Ogden celebrates Juneteenth Arts Festival History Center helps descendants of former slaves trace roots By CHERYL BUCHTA Standard-Examiner staff GDEN - While hundreds celebrated Juneteenth under the warm afternoon sun, Martha _ Kennedy went inside the Marshall - White Center to search for her |. grandfather. ‘Dad was born in 1884,” Kennedy told Sam Lower “Mom was 19 years younger. By the time I could get to know Dad, I was 7 or 8 when he died.” Lower, assistant director at the Ogden Family History Center, was one of dozens of volunteers on hand Saturday to help the community celebrate Ogden’s 12th Annual Juneteenth Cultural Arts Festival, commemorating the day slaves in Kennedy’s been at her search for about three years. “We're having fun and it’s going emancipation. unsuccessful, Lower gave her several ideas on tracing her roots. Galveston, Texas, learned of their Like many blacks, Kennedy knows little about her ancestors. Like many whose forbearers came to the United States as slaves, the search has been difficult. But Lower has a new tool that is helping the descendents of former ’ slaves trace their roots. More than 480,000 names of freed slaves can now be found on The Freedman’s Bank Records. The CD-ROM contains personal data from former slaves who applied for bank loans after the Civil War to start new lives. pretty well considering,” she said. Although her Freedman’s search was “It’s a special thing when you find your ancestors because you’re finding you,” Lower said. Searching for roots was an especially appropriate way to mark the day in 1865 when Gen. Gordon Granger, a Union Army officer, reissued Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation after realizing Texas slaves were unaware of their freedom two years after the fact. Thearon Lewis, Saturday’s mistress of ceremonies, challenged the mostly black audience at the Marshall White >» See ROOTS/9C ALAN MURRAY/Standard-Examiner Marshall Thomas Ill, 14, South Ogden, sings “God Bless America” at the 13th annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Ogden Amphitheater Saturday Festival From months after the Emancipation Proclamation had been 1B When Ogden held its first celebration 13 years ago, about 150 residents with the turned out during the entire weekend. Ever since then the festival has grown a bit more help of increased publicity and corporate spon- sorship. This year’s festival organizer Betty Sawyer said she expects some 8,000 people all told through today Sawyer said the celebration has also drawn a more diverse crowd mote and unity has helped among pro- Odgen’s minority communities. “A lot of people think Juneteenth is a black thing,” said Sawyer, the director of the Ogden-based Project Success, a non-profit youth support agency. “Well no, it’s not a black thing. It’s an everybody thing. We’re just highlighting African-Ameri- can culture.” The festival. commemorates June 19, 1865, when Army Gen. Gordan Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and found that black people were still enslaved » 18 per- she made from socks. Webster-Gary said she began making art after suffering from a debilitating aneurysm in 1998. Trying to peddle her products elsewhere in the community has been difficult because of the perception that much of her work is “too African,“ she Said. sold flavored ices that were tributed to the togetherness theme by singing “God Bless signed. The first celebrations to mark the date were known as Jubilee Day and June 19th Day, but that has been short- ened to Juneteenth. Performers this year include bands, rappers, jazz and hip blues hop formers, church choirs and storytellers. Food vendors snatched up under hot temperatures, plus standard fare like hot dogs and burgers and Cajun food. Sawyer said one goal of the festival was to promote economic development with- in the community’s American and communities. other This Africanethnic year’s theme of the festival is “Harambee,” or “Let’s pull together” in Swahili. Along with a smattering of corporate sponsors, booths strung along the Amphitheater’s perimeter included artisans who sold clothes, handmade bead ware and paintings. Vivian Webster-Gary of Clearfield had set up a booth selling paintings and handpainted dolls with clothing Marshall Thomas America“ III con- on the Amphithe- ater’s stage. The 14-year-old South Ogden Junior High School stu- dent had been asked to per- form and is one of dozens of volunteers who give their time to make Juneteenth happen. Thomas had been familiar with the history of the Juneteenth celebrations, but this is the first time he had attended the festival. “It’s about freedom,” he said, when asked what the day meant to him. “It’s about helping people out and