As I prepare for the big feast on Thursday, I thought it appropriate to share a few observations about this special holiday and its significance in my neighborhood. First, let me start by saying that I’m sitting here looking out my office window (located in my front room), at my brother-in-law and neighbors across the street adding wood and stroking the fires in their grills (smokers) that has ultimately changed the air over this block into one massive aroma’s of smoked turkey, chicken, hot links and venison. For several days preparations have been underway as grills were being cleaned and prepped with stacks of hickory, pecan, peach woods and secret coals with ingredients not shared with others.
The combined mushroom cloud raising upward hints of the joy that families will soon share when they come together around tables filled with theses delicacies. As the day wears on, they yell back and forward across the street at one another, each of them proclaiming that they are the master of this year’s great outdoor cook-off challenge. Insisting that their Thanksgiving meats will be the most succulent because of tried and tested recipes passed down from father to son throughout the generations and perfected by them.
While inside the homes on this block, including mine, there is hustle and bustle taking place with various ingredients being mixed together for pies, cakes, stuffing/dressings, potato dishes, cranberry sauce, pea salad, mac and cheese and so much more.
So, as I sit here watching the day come to an end, I find myself thinking that maybe just maybe, that all of this is really what it means to celebrate Thanksgiving. And, that maybe each of should take a few minutes to fully appreciate the many sounds, noises, laughter and those wonderful fragrances that we allow to go unnoticed as we busily spend the day preparing for the Holiday. Because, you know I realized today that when taken in there totatality, this is really what makes Thanksgiving a celebration. Let’s eat! Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Birthdays
Birthdays
The Harris’ treat everyone’s birthday as if it is Christmas. Meaning that as a family we pull out all the stops to make sure that you know that your birth into this clan is revered as one of the most special and precious things that ever happen. For us a new member is received as a true gift from God, and each year afterward s on birthdays, we acknowledge once again our thanks.
So, regardless of your age, you get the full treatment…cake, ice cream, gifts and that time honored and practiced out of tune song “Happy Birthday.” For us even with the large size of the clan, never gets old. And, of course as we’ve grown over the years, it almost means a monthly effort is required by birthday committee preparing for the next celebration. Of course we have friends who often express the opinion that the Harris’ are just addicted to celebrating; and will do so even when it’s the family pet’s birthday. Not true of course.
For me one of the great joy’s over the years is reviewing the video and pictures taken of various family members and comparing expressions (that seem to never change) of excitement and joy displayed. From little kids to full adults, each of us is forever captured in a state of Christmas day excitement on our birthday. And, as the clan continues to grow, the birthday committee excitedly adds their name to the calendar and begins the process of making plans for our newest gift from God.
So, when it comes to birthdays, the Harris clan rates this event (holiday) only second to the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For as we celebrate God’s gift of his son to the world; we embrace his gift to us of sons and daughters. Thank you God; Happy Birthday Baby Jesus, and each and every member of the Harris clan.
The Harris’ treat everyone’s birthday as if it is Christmas. Meaning that as a family we pull out all the stops to make sure that you know that your birth into this clan is revered as one of the most special and precious things that ever happen. For us a new member is received as a true gift from God, and each year afterward s on birthdays, we acknowledge once again our thanks.
So, regardless of your age, you get the full treatment…cake, ice cream, gifts and that time honored and practiced out of tune song “Happy Birthday.” For us even with the large size of the clan, never gets old. And, of course as we’ve grown over the years, it almost means a monthly effort is required by birthday committee preparing for the next celebration. Of course we have friends who often express the opinion that the Harris’ are just addicted to celebrating; and will do so even when it’s the family pet’s birthday. Not true of course.
For me one of the great joy’s over the years is reviewing the video and pictures taken of various family members and comparing expressions (that seem to never change) of excitement and joy displayed. From little kids to full adults, each of us is forever captured in a state of Christmas day excitement on our birthday. And, as the clan continues to grow, the birthday committee excitedly adds their name to the calendar and begins the process of making plans for our newest gift from God.
