75th anniversary
New book recalls Detroit community memories
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE During the year of The
Michigan Chronicle 75th an- niversary celebration, Robert K. Jones published a reflec- tive collection acknowledging an important legacy. “The Last Sleigh Ride: A Detroit Folk Histo- ry” shares personal ex- periences through 26 powerful vi- gnettes that introduce twenty-six longer, il- lus t r a t ed stories re-
flecting a riveting, Depression era folk history.
Jones’ second book re-
calls the life and times of an isolated Black community in northwest Detroit between the years of 1937 and 1957. It is an unforgettable slice of life with war, race, sex and poverty as a backdrop. The Last Sleigh Ride is a must read for anyone who is interested in the arch- ing American culture and the Great Lakes Region.
“The book’s title is linked
to the fact that we actually had sleigh rides in northwest Detroit until the urban over- took the rural and there was no more space for the rides,” Jones explained. “Also, the
CACU
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE ‘The Last Sleigh Ride’
Engineering graduate retired from Ford Motor Company as a Research and Engineering Supervisor. Jones resides in Detroit with his wife and two sons. The Littlefield (Liberty ) Block Club President also serves on the Book Club of Detroit Board of Directors.
“I love my city and pine for
her as she continues to give away her store drying out or otherwise driving out the glue that she needs to hold her to- gether,” Jones said.
“My stories in part reflect
the coming to terms with loss of promised brightness for a community fighting for sur- vival to this day.
Robert K. Jones
title is symbolic of a material gain on one hand and a spiritu- al loss on the other...It seems that when sleigh rides left the area, the dream to become real Americans left with them.”
“In addition to answering
my sons’ questions, I wanted to pay homage by way of a name, location or event to many wonderful people who helped by God’s great grace to shape and direct my life,” Jones explained. “For exam- ple, in the 23rd chapter, I hon- ored an aunt who was bruised under segregation and buffeted by the hard winds of a twisted history but still gave her all to make others the Americans she could never be.”
After growing up in the city,
Jones served on the Detroit City Council’s Community Re- lations Committee. The Wayne State University College of
From page C-1
ing a branch in Highland Park, a neighborhood sorely in need of service that hadn’t seen a financial institu- tion open in over 20 years. In 2009 they received na- tional awards for social responsibility and providing services to people in need. In 2010 the Credit Union Times named Communicating Arts Credit Union their national Trailblazer of the Year for serving the under- served.
What people
may not know is that CACU continues to be in the forefront of
innovative
CACU was one of the first institu- tions in the area to have ATMs, members now have free access to 28,000 ATMs throughout the world on the Co-Op Network.
financial ser- vices. Last year, CACU piloted Save to Win, where savers receive an entry into a raffle for every $25 depos- ited. Like the Lottery, CACU gives away cash prizes monthly, but unlike a lot- tery savers keep their money. The
credit
union has been featured by many national experts in their
commentary, and there are nearly 40 credit unions in Michigan participating this year, with several states planning to try next year.
Communicating Arts Credit Union continues to
demonstrate its devotion to our citizens through its actions. Later this year they will continue their strat- egy to reach out to the neighborhoods by opening its newest branch on Detroit’s east side in the Mack Alter Square. We can be thankful that we have an innovative voice for the people here in Detroit, and look forward to what he next 75 years might bring to our city.
Renovation has begun on CACU’s newest branch at the Mack Alter Square on Detroit’s east side. The branch is ex- pected to open by the end of the year.
Detroit native re-creates history on the Hilberry Stage The Hilberry Theatre Com-
pany will re-create history with William Shakespeare’s famous tale of Richard III. Richard is a deformed man who removes all obstacles and people that stand between him and the crown of England. An ambitious political genius and one of the most notorious vil- lains ever written, Richard will be brought to life by De- troit native and first-year actor Edmund Alyn Jones. Richard III runs in rotating repertory until Feb. 25, 2011.
Although new to the Hil-
berry, Jones is no stranger to Detroit audiences. He was born and raised in Detroit, where he attended Laura F. Osborn High School and was Valedictorian. He earned his BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Michi- gan and is now pursuing his MFA at Wayne State Univer- sity. He has performed at sev- eral area theatre companies, including the Gem, Music Hall, City Theatre, Furniture Factory, Magenta Giraffe and Mosaic Youth Theatre of De- troit. Jones is an ambitious man and has proven to be an inspirational role model for the city’s youth. While at the Hilberry he hopes “to inspire young black actors to reach for something like this. I want to bring my heart and vulner- ability to the stage and move people to wake up a little and enjoy life with more intensity. Besides,” he joked, “how often
Edmund Alyn in “Richard III.”
do you see a nice, friendly black guy from Detroit portray a cranky, bloodthirsty, hunch- backed English monarch?”
Utilizing his Detroit roots
and education, Jones plans to create a fresh, new Rich- ard. With a background in both professional clowning and classical theatre, Jones hopes to marry his skills and authentically portray the hunchbacked villain while staying true to Shakespeare’s text. “Richard is a man of ex- treme measures,” said Jones, “and I am an actor of extreme vocal, physical, and spiritual energy. I hope our audiences leave this production feeling like they experienced my very soul put on display for them.”
Jones’s upbeat and intense personality will surely keep audience members engaged and wondering if they should be cheering on the bad guy.
