Tillery, NC – The Open Minded Seniors (OMS) held a very special Black History program during its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the Tillery Community Center. The program was in honor of Black History Month.
The day began with many of the OMS and visitors arriving dressed in Afrocentric attire. President Roy Jones called the meeting to readiness and turned the podium over to Claude Ford who would serve as Master of Ceremonies for the day for the activities.
After Ford extended a very warm welcome to all, the group sang all three verses of “Lift Every Voice And Sing.” This was followed by Cynthia Lynch reading the Morning Scripture from Matthew 5:11-12. Bettie Powell then offered the Morning Prayer and Blessing for the day’s meal, which was followed by the group signing “Jesus On The Main Line.” All songs at this point were sung a capalla.
There were Thoughts for the Day from Cary white, Jr. reading based on 1st Timothy 4:14; “The Skin I Am In” read by Katherine Wade; and “Lord Why Did You Make Me Black?” read by Rubella Rook.
Gary R. Grant read the life interview of Henry Andrew (Tip) Williams who was a salve in the Tillery area and lived in the Piney Woods area.
At this point, the program was paused for lunch. The OMS prepared a covered dish lunch of traditional southern foods: fired and baked chicken, collards, cabbage, string beans, potato salad; such delicacies as pig feet, pig tails, neckbones, and yes chitterlings; there also was corn bread, rolls, tossed salad, pasta salad, cakes and pies. One member shouted “Hey, come on! We got everything but the hog head for lunch today!” Truly it was a spread that is not seen as often as it use to be because people are more health conscious and focusing on more healthy meals.
As the program started again, keyboardist Charlie Hill, Jr. had joined us and provided soul music during the Lunch/Fellowship Hour. The first item was the reading of the “Pledge to the Black Flag,” followed by the singing of the first verse of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice And Sing.”
The OMS Chorus, under the direction of Mollie Demery Hill, and Charlie Hill, Jr. on the keyboard, got the spirit moving with the sining of a melody of songs: “Hush, Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name;” “Victory Is Mine;” and others.
Ninety two year old Theresa Harvey read the poem “Monument In Black.” An interpretive praise dance was done by Geraldine Hudson to the song of “Hold On A Change Is Coming.” Hilda Walden sang “Precious Lord” and became so emotional filled that she followed it with “I Am Redeemed.” Doris Taylor Davis read the poem, “Just Because He’s Black.”
As if all that had foregone, now we had the Demery Family that would speak. Yep, four of the children of Mary Demery and the late Harry Demery were the speakers for the day. Mollie Demery Hill introduced the group and told her story of success in coming from the Demery farm family. After telling her story of how discipline made all of them successful and sharing her story of “Going to Get the Switch” she told of her success. She is now a certified teacher and Affordable Health Care Consultant. She was followed by Harry Demery, Jr. who said that the tobacco field let him know he did not want to do that for the rest of his life. He is now the director of the Bio Medical Department at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount. Cederic Demery told his story of how he grew up in the country. He is now the first Black hired for “inside sales” at a building supply company and has moved up the ladder to doing Commercial Sales. Now it’s time for Ricky Demery who told the story of graduating from high school and seeing the other guys with “a trailer house” and a car and being told by his parents that he either goes off to college or goes to work. He figured he would get that job and be like the other boys, “a singlewide trailer and a car.” So that is what he did for three nights on a job that had him moving 500 lb bales of cotton material. He soon was in college and today he is a senior scientist in the Industrial Technology Pharmaceutical field in Greenville, NC.
The Demery children say they decided to tell their stories of growing up, and their life success so that Black History can be made more relevant than just talking about the usual people, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington and others. Well, they certainly captured the attention of the OMS and guest who were present. The majority of them are “Parents Raising Children of Yesterday with the Whole Village being a part of that Guardianship.” They contrasted such a “healthy” upbringing compared to what is happening in most homes and to most children today.
Following their presentation, they were joined by Charliza Hill, daughter of Mollie and Charlie Hill, Jr. to entertain the group with “Because Of You,” “Something Inside Of Me,” and “Take Me To The King.” While all songs were enjoyed, the last one evoked such great emotion from the group that many of them were standing, raising hands and tears flowing down their cheeks. It certainly was an emotional and poignant time.
