Historical March 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The ice and sleet storm on Jan. 16 forced postponement of the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration.
However, the delay to Feb. 6 did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of participants and attendees alike.
The event is sponsored by the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council, Grace and Peace Fellowship, New Cote Brilliante Church of God, and New City School.
The tone for the program was set by the spirited singing of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” performed by the New Cote Brilliante Choir under the direction of Mrs. Mikki Merritt. Children from New City School again this year sang the freedom songs associated with the civil rights movement.
It was so good to hear “This Little Light of Mine” and the refrain “If you miss me from the back of the bus, come up front, I’ll be sitting right there” and then “If you’re all for freedom, clap your hands.” These were the songs sung on the marches and at the rallies and it quickly took me back in time at least 3 decades. Students from St. Roch School presented poems that fit the mood of the day.
The virulent flu prevented the appearance of students from Hamilton and Crossroads.
The program also benefitted from a reading by Karen Benoit and solos by McKinley Johnson. Johnson gave a beautiful rendition of Dr. King’s favorite hymn, “Precious Lord.” Benoit read King’s own words. Gregory Freeman, our neighbor on 57xx DeGiverville and columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, spoke movingly of the violence in today’s society and how to address it His remarks are published in this issue.
The emcee for the program was Commemoration Chairperson Jack Wright. Rev. Egon Middelmann of Grace and Peace gave the welcome and the event concluded with closing remarks by Rev. Mikki Merritt, the pastor at New Cote Brilliante Church of God. Participants and guests then attended a reception put on by Grace and Peace.
The sunny skies and warmer temperatures on Feb. 6 provided a lovely backdrop to the warmth and fellowship of the commemoration.
Original photograph caption
A diverse crowd celebrated together the life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the February6 commemoration. Photo by Roy Roncal.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1994_03.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 3; PDF page(s) 1, 3.