Richard III cast members
include Edmund Alyn Jones (Richard III), Carollette Phillips (Lady Anne), Alan Ball (Buck- ingham), Samantha Rosentrat- er (Queen Elizabeth), Erman Jones (Stanley), Jason Cabral (Ratcliffe), Chris Ellis (Hast- ings), Adam Maslak (Grey), Andrew Papa (Richmond), Peter Prouty (King Edward), Vanessa Sawson (Clarence), David Toomey (Catesby), Jordan Whalen (Rivers), Lore- lei Sturm (Dutchess of York), Sara Hymes (Brakenbury), Alex Hill (Prince Edward), Mar- lina Murkowski (Clarence’s Daughter) and Erin Hildeb- randt (Young Duke of York).
Production team includes
Mercedes Coley (production stage manager), Jacee Rohlck (scenic designer), Christa Koerner (costume designer), Jason Pratt (lighting design- er), Mike Thomas (sound de- signer), Curtis Green (techni- cal director), Michael Wilkki (props master), and Robert Lima (ublicity manager).
Tickets are $25-$30 and are
available by calling the Hilber- ry Theatre Box Office at (313) 577-2972, online at www.hil-
berry.com, or by visiting the box office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass Ave. and Hancock.
at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Harlem’s Apollo Theater, the Smithsonian presents this multimedia exhibition which begins its national tour at the Charles H. Wright Museum. Drawing on wide- ranging materials, including historic photographs, film, recordings, and artist interviews, this exhibit includes one-of-a-kind and rarely displayed artifacts such as James Brown’s cape and jumpsuit, Michael Jackson’s fedora, Ella Fitzgerald’s dress, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet, LL Cool J’s jacket and hat, and many, many more!
Helping people save is a priority, and innovative programs like Save to Win actually make saving fun, with the ex- citement of winning cash prizes.
Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC. The publication of True
Colors: Detroit’s Fall Color Guide, selected for the Nation- al Inspirational Role Models Month Recommended Reading List, marked Jones’ debut as an author. His recent release is the second in a trilogy of books featuring Detroit. It is available for $9.95 at burning-
viperbooks.com and amazon. com. A resource guide costs $1 or is free with a mini- mum order of 6 books. For additional information, visit
burnimgviperbooks.com or call 313.720.0090.
Join Jones for “The Last
Sleigh Ride Adventure” on Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Oak Park Public Library (14200 Oak Park Boulevard, Oak Park, Michigan, 48237, (248) 691-7480). The free event fea- tures prize drawings, read- ing, Q & A session and light refreshments. To RSVP, call (313) 778-1550.
The things we do for
A strong and diverse community creates a bond between us all. It fosters friendship, kindness, and well-being. No one better understands this than we do. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate the lives and achievements of African-Americans who have helped make this country what it is today. Like you, we know what it takes to reach your dreams, and we’ll do our best to help you achieve them.
T:5.78” November 10-16, 2010
Page C-2
Congratulations to The Michigan Chronicle, celebrating 75 years of excellence in the city of Detroit.
3185_PastPresentRev_578x105_4cl.indd Client: FTB
Free monthly financial seminars at CACU are well-received in the commu- nity.
Ad Number: 3185 InDesign CS4 Date: 10-4-2010 3:05 PM Page: 1 of 1
Publication(s): Michigan Chronicle-Front
Page Tab Material Close Date: 10-4-10 Ins ertion Date: 10-4-10 Notes: Half page ad.
Live: 5.28” x 10” Trim: 5.78” x 10.5”
Bleed: 5.78” x 10.5” Scale: 1”=1”
Printed: None Final Output At: 100%
Project Manager: N. Knutson Studio Artist: freelance
Account Manager: None Art Director: None Copy Writer: None
Previous User: Logan Ogden
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black PMS Blue
072 U
Document Path: ...olumes:OLSON2:Creative:Fifth Third Bank:Affiliate_Requests:2010:3185:
3185_PastPresentRev_578x105_4cl.indd Used Fonts: Gotham (Book, Medium, MediumItalic), GothamCondensed (Book), Dan’s Hand (Regular)
Linked Content: 53_White w-tag-WithStroke.eps, 53_5c w-tag-GothamBOOK.eps, GettyImages_10147628_240.tif (734 ppi; 40.84%)
Ain’t nothing Like the ReAL thing was organized by the national Museum of African American history and Culture in collaboration with the Apollo theater Foundation. the exhibition’s national tour is made possible by a generous grant from time Warner inc. Additional funding was provided by JPMorgan Chase & Co. the exhibition’s national tour is organized by the Smithsonian institution traveling exhibition Service.
Photos above: Apollo Theater Exterior, 2008 Photo courtesy of the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Photo by Shahar Azran; The Supremes at the Apollo Theater - Photo courtesy of The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Photo by Kwame Brathwaite; James Brown at the Apollo Theater - Photo courtesy of The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Photo by Kwame Brathwaite.
t
315 E. Warren Ave. Detroit, MI 48201 | (313) 494-5800 |
www.CharlesHWrightMuseum.org Ford Motor Company Fund
Tues - Sat 9 am - 5 pm | Sun 1 - 5 pm | Exhibition free with museum admission
Apollo_Ad_forMIC.indd 1 11/2/10 7:23 PM
now through January 2nd
T:10.5”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32