Senate Sketches # 1072
NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years. These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and links to the columns are not typically otherwise available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.
Senate Sketches # 1072
By
Senator Hank Sanders
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As I drove to the rural community of Minter, I wondered how they could have a Christmas Parade. There are no stores, no streets, no chamber of commerce, no organizations except several churches.
Minter, also in Dallas County, is twenty some miles from Selma. I considered participating in the Christmas Parade in previous years, but that never worked out. Now I was on my way but could not help but wonder, “How can they have a Christmas Parade in Minter, Alabama?”
When I reached the Minter community, I was not sure whether I should turn left or right. There are no signs where County Road 85 dead ends into County Road 4. I knew Friendship Baptist Church was to the left. Several women in a big SUV were behind me so I waived them up. “Just turn right,” the driver said. Bubbling with excitement, they headed for the Minter Christmas Parade.
As I neared the staging area, I was surprised by the number of cars and the number of people lining this country road. I wondered how they could do such a parade with almost nothing. Then the answer struck me, “They took what they had and made what they needed.”
I eased down the highway, observing city car tags from Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, etc., and other state tags from Michigan, Georgia, and Florida. It took me some time to get near the end of the parade line because people in cars ahead of me stopped to talk to those on foot.
A woman asked me if I wanted to be in the parade and I said, “Yes.” She handed me a paper with the # 69 on it, signaling that I was the 69th entry in the parade. I paid the $9 and Dallas County Commissioner Curtis Williams pulled his car aside so I could slip in line. I was now ready for the parade.
As I eased down the street, I rolled my windows down. I also let the sun roof back. I was styling in my semi-convertible.
People were so glad to see me and I was equally glad to see them. There was one school group, several volunteer fire departments, many three wheelers, cars, trucks, motorcycles, other vehicles, and one flatbed trailer float with children on it. But spirits were real high.
The parade was set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. but it was almost eleven when it finally started. The sheriff deputies had failed to come to handle traffic. The state troopers had failed to come. The chief organizer became the chief director of traffic. The parade went on because the organizers took what they had and made what they needed.
About eight years ago, Margaret Fails decided to do something. Margaret is the daughter of Deacon Essix Watters, a long time grassroots leader in the Minter area. She had no organization, no money, and not many people. She said, “I want to do something to lift up our community. I want to have a Christmas Parade.” Deacon Watters urged her to go for it. The parade grew each year and five years ago it became the Minter Homecoming Festival as well as the Minter parade.
There were many reasons why a parade should not work in Minter. Margaret, however, found reasons why it would work. She and a small committee of women such as Valerie Reuben made it work. The Minter Christmas Parade is a symbol of what a few determined souls can do when they take what they have and make what they need.
As I eased along, I could hear drums from the small remnants of Southside High School Marching Band leading the parade. The sirens from the fire trucks occasionally overlaid the drums, making everything sound bigger. The hum of a happy parade was everywhere.
The 1500 – 2000 persons gathered were as joyful as any I have seen at a parade. In fact, the joy was deeper. My sense is a special ownership deepened the joy. This was their parade and the spirit of ownership enveloped, intensified, and lifted the moment.
As I drove slowly in the parade, a question was repeatedly voiced by youth: “Senator Sanders, where is your candy?” It never occurred to me to purchase candy. I just came as I was. I did not even have a sign on my car except the white 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper with the #69. I took what I had – my presence and my car – and helped make the parade.
By now, I had the Christmas spirit because of a few in Minter had given so much. I promised to have candy next year. I also promised Margaret Fails that I would encourage the Dallas County Sheriff Department and State Troopers to help as in the past. If they can give so much, I can certainly give this little.
Now on to the Daily Diary.
Saturday I traveled to Minter for the Christmas Parade. I talked with several persons including Margaret Fails and Valerie Reuben, two of the parade organizers, and Dallas County Commissioner Curtis Williams. I returned to Selma to work on various matters.
Sunday – I did Radio Sunday School with Dr. Margaret Hardy, Radio Education with Perry County School Superintendent John Heard, and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School before traveling to White Hall for the funeral of Annie Bell Jackson, a quite but special leader. I talked with various leaders including White Hall Mayor John Jackson, brother of the deceased. I returned to Selma to share Sunday Dinner with Dallas County School Superintendent Dr. Fannie McKenzie and her husband Bobby. I returned to work and talked with leaders by phone such as Ted Quant of New Orleans, Wayne Vardaman of the Selma Centre for Commerce, and Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS).
Monday – I worked on Sketches and talked with the following: Lester Brown of Greene County; George Harris of Birmingham; Charles Martindale, Chair of the Lowndes County Board of Registrars; and Rev. Gary Crum of Selma. I traveled to Lowndes County for two meetings where I talked to various leaders. I returned to Selma for the Selma Renaissance Commission meeting where I shared with other leaders.
Tuesday – I talked to the following: Dr. Leroy Maxwell; Senator E. B. McClain; Rita Lett of WCCS; Essix Watters of Dallas County; Myeka Bevel of Selma; House Education Budget Chair Representative Richard Lindsey; Sharon Wheeler of the President Pro Tem’s Office; Joyce Bigbee of the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO); and Margaret Bentley of the Black Belt Action Commission (BBAC). I traveled to Montgomery for a meeting with House Speaker Seth Hammett and others. I met with Sharon Calhoun on various matters and returned to Selma to work into the night.
Wednesday – I talked with the following: Senator Myron Penn; Markesha Ricks of the Anniston Star Newspaper; Dorothy Hulett of Lowndes County; Denise Dukes of Montgomery; Margaret Fails of Dallas County; Dr. Verdell Dawson of the Selma City School System; Eddie Hill of the State Department of Education; and J. L. Chestnut, Jr. of Selma. I met many challenges in the course of the day.
Thursday – I traveled to Montgomery, Birmingham, Selma, Hayneville, and back to Selma. I met with Governor Bob Riley and Senator Lowell Barron and shared dinner with Lowndes County School Board members and Superintendent. I talked with various persons including Dr. Carol P. Zippert of the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF); Dr. Daniel Boyd and Yvette Patterson of the Lowndes County Board of Education; and Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem.
Friday – I worked on Sketches and communicated to the following: Senator Zeb Little; Councilman Clemente Brooks of Flomaton; Dr. Paul Hubbert of the Alabama Education Association (AEA):; Godfrey King of WCCS; Assistant State School Superintendent Craig Pouncey; Margaret Bentley of BBAC; Eddie Hill of the State School Superintendent’s Office; Joyce Bigbee of LFO; Jackie Thomas of the Lowndes County Commission; Beverly Davis of the State School Superintendents Office; Michelle McClemmons of the University of Alabama Birmingham; and Darnelle Coley of the State School Superintendents Office. I had lunch with Dr. James Mitchell of WCCS and a meeting with Kappa Alpha Psi leaders Dr. Leroy Maxwell and John Solomon. I also traveled to Montgomery for a meeting and returned to Selma.
EPILOGUE – We can lead through our fears or our hopes. When we lead through our fears, we find reasons not to do something. When we lead through our hopes, we take what we have and make what we need. Margaret Fails and the people of Minter led through their hopes and gifted so many.
Index of Sanders' Senate Sketches
