History Comes Alive At Westport Library’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
On Sunday the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum was standing room only for what may arguably be one of the best MLK Day celebrations Westport has seen to-date. The term “epic” may be quite over used but anyone who attended this event could hardly disagree. This achievement was made possible by a collaboration between the Library, TEAM Westport, the Westport Country Playhouse and Westport/Weston Interfaith Clergy and Council.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
The stellar line-up of speakers included U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Representative Richie Torres from the Bronx, New York’s 15th Congressional district, acclaimed novelist, playwright, and filmmaker Trey Ellis, TEAM Westport (Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism) Chair Harold Bailey and Westport Library Director Bill Harmer.
What place this event on a whole new level was the appearance of guest of honor civil rights icon Dr. Clarence B. Jones who served as legal counsel, strategic advisor, and draft speechwriter to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1960 until King’s assassination in 1968. Among his many accomplishments was his writing of the first seven paragraphs of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech which is one of the nation’s most well known and beloved addresses in recent history. The interview was conducted by Westport’s own Craig Melvin, noted NBC anchor, correspondent and host of the 3rd hour of the Today Show.
The event, which was Westport’s 18th celebration of MLK day, began with opening remarks by TEAM’s Harold Bailey who made mention of the visit by Dr. King to Westport’s Temple Israel on May 22nd, 1964 where he spoke before a crowd of more than 600 people. Bailey spoke about his and TEAM’s efforts to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion in the Town of Westport.
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The next speaker was U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who was called a “national treasure” by Bailey, a comment which clearly amused the Senator who said he had never been called that before, and quipped that he hoped that his wife Cynthia would take note of the accolade. Blumenthal thanked Melvin and Congressman Torres whom he called his heroes for being great advocates in the spirit of Martin Luther King. Blumenthal went on to praise Dr. Clarence Jones for the powerful support that he gave to King, including his contribution to King’s “I have a dream” speech. He stressed the need to recognize that troubled times we are in currently quoting King who said that “hate cannot drive out hate, only love can drive out hate” adding, “Where there is injustice anywhere, there is injustice everywhere.
Next was a brilliant performance of Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We Will All Be Free” by violinist Kersten Stevens, six-time winner of amateur night at the Apollo and Stratford native. Next, Westport’s Lisa Weitzman, co-founder of the “Spill The Honey Organization” which helps build Black-Jewish relations presented a pre-recorded very special conversation on the Forum’s giant screen with the guest of honor, Dr. Jones, who she then welcomed to the stage. Trey Ellis then introduced Craig Melvin who began what turned out to be an interview which captivated the audience for more than an hour.
What transpired during that time was the 93 year old Jones describing highlights of his life and regaled the audience with stories of his association with King and other civil right leaders with whom he worked closely, including the celebrated entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte and Andrew Young, former Ambassador to the United Nations and mayor of Atlanta who is credited with helping to draft the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which was instrumental in helping to secure the rights of African Americans.
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Dr. Jones was described as “bringing history to life” with his stories of his significant contributions to civil rights and gave insight to the inner workings of his part of the movement with Dr. King. He spoke of the time when Dr. King and many of his young supporters were arrested in April of 1960, spending 5 days in jail. He was contacted by Nelson and David Rockefeller, part of one of the wealthiest families in America who wanted to help with King and his supporter’s plight. He was called at the suggestion of Bellefonte to the Chase bank in New York, now called Chase Manhattan, where he met the Rockefellers and of which David was chairman and CEO. David then began counting out $100 bills until he reached a total of $100,000.00 which was to be given to Jones to aid in the bail for King and his supporters. He then described how he had to sign an on-demand promissory note as per banking regulations, which took him by surprise, telling he audience “ Oh my Lord, I better not tell my wife”. He called Bellefonte and complained that he had to sign the note, to which Bellefonte replied “better you than me” causing Jones to yell, “but you got more money than me.” Jones finished the story by speaking of the following Tuesday when a messenger arrived at his office bearing that promissory note which had been marked “Paid In Full”. He informed the audience that King’s most famous speech, the first paragraphs he wrote, was from that point on entirely extemporaneous. He described how famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson yelled to King “tell him about the dream”, and the rest was history. These stories held the rapt attention of the audience who would probably have listened to his stories for another hour.