get- ting together with all sorts of people and having a good time. It’s celebrating life.” Reporter Nesreen Khas- han can be reached at (801) 532-2104 or nkhashan@standard.net. | ae: ALAN MURRAY/Standard-Examiner A clown ties balloons for waiting children in between performances at the 13th annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Ogden Amphitheater Saturday Juneteenth event continues to oTOW 13th Ogden festival highlights African| American culture Some Wu-Wu dolls sitona By NESREEN KHASHAN table waiting to be purchased at Standard-Examiner Capitol Bureau GDEN - the celebration. The dolls were Sitting on a cool patch of grass that offered reprieve made by Clearfield from scorching heat, Sarah Hill was impressed by how serendipity had brought her a valuable lesson in histo- resident Vivian ry Webster-Gary Hill, a nine-year Ogden resident, hadn’t heard about the city’s annual Juneteenth Festival until her sister told her about it this week. Nor had she known about the history behind Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom in the African-American community Ogden’s 13th annual Juneteenth Festival, held at the Ogden Amphitheater, kicked off Friday night, continued on ALAN MURRAY Standard-Examiner Saturday and will conclude today with a gospel festival. Hill attended Juneteenth for the first time Friday night, and said she had such a good time that she came back the next day “T think it’s awesome out here. I think it’s a gathering that’s necessary for our city,” said Hill, who was accompanied by her sister, husband and toddler daughter » See FESTIVAL/5B Pak tNTO PRY). MATT HOUSTON/Standard-Examiner Thearon Lewis gets into the spirit of the occasion at the Juneteenth celebration Saturday afternoon at the Marshall White Center in Ogden. Roots From 1C park to learn about their history “I hold you responsible for learning your own history,” she said. “Nobody is going to tell you. You have to find out for yourself ”’ But like the original celebration, Saturday’s festival was as much about having a sood time as it was about cel- ebrating history Live performances from jazz, blues, gospels and hiphop bands had the crowd of several hundred swaying, clapping and singing throughout the afternoon. Others took the opportunity to browse through booths, ranging from Weber State University to cell phone vendors, or pick up free health and job information. Even the Salt Lake Orga- nizing Committee was on hand, trying to recruit potential volunteers for the upcoming Olympics. Betty Sawyer said the area is a natural for the celebration because more than half of the state’s black population lives between Layton and Ogden.. “It keeps getting bigger every time.” You can reach reporter Cheryl Buchta at 625-4229 or cbuchta@standard.net. IDAHO PIC WILD CARD POWERBAL HOT LOTTO RIGHT: A men’s choir from New Zion Baptist Church performs for the crowd during the Juneteenth celebration at Weber State University in Ogden on Saturday. BRIAN NICHOLSON Special to the Standard-Examiner tae ABOUT JUNETEENTH: The 24th annual Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival took | place Saturday on the Ogden: campus of Weber.State University at the Stewart Bell Tower Plaza. Juneteenth is the oldest celebration to mark the end of slavery in the United States. This year’s theme, “Created Equal,” was selected to highlight 2013 as the 150th year since Abraham Lincoln signed the. Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and.also.50. years since, Martin Luther King.Jrs.march on Washington, D.C., in 1963. The celebration included performances by artists featuring rhythm and blues, a jam band, jazz and gospel, plus ethnic cuisine, crafts and a health and wellness fair ABOVE: Tonga Labulo from the group Kinetic Blend performs a hip-hop dance for the crowd during the Juneteenth celebration at Weber State University. W&, | LEFT: Miss Black Utah Thelina Smith . greets admirers during the Juneteenth celebration at WSU. Standard | | “—e ATS . UW = \gral IDES More images of the Juneteenth "celebration at Weber State www.standard.net Juneteenth Festival a celebration of black heritage By JENNIFER W. saveunz The Salt Lake Tribune J Je ‘ hen Betty Sawyer, a black physical education teacher, moved from Maryland to Utah in 1975, she really didn’t know what to expect. She was raised in a small town where one in four people was.black. When she got to Salt Lake City, no one looked liked her and it was a week before she even saw another black person. But, she liked the moun- tains and folks seemed nice. “I said if I didn’t like it, I’d just keep on going,” Sawyer joked. “But, I’m still here 30 years later ” She stayed because she started a family. She saw more