent interest and promotion of the museum. Ron G. Byers, a resident at Loray Mill Lofts, shares news about the museum with co-workers at EATON Corporation in Cleveland County, NC.
North Carolina African American Heritage Commission
As we continue to discover Gaston County's African American Roots, more research is needed by those familiar with the geographic region. Your help with this Oral History is greatly appreciated. https://aahc.nc.gov/
Charlie Pearson, of Pearson Properties, Inc., Shows Several Paintings That He Donated To The Museum. All five of the paintings will be on display in February.
A Walk Through - Identify The Geographic Locations and Landmarks In Gaston County. How Many Did You Get Right?
Rollins School in Mt. Holly, North Carolina
Earlie Cathcart, Army Veteran of World War II
Charles Jesse Bynum Reid, Founder of Reid High School in Belmont
Retired Army Lt. Colonel Linda Brown Daniels-Dixon, a Graduate of Ashbrook High School
The late Beatrice Gardin, Humanitarian of Ranlo, NC
Master Sergeant James William Smith of Bessemer City, NC
Can You Identify The Photos Listed Below? The Answers Will Be Provided In January.
What Is This Landmark? Where Was It Located?
What Is This Landmark? Where Was It Located? Why Was It Important?
Identify This Landmark? How Did And What Did It Transform Into?
December Programs Via Zoom
December 9
The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia McKissack,
Reesie Gary
December 16
Black Panther – Comics
A Look at the life of Chadwick Boseman
Simon Donoghue, Theatre
Belmont Abbey College
December 23
The Little Match Girl
Jerry Pinkney
The All I’ll Ever Want Christmas Doll Patricia McKissack
Torben and Terronna Ross,
Husband and Wife Team
December 30
Seven Days of Kwanzaa by Ella Grier
Kim George, Director Gaston Arts Council
Donations
Please mail to:
The African American Museum of History and Culture - Loray Mill
Post Office Box 721
Gastonia, North Carolina 28053