Above, (left) Shonda Rhimes was in the audience and was given a shout-out by Dr. Jones who called her “his Goddaughter”.
Jones had answered Melvin’s questions mostly in normal tones, however when the topic of anti-semitism and the Gaza situation was raised, Dr. Jones became heated, defending Israel’s attempt to eliminate the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel. Jones had become very close to the Jewish community through the years having become close friends with Jewish students in college.
What followed was the appearance on stage of Congressman Torres who In 2013, at the age of 25, became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly LGBTQ person elected to office in the Bronx. Jones was clearly highly impressed with Torres, joking that he would become president of the United States one day. Dr. Jones then gave a shout out to entertainment mogul Shonda Rhimes who is a Westport resident, whom he called his “Goddaughter” and who was in the audience and who lovingly accepted Jones’ acknowledgement.
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Near the end of his appearance he discussed an intimate experience with King who had been having mental health issues and King’s personal physician who was attempting to have King see a psychiatrist. Jones pushed back telling the doctor that there was no way he would allow that fearing that “within thirty to sixty days that Martin King is under regular consultation of a psychiatrist the transcript of everything he said to the psychiatrist would be on J. Edgar Hoover’s desk”. Hoover was the very powerful head of the FBI who vehemently opposed the work of Dr. King and went to great lengths to destroy his career. At this point, Dr. Jones came to tears as he described his efforts to help and protect King to which the audience responded with tremendous applause as they heard this story, for many the first time they would hear of it. What follows was a standing ovation as Jones tearfully said “I wish that I could have done better, but I didn’t, I’m sorry, I did the best that I could.
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Mr. Melvin told WestportLocalPress, “It was an honor and privilege to spend time in conversation with Clarence Jones, a living piece of essential history. His stories, perspective, and humor were precisely what we needed to honor and celebrate his friend and our angel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I just sat there like a fly on the wall. I’d do it every weekend if asked. What a special afternoon.”
As we said earlier, history came alive at the Westport Library on Sunday.
To see this amazing and unforgettable presentation visit the Westport Library’s YouTube recording here: Westport Library MLK Celebration YouTube Video
After the conclusion of the event, Dr. Jones held a signing of his new book, Last of the Lions: An African American Journey in Memoir
Gloria Gouveia of Westport gets a moment to speak with Dr. Jones while he signs his new book after Sunday’s MLK event at the Westport Library.
Last of the Lions is two histories woven into one remarkable story. It's a personal history – the evocative life of Clarence B. Jones, from his depression- and segregation-era upbringing at the hands of caring Irish Catholic nuns through our current era (when America elected a President to follow the first black man to hold the office with a man dog-whistling to white supremacists for four years). And all the amazing moments in between – his Ivy League years, his unprecedented dual role as simultaneous military draftee and protester, his work as an entertainment lawyer, financial and media entrepreneur, and more. But it's also the coming-of-age story of this country, with the kind of intimate observations and thought-provoking perspective that unfurl in classics like Soul on Ice, On the Road, and The Feminine Mystique.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
First Selectwoman Tooker Looks At The Year Ahead In Westport What’s Happening Podcast
Long Lots Building Project To Be Discussed at Town Hall On Tuesday
In this podcast produced by Westport “Y’s Men, Jen looks at the year ahead and discusses objectives and updates on new and continuing projects and programs to giving us her vision for the coming year. This is a very informational podcast.
This podcast addresses the Long Lots Building Committee meeting taking place at Town Hall which had originally been scheduled for Tuesday January 9th at 6:00 PM.
That Committee meeting has been re-scheduled for Thursday, January 11, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
Tooker has withdrawn the current plan before the Planning and Zoning Commission and said that she “expects to re-submit a potentially modified plan on the 22nd of January.”
To view the Podcast, click here: Westport… What’s Happening
Wreckers Corral Mustangs To Take Immaculate Holiday Tournament Title
Wreckers captains Adam Udell, Sam Clachko, Caleb Smith and Nick Sikorsky with tournament title trophies.
The Staples Wreckers Boys got their pre-season off to great start with a victory in the annual Immaculate High School Holiday Tournament in Danbury on Friday night. The boys 62-51 victory over West Haven Wednesday brought them to the final match-up against Immaculate High in which they defeated the Immaculate Mustangs 64-52.