blacks moving here. And she got involved in her community. Sawyer was one of a handful of people who or- ganized the first Juneteenth Heritage Festival in ja Ogden 16 years ago. ST OF Each year, on June 19, events nationwide cele- brate the ending of slavery It was on that day in ay 1865 blacks in Texas heard the news that slaves were free — 2 % years after the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery, became offiClal. Juneteenth is also a time to highlight the African-American culture and contributions and achievements of blacks in state and U.S. history, said Sawyer. Ogden’s festival this weekend is one of the biggest annual events in Utah’s black community, which is often overlooked by people because of its small size. In Ogden, one in 50 people is black. In Utah, blacks make up only about 1 percent of the state’s estimated population of 2.4 million people, accord- ing to the U.S. census. Blacks many times feel isolated in Utah beSee FESTIVAL, B3 Jim UrnquHART/ The Salt Lake Tribune Betty Sawyer, who serves as director of Project Success in Ogden, is framed Thursday by a poster of Martin Luther King. | toetienatpagai — | Festival celebrates black heritage Continued f from BL | | awarded to two Utah graduates sas Utah students Ale x Blodgett AAV | cause there aren’t AfricanAmerican cultural centers or events, such as plays and art shows, on a weekly or monthly basis, Sawyer said. “When we finally get to come together, it gives people a sense of pride and support . that they’re not here alone,” said Sawyer. _ ; | | es earned : r Summe fr ‘om ity of e: Univers Utah Sati Biosci “DOO! °S WaJust : Ycoun Inivaroi4<, aa ess ting a “leadershi eras wat she said. The event’s attendance has erown from about 400 people during the first festival in 1989 to roughly 8,000 last year “Tt’s like a big family reunion,” said Sawyer, who's lived in Ogden for 27 years. For Shauna Gillespie-Ford, the festival is a chance for her to return to her girlhood town and visit with about 100 family members from around the country The Gillespie and Gregory families are having their reunion this weekend in Ogden, and the annual event landed on the same weekend as the Juneteenth festival. The last time the families met . in Ogden was in 1984, years be\fore the festival was organized. amily members will have free e to hang out at the festival Murday afternoon. ‘This isan addod honic. 99 Scouts mae es, ipates in Boyyocouts,musicand Cé ee a 34} UO gpl ey P Jails eamerg.Salt renmas Lake Tribune JRQUHART/The : ° cies weekend we Betty Sawyer, director of Project Success in Ogden, unloads supplies for ths this - Sawyer in Ogden was one of a handful of people who organized the first Juneteenth Heritagq] “ come together, ut ges ale’ : , .a sense-of ! people pride and support... pore... that UKM they're not here alone.” BETTY SAWYER Juneteenth organizer REA said Gillespie-Ford, who lives in Oakland, Calif. She and others are excited about seeing old friends this weekend. Dovie Goodwin, a 97-year-old retired teacher, moved from Texas to Ogden in 1945, and she’s been volunteering at the festival since it started. For the \ @ What: 16th Annual Juneteenth FFastiyay t @ When: 10 a.m. to : 10 p.m. Saturdi aturdi.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday o Where: Ogden City Amphitheat@5th street nents ee. Washington Boulevard and Gran e Cost: $5. (Children il and under’ @ What to expect: Entertainmen) drummers, church choirs and step performers. Gang booths barbecue ribs, hot links and peat @ For information: Cali 801-394-( past few years, she’s been helping out at the NAACP booth, which includes voter registra- tion, grab bagsfor the kidsand homemade quilts for sale. “You really like to see your own kind,” Goodwin said. “You feel more relaxed — like you be- inca; Ns, including harcSyou fRie , out Ont here, ane oe i? ‘trib.com reece ane €a é nf tiv ] i] ] e it} OER, S 3 t h € ’ Pipe Micron CEO St will honor both sy Appleton 4 Blodgett mnaotbieih : grade point average Bt a 4.0 dan Research the oar itera ticipated beg Sciencein and “ fering Fair § fall, Blodgett £0 to Sandy. School in wil] ean Brigham L stand each other,” Sawyer said. “As we learn to laugh and play together, we can learn to work together toward a better future.” Ultimately, the festival is an event to unite blacks statewide, \ has : a diplom ae, i ee nN of the SAT college en e attende Ntrance exam and School jusin | Flebeh Cierae aia oeOpkKins sip his ear arne Hopkins “ 800 on the Cas Blodgett recent] Sfrogram. aduatee d from WasateSo aa uy / Srgraduat Harvard Universi, She said the event also serves Society n UMaCly and. thet Academic Decathlon Technology § Shales and computer is and African drummers. “S's