Last
night, I photographed the Marion County
“Community Celebration/Military Appreciation” Banquet. It was such an
honor to be asked. There are so many in my community that should be honored for
what they do, too. At the banquet, awards were given out to those that went
above and beyond the normal giving that many do here. Like I said it was an
honor to be asked to photograph the event…although I was there working, I
enjoyed every minute of it. I met many interesting people.
The hostess, a stunning woman, named Yvonne
Harvey-Williams spoke straight from her heart. She is a powerful speaker. She
lives not far from where I do…she is a transplant from Jersey. She actually
went to the school seen in the movie “Lean On Me”. I thought that was cool,
since that is one of my fave movies! She has accomplished many great feats…such
as publishing four books and recently was named most valuable speaker for
Monster.com. Her motto is… “It’s not about your start; it’s all about your
finish…so finish BIG”. I so wish my daughter could have met her. I can tell she
is a great role model for the youth of today!
I
also met Roosevelt Jackson. He was born back in 1917…he is one of the oldest living Negro League
Baseball players/managers/scouts in the United States. Last year, the US
Postmaster General honored him during an unveiling of a postage stamp
commemorating the Negro League. He played for teams that are long forgotten
today. He was so sharply dressed for the formal event, that even at the age of
94, he was handsome. Before the ceremony, I actually talked to him and asked to
take his photograph, although I had no clue who he was. I thought he was just a
sharp dressed man…he was super sweet and genuine. I did manage to have someone
take my photo with him…I know kinda unprofessional, but it was a once in a
lifetime opportunity. =)
Baseball, has a
history in Buena Vista, Georgia…Josh Gibson was born here in 1911, but later
moved to Pittsburgh with his family. Many knew him as “the Black Babe Ruth”. He
died in 1947, only a short time before Jackie Robinson crossed that color
barrier in the Major Leagues. Mr. Gibson was inducted to the Baseball Hall of
Fame, 38 yrs ago in 1972. His great-grandson was at the ceremony. Mr. Sean
Gibson is the executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. He is a phenomenal gentleman and speaker.
One of our local
TV anchormen was in attendance. I thought this was way cool, since we watch him
every morning. Chuck Leonard appears on WTVM news. When my daughter found out
he would be attending she wrote him a note asking him for his autograph…then
demanded that I give it to him. I did and he was a sweetheart and wrote her one
back. His speech was amazing!
Ms. Carla Hawkins,
former Miss Black Georgia sang at the event. OH MY GOSH, talk about a beautiful
voice…she can belt out a song like no other. Besides being a great singer and a
being supremely gorgeous, she is a sweetie.
It was an honor to
meet all these people, along with everyone from my community.
I had an awesome
time…which makes my job all the better!