The program concluded with comments from Katie Baker, OMS Program Chairperson who also passed out “Happy Valentine Candy” with program committee person Perline Baggett to all present, and who thanked everyone for their participation.
CCT/OMS director Gary R. Grant followed her with remarks on what a fantastic day we all had had experienced. He called for applause for Claude Ford, Master of Ceremonies; the Demery & Hill Families; for the Culinary Volunteer Staff who set up all the covered dishes brought in and wore special aprons of Afrocentric flair created and made by Doris Taylor Davis; and all participants in the day’s program.
He then called for reports from those who attended the “Crying From the Streets” dramatic presentation at the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance, Weldon. While many of the OMS attended, Claude Ford, Maezolla Wilkins and James Parker all gave glowing reports.
Grant then reminded all that an attorney from Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) will be with the group next week to continue servicing those who have legal issues and will return again on April 19. Anyone wishing to see the attorney about land issues, wills, and some commercial problems, should call the CCT office at 252-826-3017 to make an appointment.
The group was reminded that CCT/OMS has reserved tickets for “The Lion King” at the DEPAC Theatre on March 16. There may still be some tickets available. To check, please call the CCT office at 252-826-3017.
Grant reminded the group that although this was a special program, CCT and OMS celebrate Black History year round. Doris Taylor Davis stated it best as a sort of motto on the program, “We (CCT/OMS) make history 365 days of the year, and in 2016 it will be 366 days this leap year!”
Everything now done for the day, the OMS sang “So Glad I’m Here” as the closing song; followed by the Prayer of Benediction by Glenn Brown; and all shouting the OMS Motto – “Have a good week, love everybody, and behave yourselves.”
The Open Minded Seniors meet each Tuesday at the Tillery Community Center beginning at 11:30am. Special program days are 2nd Tuesdays for BINGO, and the last Tuesday of the month when monthly birthdays are celebrated. OMS meetings are open to all who support their goals and objectives.
The day began with many of the OMS and visitors arriving dressed in Afrocentric attire. President Roy Jones called the meeting to readiness and turned the podium over to Claude Ford who would serve as Master of Ceremonies for the day for the activities.
After Ford extended a very warm welcome to all, the group sang all three verses of “Lift Every Voice And Sing.” This was followed by Cynthia Lynch reading the Morning Scripture from Matthew 5:11-12. Bettie Powell then offered the Morning Prayer and Blessing for the day’s meal, which was followed by the group signing “Jesus On The Main Line.” All songs at this point were sung a capalla.
There were Thoughts for the Day from Cary white, Jr. reading based on 1st Timothy 4:14; “The Skin I Am In” read by Katherine Wade; and “Lord Why Did You Make Me Black?” read by Rubella Rook.
Gary R. Grant read the life interview of Henry Andrew (Tip) Williams who was a salve in the Tillery area and lived in the Piney Woods area.
At this point, the program was paused for lunch. The OMS prepared a covered dish lunch of traditional southern foods: fired and baked chicken, collards, cabbage, string beans, potato salad; such delicacies as pig feet, pig tails, neckbones, and yes chitterlings; there also was corn bread, rolls, tossed salad, pasta salad, cakes and pies. One member shouted “Hey, come on! We got everything but the hog head for lunch today!” Truly it was a spread that is not seen as often as it use to be because people are more health conscious and focusing on more healthy meals.
As the program started again, keyboardist Charlie Hill, Jr. had joined us and provided soul music during the Lunch/Fellowship Hour. The first item was the reading of the “Pledge to the Black Flag,” followed by the singing of the first verse of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice And Sing.”
The OMS Chorus, under the direction of Mollie Demery Hill, and Charlie Hill, Jr. on the keyboard, got the spirit moving with the sining of a melody of songs: “Hush, Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name;” “Victory Is Mine;” and others.
Ninety two year old Theresa Harvey read the poem “Monument In Black.” An interpretive praise dance was done by Geraldine Hudson to the song of “Hold On A Change Is Coming.” Hilda Walden sang “Precious Lord” and became so emotional filled that she followed it with “I Am Redeemed.” Doris Taylor Davis read the poem, “Just Because He’s Black.”
