Hey, folks. We're still hanging in here just trying to stay cool in these crazy hot temperatures. We still have a roof over our heads, our kids and the rest of the family are doing fine, so there are really no major problems to think of. Is everything alright where you are? We sincerely hope so.
The beginning of the week was pretty slow it picked up at the end. The last time we made an entry on our blog, our daughter Ayodele was leaving Savannah with a lot of joy in her heart.
The Prince Hall Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Georgia held their annual session in Savannah from Tuesday June 16th through June 19th. These convocations are convened in a different city each year. So we were lucky that it was in Savannah this year. Jesse attended various sessions Tuesday through Thursday. The official meetings were very impressive. On Thursday the 18th, we both attended the Grand Lodge/Chapter’s Awards Banquet together at the Riverfront Marriot. and it was a good gathering. There was a fairly short program with the Presentation of Colors (can’t forget we’re in military country), some Grand Chapter Choir selections, the whole assemblage singing of the Black National Anthem (you know Jo loved that-as well as the US National Anthem) and some presentations/recognition given to various members. There were masons not only from Georgia, but also St. Thomas, V.I. and Tortola, British V.I. as well as a visiting Mason from Serbia, yeah Serbia as in eastern Europe. The banquet was well organized, with over 1,000 people in attendance. The food was unusually good for banquet food with jazz gospel/spiritual instrumental music playing in the background. Folks down south seem to take such events very seriously. We forgot to bring our camera to the banquet, but we're expecting to get some digital pictures emailed to us from one of the Masonic brothers that we sat with. We'll post the pictures when we get them.
The City of Savannah and Telfair Museum put on a Juneteenth celebration the end of the week. On Friday morning we went on the Rev. Andrew C. Marshall walking tour in the “historic district” which focused on the life and times/tribulations of this rather remarkable man whose life spanned the 18th and 19th centuries and the Black community during that time period.
The First (clandestine) School for African Children
Later that evening, we went to the Second African Baptist Church for a talk on truth and reconciliation by Naomi Tutu which was quite interesting. She suggested that we attempt to have TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commissions) at the local level in this country. Do you think this would ever happen?
Saturday was Juneteenth Family Day outside the Owens-Thomas House, in downtown Savannah which featured the McIntosh County Shouters, African Stilt Walkers and drumming,
a Jumping the Broom ceremony (actually a recommitment ceremony of a couple who have been married 15 years),
There's Dessie
...and Jesse
...and Preacher Jamal and the couple
art and sweet grass basket exhibitions, and children’s art activities. After our morning spent at the Junteenth Festival we went to the Savannah’s 2nd Annual Fiesta Latina on Savannah’s River Walk.
It was extremely hot but we did get to see the parade of flags representing 19 South and Central American Countries and eat a bacalau nacho (forgot what it was called).
All in all it was a good day. We’ll see what the next week brings. Until then, be well and enjoy life.
Jo and Jesse
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