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Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
Past, future part of homecoming
By Lauren Rosenkranz
Baytown Sun Published July 19, 2004 BARRETT STATION — A room with white table-cloths and color bursts from yellow spider mum flowers set the stage for an evening of flashy dresses and dignitary speakers Saturday night.
The community’s annual homecoming banquet was a family reunion of sorts that took the audience wading through their past with speaker’s stories of community foundation and childhood memories.
Some traveled as far as California to visit their birthplace, see old friends and shake hands with former teachers in a town south of Crosby.
The celebration, held every July with other weekend activities, honored senior citizens, recognized civic league accomplishments and focused on a visionary theme.
Gary Glenn Eagleton returned to his hometown as an honored guest speaker who kept the crowd laughing and nodding their heads in agreement with his theme analysis that supported a vision’s relevance to the community.
Eagleton, a Purple Heart decorated Vietnam Veteran and Harris County educational reformist, molded his speech around a quote from Joel Barker, independent scholar and futurist: “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is just passing time. Vision with action can change the world.”
Eagleton analyzed the vision-themed quote and sectioned out two words he considered most important to the community — vision and change.
“We must be able to clearly see what we desire for this community,” Gary Glenn Eagleton said. “It is my hope that time spent together this evening will inspire us to continue to make Barrett Station a place for future generations.”
Six building block codes outlined by 12 former slaves, including Harrison Barrett whom the town is named after, started the foundation for the community, he said.
From marriage and education to integrity and work ethics, Eagleton singled out important principles his forefathers laid for the town and the significance to keep those as steppingstones to a better future.
The crowd enjoyed a dinner with chicken, rice pilaf and bacon green beans catered by Barrett Station Seniors, while Melody Fontenot reflected on the history and mission of the Civic League.
Since 1949, members of the Civic League have worked as leaders promoting social harmony and heading crusades against drugs all the while encouraging community involvement and supporting local and state political elections.
“The Civic League’s goal is not to make a new community but (to make) a better community,” Fontenot said.
In tune with the homecoming celebration, the banquet spotlighted students of the Charles Drew High School classes of 1949-1970 who stood for recognition along with about five retired teachers and numerous students from Crosby High School in classes from 1971-2004.
Former Baytown Mayor Pete Alfaro and Ministerial Alliance president Tommy Johnson also were featured guests who honored senior citizens with framed certificates for their various contributions to the community as both teachers and business-driven individuals.
“We salute our seniors because they laid the foundation for this community,” Civic League President Willie Goodlow said. “They paid the cost to be the boss.”
Although some friends and relatives picked up plaques on behalf of loved ones, about 21 seniors made their way to the front stage to shake hands with Alfaro and Johnson.
With proper assistance and family support, everyone can succeed in life with a helping hand, Alfaro said.
Recognized seniors included Addie Barrett Dixon, Earline Eagleton Winn, Annie Shanklin, Steward Barnaba, Harold May, Eula Alexander, Myrtle Armstrong, Rosie Armstrong, Effie LaMark, John E. David, Anita Goodlow, S. J. Goodlow, Lorenza Goodlow, Earcille Hayes, Ella Eagleton, Mary Martin and Betty Hildreth. Honorable mentions included: Leatha Collins, Julia Hardy, Willie Anderson and Matt White, Sr.
More than 800 braved the heat at Riley Chambers Park for domino games and vendor booths while about 400 showed support for parade floats Saturday morning.
Homecoming festivities wrapped up with a dance at St. Martin de Porres Educational Building following the banquet at the Barrett Station Community Center.
Baytown Sun Published July 19, 2004 BARRETT STATION — A room with white table-cloths and color bursts from yellow spider mum flowers set the stage for an evening of flashy dresses and dignitary speakers Saturday night.
The community’s annual homecoming banquet was a family reunion of sorts that took the audience wading through their past with speaker’s stories of community foundation and childhood memories.
Some traveled as far as California to visit their birthplace, see old friends and shake hands with former teachers in a town south of Crosby.
The celebration, held every July with other weekend activities, honored senior citizens, recognized civic league accomplishments and focused on a visionary theme.
Gary Glenn Eagleton returned to his hometown as an honored guest speaker who kept the crowd laughing and nodding their heads in agreement with his theme analysis that supported a vision’s relevance to the community.
Eagleton, a Purple Heart decorated Vietnam Veteran and Harris County educational reformist, molded his speech around a quote from Joel Barker, independent scholar and futurist: “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is just passing time. Vision with action can change the world.”
Eagleton analyzed the vision-themed quote and sectioned out two words he considered most important to the community — vision and change.
“We must be able to clearly see what we desire for this community,” Gary Glenn Eagleton said. “It is my hope that time spent together this evening will inspire us to continue to make Barrett Station a place for future generations.”
Six building block codes outlined by 12 former slaves, including Harrison Barrett whom the town is named after, started the foundation for the community, he said.
From marriage and education to integrity and work ethics, Eagleton singled out important principles his forefathers laid for the town and the significance to keep those as steppingstones to a better future.
The crowd enjoyed a dinner with chicken, rice pilaf and bacon green beans catered by Barrett Station Seniors, while Melody Fontenot reflected on the history and mission of the Civic League.
Since 1949, members of the Civic League have worked as leaders promoting social harmony and heading crusades against drugs all the while encouraging community involvement and supporting local and state political elections.
“The Civic League’s goal is not to make a new community but (to make) a better community,” Fontenot said.
In tune with the homecoming celebration, the banquet spotlighted students of the Charles Drew High School classes of 1949-1970 who stood for recognition along with about five retired teachers and numerous students from Crosby High School in classes from 1971-2004.
Former Baytown Mayor Pete Alfaro and Ministerial Alliance president Tommy Johnson also were featured guests who honored senior citizens with framed certificates for their various contributions to the community as both teachers and business-driven individuals.
“We salute our seniors because they laid the foundation for this community,” Civic League President Willie Goodlow said. “They paid the cost to be the boss.”
Although some friends and relatives picked up plaques on behalf of loved ones, about 21 seniors made their way to the front stage to shake hands with Alfaro and Johnson.
With proper assistance and family support, everyone can succeed in life with a helping hand, Alfaro said.
Recognized seniors included Addie Barrett Dixon, Earline Eagleton Winn, Annie Shanklin, Steward Barnaba, Harold May, Eula Alexander, Myrtle Armstrong, Rosie Armstrong, Effie LaMark, John E. David, Anita Goodlow, S. J. Goodlow, Lorenza Goodlow, Earcille Hayes, Ella Eagleton, Mary Martin and Betty Hildreth. Honorable mentions included: Leatha Collins, Julia Hardy, Willie Anderson and Matt White, Sr.
More than 800 braved the heat at Riley Chambers Park for domino games and vendor booths while about 400 showed support for parade floats Saturday morning.
Homecoming festivities wrapped up with a dance at St. Martin de Porres Educational Building following the banquet at the Barrett Station Community Center.