As if all that had foregone, now we had the Demery Family that would speak. Yep, four of the children of Mary Demery and the late Harry Demery were the speakers for the day. Mollie Demery Hill introduced the group and told her story of success in coming from the Demery farm family. After telling her story of how discipline made all of them successful and sharing her story of “Going to Get the Switch” she told of her success. She is now a certified teacher and Affordable Health Care Consultant. She was followed by Harry Demery, Jr. who said that the tobacco field let him know he did not want to do that for the rest of his life. He is now the director of the Bio Medical Department at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount. Cederic Demery told his story of how he grew up in the country. He is now the first Black hired for “inside sales” at a building supply company and has moved up the ladder to doing Commercial Sales. Now it’s time for Ricky Demery who told the story of graduating from high school and seeing the other guys with “a trailer house” and a car and being told by his parents that he either goes off to college or goes to work. He figured he would get that job and be like the other boys, “a singlewide trailer and a car.” So that is what he did for three nights on a job that had him moving 500 lb bales of cotton material. He soon was in college and today he is a senior scientist in the Industrial Technology Pharmaceutical field in Greenville, NC.
The Demery children say they decided to tell their stories of growing up, and their life success so that Black History can be made more relevant than just talking about the usual people, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington and others. Well, they certainly captured the attention of the OMS and guest who were present. The majority of them are “Parents Raising Children of Yesterday with the Whole Village being a part of that Guardianship.” They contrasted such a “healthy” upbringing compared to what is happening in most homes and to most children today.
Following their presentation, they were joined by Charliza Hill, daughter of Mollie and Charlie Hill, Jr. to entertain the group with “Because Of You,” “Something Inside Of Me,” and “Take Me To The King.” While all songs were enjoyed, the last one evoked such great emotion from the group that many of them were standing, raising hands and tears flowing down their cheeks. It certainly was an emotional and poignant time.
The program concluded with comments from Katie Baker, OMS Program Chairperson who also passed out “Happy Valentine Candy” with program committee person Perline Baggett to all present, and who thanked everyone for their participation.
CCT/OMS director Gary R. Grant followed her with remarks on what a fantastic day we all had had experienced. He called for applause for Claude Ford, Master of Ceremonies; the Demery & Hill Families; for the Culinary Volunteer Staff who set up all the covered dishes brought in and wore special aprons of Afrocentric flair created and made by Doris Taylor Davis; and all participants in the day’s program.
He then called for reports from those who attended the “Crying From the Streets” dramatic presentation at the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance, Weldon. While many of the OMS attended, Claude Ford, Maezolla Wilkins and James Parker all gave glowing reports.
Grant then reminded all that an attorney from Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) will be with the group next week to continue servicing those who have legal issues and will return again on April 19. Anyone wishing to see the attorney about land issues, wills, and some commercial problems, should call the CCT office at 252-826-3017 to make an appointment.
The group was reminded that CCT/OMS has reserved tickets for “The Lion King” at the DEPAC Theatre on March 16. There may still be some tickets available. To check, please call the CCT office at 252-826-3017.
Grant reminded the group that although this was a special program, CCT and OMS celebrate Black History year round. Doris Taylor Davis stated it best as a sort of motto on the program, “We (CCT/OMS) make history 365 days of the year, and in 2016 it will be 366 days this leap year!”
Everything now done for the day, the OMS sang “So Glad I’m Here” as the closing song; followed by the Prayer of Benediction by Glenn Brown; and all shouting the OMS Motto – “Have a good week, love everybody, and behave yourselves.”
The Open Minded Seniors meet each Tuesday at the Tillery Community Center beginning at 11:30am. Special program days are 2nd Tuesdays for BINGO, and the last Tuesday of the month when monthly birthdays are celebrated. OMS meetings are open to all who support their goals and objectives.
Member of the Open Minded Seniors (OMS) and guest pose following the Black History Program Salute on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 during the regular meeting of the OMS at the Tillery Community Center. Guest speakers were the “Demery Children.” They shared a wonderful story of growth and success.
The Open Minded Seniors (OMS) Volunteer Culinary members pose and smile prior to serving the OMS members and guest on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 during the special Black History Program. The group pose in their newly made Afrocentric aprons designed and made by Doris Taylor Davis. Others are Bettie White, Dorothy DeBrow, Perline Baggott and Melvin Whitaker.
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