Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 5-25-18

Features
City To Host
History Of Memorial Day
4th Annual Stay &
Did you know that Blacks were the first to celebrate the holiday? While it’s unclear if they were wearing white, we do know that recently freed slaves founded the holiday in 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina, according to D. L. Chandler in a piece at BlackAmericaWeb.
David Blight, a history professor at Yale University, says, “Decoration Day” was held in Charleston to honor fallen soldiers from the Union Army in the North, though other cities have re- futed his findings, the report says.
From BlackAmeri- caWeb:
The Civil War ended on April 9, 1865, with the Union victorious over its Confederate foes.
In order to celebrate
celebration of the Emancipation Procla- mation passing in 1863. However, it was far more than that for those gathered.
The town was a Con- federate stronghold, and over 250 soldiers died as prisoners there as Union forces began to overtake the region.
The Confederate sol- diers buried the dead in unmarked graves and fled in fear.
The freed Blacks who came to the Decoration Day event viewed those soldiers as martyrs who died selflessly for their freedom.
While there were Black soldiers in the Union Army, the cele- bration was in honor of all who fought for the winning side.
Play At Parks
Civil War Soldiers
the victory and honor the dead, on May 1 of that year around 10,000 freed Black men and women gathered in his- toric Hampton Park. The group placed flow- ers on the graves of un- known soldiers, a practice held often in times of war.
The event caught the attention of the nation, and it was largely under- stood by Whites to be a
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Once again, youngsters will have an opportunity to enjoy extended hours at se- lected parks and recreation centers in the City of Tampa. The program kicks off its 4th consecutive year, beginning Friday, May 25th.
These extended hours will provide teenagers with free Rec Cards, which allows access to these recreation centers, different programs to participate in, and a vari- ety of educational events.
Since the inception of our Stay & Play Program, more than 100,000 teenagers have visited vari- ous centers and pools. The purpose of the Stay & Play Program is to provide teenagers with a place where they can be active, safe, and healthy.
Food will be provided for free as well as transporta- tion home when available from the Parks and Recre- ation Department.
Some of the programs being offered at the loca- tions include: fitness classes, swimming classes, athletic training/leagues, Girls Fun Friday, music pro- duction classes, computer classes, anger management classes, and more.
Community partners such as Friends of Tampa Recreation, Safe and Sound of Hillsborough County, Computer Mentors, Derrick Brooks Charities, East Tampa Initiative, Spring- field College Mentors, Alpha Phi Alpha Men of Tomor- row, and The Skills Center will assist with the program- ming offered during the summer.
The selected locations participating in the Stay & Play Program will be open until midnight seven days a week.
Locations Participating
The locations offering the Stay & Play Program are:
The locations participat- ing in Stay & Play this sum- mer that will remain open until midnight, 7 days a week are: Copeland Com- munity Center (Pool re- mains open until 8 p.m. on select days); Cyrus Greene Community Center (Pool remains open until 8 p.m. on select days); Desoto Community Cen- ter (Spicola pool will re- main open until 10 p.m.); Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (Pool remains open until 8 p.m. on select days); Williams Park-Activity Center (Pool remains open until 10 p.m.); Grant Park Activity Center; Gwen- dolyn Miller Commu- nity Center; Jackson Heights Community Center; and Springhill Community Center.
Other events that will be held during Stay & Play are: Skating Field Trip; Teen Court; Anti-Bullying Lec- tures; and the Stranger/ Danger Program offered by the Tampa Police Depart- ment.
Guest speakers includes former and current athletes, TDP, local businesses, Fire Department, and Parks and Recreational Staff.
The Future Leaders Training initiative being of- fered includes resume preparation, interviewing skills, and educational op- portunities.
The City is encouraging others to participate in the program. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the Parks and Recreational Department or visit one of the participating Stay & Play sites for further informa- tion.
PAGE 2-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018