So, when it comes to birthdays, the Harris clan rates this event (holiday) only second to the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For as we celebrate God’s gift of his son to the world; we embrace his gift to us of sons and daughters. Thank you God; Happy Birthday Baby Jesus, and each and every member of the Harris clan.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Inner City Productions, Inc
Inner City Productions, Inc.
Inner City is a non-profit community based arts and culture development organization created in 1979, that my four sisters and I founded. Our reason for creating the organization was to offset the lack of access by children living in rural Southeastern Oklahoma communities such as McAlester, to African American arts and culture activities and programming. Since founding the organization we have sponsored over five thousand events for youth and their families featuring a wide variety of artist including the Harlem Boys Choir from New York.
Sponsorship of many of the events was shared with partners such as Langston, East Central and Northeastern Universities. The Oklahoma Arts Council, Mid-West Arts Alliance of America, County/City governments, Public Schools, local merchants and citizens dedicated to supporting the arts.
The organization’s outreach to surrounding areas has and continues to present community programming in Muskogee, Atoka, Idabel, Hugo, Eufaula, Haileyville, and Hartshorne Public Schools, parks and community facilities. We are currently attempting to establish a relationship with Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma to identify gifted and talented African American artist for inclusion in the 2010-11 schedule of programming.
Inner City is a non-profit community based arts and culture development organization created in 1979, that my four sisters and I founded. Our reason for creating the organization was to offset the lack of access by children living in rural Southeastern Oklahoma communities such as McAlester, to African American arts and culture activities and programming. Since founding the organization we have sponsored over five thousand events for youth and their families featuring a wide variety of artist including the Harlem Boys Choir from New York.
Sponsorship of many of the events was shared with partners such as Langston, East Central and Northeastern Universities. The Oklahoma Arts Council, Mid-West Arts Alliance of America, County/City governments, Public Schools, local merchants and citizens dedicated to supporting the arts.
The organization’s outreach to surrounding areas has and continues to present community programming in Muskogee, Atoka, Idabel, Hugo, Eufaula, Haileyville, and Hartshorne Public Schools, parks and community facilities. We are currently attempting to establish a relationship with Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma to identify gifted and talented African American artist for inclusion in the 2010-11 schedule of programming.
Monday, November 1, 2010
“Halloween”
My sister’s, brothers and I would start two weeks early debating who would be who in disguise for Halloween. During the late fifties living out in rural Pittsburg County, there was no such thing as store bought costumes. It was all about fingernail polish, Aunt Mary’s makeup, old clothes and a lot of imagination. And, in a town of two hundred coal miner families, we were all in the same boat when it came to Halloween costumes.
But, where we didn’t have to skimp was in the available abundance of love and affection shown to each of us kids by everyone whose home we visited that evening. Now, in a coal mining town, bagged candy was not readily available. But, we never felt that we missed out on having a real celebration because families spent the week of the holiday baking cookies, small pies and cakes, making caramel apple’s, bagging various fruits; and if you were the first to arrive at Mrs. Susie’s house, you were treated to cold glass of Kool-Aid or maybe even a bottle of coke.
After becoming a parent I recounted this story to my children who slightly pass looks of disbelieve between themselves, slowly shook their little heads and mumbled in unison, “Our poor father.” Looking back we were cash poor, but the Lord knows we were not love starved are lacking in the kind of freedom denied children today, to roam the mountain side exploring and seeking adventure.
I raised my children in McAlester, in a city not lacking in a traditional Halloween celebration, but, each year I couldn’t help but think “My poor children” will never know the joys of a real country celebration of Halloween!
My sister’s, brothers and I would start two weeks early debating who would be who in disguise for Halloween. During the late fifties living out in rural Pittsburg County, there was no such thing as store bought costumes. It was all about fingernail polish, Aunt Mary’s makeup, old clothes and a lot of imagination. And, in a town of two hundred coal miner families, we were all in the same boat when it came to Halloween costumes.
But, where we didn’t have to skimp was in the available abundance of love and affection shown to each of us kids by everyone whose home we visited that evening. Now, in a coal mining town, bagged candy was not readily available. But, we never felt that we missed out on having a real celebration because families spent the week of the holiday baking cookies, small pies and cakes, making caramel apple’s, bagging various fruits; and if you were the first to arrive at Mrs. Susie’s house, you were treated to cold glass of Kool-Aid or maybe even a bottle of coke.
