Manhattan prepares for Juneteenth celebration
May 12, 2021Manhattan
After a difficult year for everyone, the Manhattan Juneteenth celebration seems even more important than ever.
Sonya Baker, Chair of the planning committee, says this year’s event will kick off on Thursday, June 17 with a presentation from Phil Dixon. Dixon is a co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and is the author of nine books. The presentation from Dixon will be at the Frederick Douglass Recreation Complex beginning at 6:30PM.
Friday night festivities will include a night of jazz music and arts in the park. Baker tells KMAN that local saxophonist, JahVelle Rhone, will open the night beginning at 7:30PM at the City Park. Following Rhone will be a musical performance featuring Julian Vaughn who has had two number ones on the Billboards.
The Catonsville widow of Baltimore Negro Leagues star Leon Day hopes a new Negro Leagues exhibit in Northeast Baltimore will help raise the pitcher’s profile and that of his teammates in his hometown.
Judson celebrates 191 grads at Saturday ceremony Judson graduated eight students with a Certificate of Completion from the RISE (Road to Independent Living, Spiritual Formation and Employment) Program for students with intellectual disabilities. Photos by Kevin Sherman Photography for Judson University Nicolette Dobson of Carpentersville, a biology and chemistry major graduate who has served in several key leadership roles, is awarded the Student Service Award. Photos by Kevin Sherman Photography for Judson University Judson graduate Christopher Veltkamp of Streamwood receives the President s Scholar Award-Traditional Undergraduate for distinguished academic achievement. Photos by Kevin Sherman Photography for Judson University There was plenty of hoopla as Judson University students celebrated their graduation Saturday in Elgin.
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By the time he turned 21, Willie Mays was in the Major Leagues and considered by many to be a five-tool player. The claim was first announced by Leo Durocher, Maysâ first big league manager in the early 1950s.
Mays could do it all. His glove and arm were exceptional. His running speed was considered tops in baseball, and his power and hitting ability were second to none.
It isnât difficult to figure out why Mays was established at such a young age. It started in the Negro Leagues, where Mays began his professional career at 15. Think about this: He had yet to graduate from high school, and he was playing with grown men.