an opportunity to let our guard down and learn to under- ) | Honor and Brandon Hopkins each will recej€lve a $16,500 schola rship as S¢j part of the MicronMm scie . study Hopkins will study < neering. as a chance to educate the general community about black art, music, dance and food. Folks will be able to enjoy soul food favorites, including fried catfish, collard greens and sweet potato pie, and listen to gospel rappers | nce, technology scholarships - lé Ao Yo ional si "Sure Ss , ae 2. V< ae erga week” inter ing company Peeves month. The 13 stude Shibs mle rado toidaho , V Ir 21n} daho,) 8 scholarColo. from Texas, ; Utah c As ne Sa Pe ae oe 4 0, NS \ and Yo! COVER STORY Standard-Examiner Friday, May 15, 20153 Dance, drums of West Africa come to Ogden Fara Tolno shares his gifts as he hones skills By NANCY VAN VALKENBURG Standard-Examiner staff ara Tolno is coming to Ogden to share the drumming and dance of his West African heritage. “Percussion and dance have been in my life since I was in the womb, because it is traditional norm that was passed down from generations to generations,” said Tolno, 40, born into the Kissdugu tribe, of Guinea. Tolno, on the road, who answered questions by email. “IT grow up around drummers and dancers in my city and it’s part of my culture,” he said. Now based in Colorado, Tolno travels to share his gifts and hone his skills. “It’s my life work, yes, because it is my culture and has given me an opportunity tomeei different people, travel different places, and make the world ...a better place. That’s why I want to pass it down to the next generation in the same way it was passed down to me.” Tolno will teach two classes, one on dancing and one on drumming, on Monday at the Eccles Community Art Center. On May 22, he will offer an African dance and drumming concert, joined by a local dance troupe and by Deja Mitchell, an Eden resident who teaches African drumming and dance and who is a local performer “T met Deja from one of the West African drumming and dance camps called Bantou Camp in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and she is bringing me to do residency in school, workshop and performance in the community,” Tolno Sald. His visits to select schools in the Weber and Ogden school districts, along with his classes and PREVIEW WHAT: Fara Tolno concert WHEN: 7 p.m. May 22 WHERE: Eccles Community Art Center 2580 Jefferson Ave. den Og- TICKETS: $12, 801392-6935. Limited seating. RELATED EVENTS: Dance class, 5:30 p.m. May 18, $15. Drum class (drums available), 7:30 p.m. May 18, $12. Registration: 801- 392-6935. concert, are supported by a Weber County RAMP, by the Eccles Community Art Center and by the Weber Arts Council. Mitchell has brought Tolno in for the past few years. “He’s had a great reception in schools,” Mitchell said. “They get to experience West African culture, and get an understanding of the dance, the music, and how people live. It opens a window for them. If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience anything from another part of the world you have no connection. This helps them gain a personal connection.” And connections build empathy “We live in a world village, and sometimes we don’t have the experience of understanding each other,” Mitchell said. “Something like this can help us feel more connected to others in the world as well as to people in our country from different backgrounds.” The public concert will be a showcase for drumming and dance, Tolno said. “The Guinean style of dance or drumming have many different feelings, emotions and meanings to it,” he said. “Energetic, of course, joyful, excitement, exercises, happi ness, spiritual. ” His artistic journey has ce West Africa native Fara Tolno will teach drumming and dance classes, and perform a concert at the Eccles Community Art Center changed him, Tolno said. “As I grow to love my art, [love .. how the drumming and dancing don’t have a border, race, or color line,” he said. Tolno has used his art and visibility to help support people back home, Mitchell said. “Fara has his own foundation for work he does in Africa,” she said. “He is helping get clean water to people, and he is establishing a school. It’s important for him to give back to the youth of that culture, and help them preserve their art and knowledge.” Mitchell recommends both the classes and the concert. Space is limited for both, she said. “Fara’s energy is through the roof, and he is a sought-after artist,” she said. “He is very skilled at communicating across all ages and skill levels.” Tolno likes to see people enjoy his classes. “Everybody is welcome to participate when they open See TOLNA, Paae 4 Yo! COVER STORY 4 Friday, May 15, 2015 