After becoming a parent I recounted this story to my children who slightly pass looks of disbelieve between themselves, slowly shook their little heads and mumbled in unison, “Our poor father.” Looking back we were cash poor, but the Lord knows we were not love starved are lacking in the kind of freedom denied children today, to roam the mountain side exploring and seeking adventure.
I raised my children in McAlester, in a city not lacking in a traditional Halloween celebration, but, each year I couldn’t help but think “My poor children” will never know the joys of a real country celebration of Halloween!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Assignment 1
In two-thousand and five the board of directors of Inner City Productions, Inc. and those of us on the staff agreed that after twenty-eight years of non-stop community activism, it was time to take a break. So, making a unanimous decision we place the organization on a temporary snooze break while each of us pursued other aspirations.
For me this break was all about returning to OCU to complete my degree.
With only eleven hours remaining to graduate, I can now look back at this experience with a renewed sense of achievement and accomplishment. I started this process with four hours carried over from my first attempt at college in 1966. The journey to completing the remaining one hundred and twenty hours has been to say the least a challenge. Especially since I live in McAlester Ok, and had to commute to Oklahoma City during the winter months.
As March grows closer (when I finish), the ice and snow covered roads traveled too and from the university, now adds to my sense of accomplishment. But, I have to be honest, there were days that I felt like turning around, going back home and giving up. At those moments while engaged in an enteral debate, I resolve that this time, there would be no going back or quitting.
In June 2010, the board of directors and staff agreed it was time to reactivate the organization; so the last five months has involved various legal and organizational task that ultimately restores it to full operation. Saturday October 16th we held the first event in McAlester, implementing a multi-county health and wellness project titled “Save The Children.” This campaign is affiliated with First Lady Michelle Obama’s national initiative to address childhood obesity.
After four years to do nothing but school, the challenge of working full time and school obligations remains to be determined. Fortunately, I have the support of the board, staff and volunteers who are committed to assisting me in completing this personal goal; so I look forward to embracing this challenge.
There is however, a real silver lining in taking this particular class as we actively engaged in restoring the organization to full operation. We are in need of a well planned and implemented media campaign to alert both supporters and the general public that we are back; and ready to go another twenty-eight years.
Did I hear you say we have to prepare a Public Relations plan for a non-profit organization? Hummm, I’ve got just the one for this assignment.
For me this break was all about returning to OCU to complete my degree.
With only eleven hours remaining to graduate, I can now look back at this experience with a renewed sense of achievement and accomplishment. I started this process with four hours carried over from my first attempt at college in 1966. The journey to completing the remaining one hundred and twenty hours has been to say the least a challenge. Especially since I live in McAlester Ok, and had to commute to Oklahoma City during the winter months.
As March grows closer (when I finish), the ice and snow covered roads traveled too and from the university, now adds to my sense of accomplishment. But, I have to be honest, there were days that I felt like turning around, going back home and giving up. At those moments while engaged in an enteral debate, I resolve that this time, there would be no going back or quitting.
In June 2010, the board of directors and staff agreed it was time to reactivate the organization; so the last five months has involved various legal and organizational task that ultimately restores it to full operation. Saturday October 16th we held the first event in McAlester, implementing a multi-county health and wellness project titled “Save The Children.” This campaign is affiliated with First Lady Michelle Obama’s national initiative to address childhood obesity.
After four years to do nothing but school, the challenge of working full time and school obligations remains to be determined. Fortunately, I have the support of the board, staff and volunteers who are committed to assisting me in completing this personal goal; so I look forward to embracing this challenge.
There is however, a real silver lining in taking this particular class as we actively engaged in restoring the organization to full operation. We are in need of a well planned and implemented media campaign to alert both supporters and the general public that we are back; and ready to go another twenty-eight years.
Did I hear you say we have to prepare a Public Relations plan for a non-profit organization? Hummm, I’ve got just the one for this assignment.
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