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Udell, who scored 20 points in this win, and was named the All-Tournament player. Sophomore Clachko’s 22 points and 11 rebounds against a taller Immaculate squad earned him tourney MVP honors. Clachko was also instrumental in the West Haven win, scoring 31 points in that game. Junior Adam Udell added 20 points and led rebounding with 11 boards, and sophomore Mason Tobias also had a strong game, adding 8 points and another 8 rebounds.
Immaculate got of to a good start holding a 6-5 lead early in the first period and then 11-9 after breaking a 9-9 tie. That would be the last lead they would have as Staples found their rhythm gaining an 11-15 advantage with a minute left in the first. A combination of good outside shooting and the repeated drives in the lane by sophomore standout Sam Clachko brought the lead to 7 midway into the second period. The Wreckers went into the locker at the half leading 35-28 but the Mustangs fought from the second half tip-off recovering with a 36-36 tie in less than two minutes of play.
Staples continued their tenacious defense and started the final period holding an 8 point advantage, which they built upon with continued strong drives to the hoop, sealing the victory by 13 points to take home tournament trophies.
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Coach David Goldshore told WestportLocal that he was “Pleased with our preseason. Competed through some injuries and an incredible state football run. Excited to be at full strength to begin our conference schedule next Friday at home vs the cream of the crop, Ridgefield.“ Senior captain Caleb Smith was the Wreckers standout QB who led the Wreckers to the State Football Title.
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Goldshore added “ I understand we are slightly undersized, but our goal is not to be out-toughed, and I think we have accomplished that goal so far.” He added, “I didn’t think it was our best effort as a whole, but when you win games and you don’t play great, miss a lot of free throws I think it speaks volumes about where you are as a team right now.”
Staples fans will recognize Wrecker superstar Chris Zajac, (above right) who was in the stands to support his former teammates. The 6’7” Zajac helped lead Staples basketball last year and in prior years and was a pitcher for Staples baseball.
A Visit To Christmas Past
Revisitng the magic of Rick & Joan Setti’s Spectacular Christmas Village which ran for 26 years nearby in Norwalk.
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For nearly three decades generations of people, young and old made their yearly pilgrimage to Norwalk each December to one the the greatest Christmas displays in Connecticut and actually one of the best in the country. That fact was established in 2014 when the nationally televised ABC show, “The Great Christmas Light Fight” airing for it’s second year awarded the Settis first place which came with a $50,000 prize.
Rick and Joan’s reaction was stunned amazement in a moment that is a must see, click here: Great Christmas Light Fight.
There are no doubt hundreds and hundreds of Westporters with fond memories of one day being children and teens brought by their parents to years later being parents brining their own little ones to find amazement and joy at the sight. Alone approached the families home they could see they were on the right road as the glow of the lights was visible even before you got to the house.
The family and friends would begin assembling their display, which included 150,000 lights and over 700 hand-made characters in September to get ready for the big day after Thanksgiving Day.
That is when the City made their Midwood Road in Norwalk’s West Rocks section a one way street to try to manage the hundreds of cars which would arrive at dusk to marvel at the brilliant spectacle the Settis created. They added to their display over the years as Rick would create characters from across the spectrum of children’s entertainment in his wood shop and wife Joan would lovingly hand paint each figure. There was everything from early Disney films such as Snow White to the Peanuts Gang. There were scores of snowmen, Surfs galore, their North Pole Village and the scenes from the birth of Jesus. There were numerous room vignettes which the children would clamor into and pose for photos. The demand for electric service was so great CL&P, now Eversource had to install a dedicated transformer to handle the demand.
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The biggest day for the Settis was in fact Christmas Eve. This was when, at “their invitation” Santa and Mrs. Clause would take up their positions and hand out a candy cane to every child who came to sit on Santa’s lap to answer the age old question, “And what would you like for Christmas this year?”, no doubt hoping their Christmas wish would be granted the next morning. This would easily be a four hour process and they were able to tally the number of children who each received one candy cane which sometimes numbers more than 800 children.
The great gift of the first place finish was a poignant one for the Setti’s, who were then in their 70’s and would be making their last Christmas Miracle that year. They told everyone they would hold a tag sale after their season was over so that the beautiful pieces that had been a part of so many people’s lives would then become part of those family’s Christmas decorations.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.