Happy 96th birthday, Standard-Examiner Joe McQueen Jazz musician celebrates with PREVIEW concert tonight By WHAT: Joe McQueen birthday dinner and dancing show WHEN: 7 p.m. tonight WHERE: Funk’n’ Dive, 2550 Washington Bivd., basement, Ogden ADMISSION: $5/cover; RAYCHEL JOHNSON Standard-Examiner staff egendary tenor-saxophone player Joe McQueen, feeling as young as he ever was, is turning 96years-old, and will celebrate his birthday witha special dinner show at Funk ‘n’ Dive tonight. McQueen’s quartet what includes organist Ryan Conger, drummer Don Keipp and Brad Wright on guitar, will help ring in the occasion with a three-hour music set that will include tunes off McQueen’s latest record, “The Legendary Joe McQueen Quartet.” Keipp has performed with McQueen for nearly 25 years. He said the quartet rarely prepares a setlist for concerts, and always follows McQueen’s lead. “He’ll take suggestions, but Joe plays what he wants to play, he’s still the leader. He knows so many songs and now the band knows so many songs,” Keipp said. “I’ve played with Joe close to 25 years, but the other two have rehearsed with him and caught up on what songs he knows So we’ve got a wide variety of tunes that we can do that are in our repertoire.” The dinner show will start promptly at 7 p.m., with music starting immediately after Funk ‘n’ Dive owner Dave Morris said af ter the successful dinner show the venue had for Joe McQueen Day held April 18, he wanted to follow the $15/dinner: open to every- SEE VIDEO [05 ONLINE www.standard.net Scott Jones photos Legendary saxophone player Joe McQueen plays with his quartet at Funk n’ Dive in Ogden. The tenor-saxophone player will celebrate his 96th birthday with a dinner show tonight. SEE PHOTOS “OF ONLINE www.standard.net same formula for the musician's birthday show There is a $5 cover at the door, with an optional dinner priced at $15. Patrons will be served a three course meal witha salad, a choice of chicken or fish, followed by desSEre: “Everybody loved it,” Morris said of last month’s dinner engagement that starred McQueen. “Basically the idea went so well for Joe McQueen Day that Tolna From 3 their mind and heart to it,” he said. “I also like how you can make music in we wanted to do the same thing for his birthday celebration. The bar was packed with people.” Morris said Funk ‘n’ Dive is a fitting venue to host McQueen’s 96th birthday show because of the history he has with the building, and the previous bar that was housed there, The Wine Cellar “The space has been so many different bars and it has a really cool underground vibe, and we didn’t two minutes with drumming without being a musician and how you can dance without being a dancer, it is good for everybody It also changes peoples’ lives and gives them joy when their body moves in different ways.” want to take that away We wanted to keep all the old history this place saw” he said. “He’s as old as these walls! He’s performed in this building all those years it was the Wine Cellar, and we’re happy to have him at Funk ‘n’ Dive. Ninety-six years and he does it all himself, still drives himself to the venue and everything.” Keipp agreed and said people loved to come Funk ‘n’ Dive last month to enjoy a meal with McQueen. “The Funk ‘n’ Dive has a broad clientele,” he added. He hopes his concert will touch people. “IT think the audience will get all the different range of emotion,” he said. “This is what West African drumming and dancing does to people from all color and back- “It caters to the younger crowd with some of the bands, and also brings in some of the other, older generation, my generation.” One song Keipp said the quartet is guaranteed to play is “The Thing,” a McQueen original that was recorded for the first time last year In honor of McQueen’s birthday, an LP of “The Legendary Joe McQueen Quartet” is on sale in the band’s online store for $19 19, the year he was born. The band’s web store is also selling CDs and shirts for $9.60. Dancing at the show is encouraged, as well as making table reservations because seating is limited. Call 801-621-3483 to make a reservation. “T love playing with Joe, and I look forward to every gig,” Keipp said. “It’s a lesson every time.” Contact reporter Raychel Johnson at 801625-4279 or rajohnson@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter @raychelNEWS. ground.” Contact reporter Nancy Van Valkenburg at 801-625-4275 or nvan@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @SE_NancyVanvV, on Facebook at facebook.com/ SE _NancyVanV ROBERT JOHNSOW/ Standard-Examiner Amphitheater Saturday. The Faith Temple Pencostal Church choir sing during the Juneteenth Cultural Arts Festival at the Ogden Below, Stephan Durand cooks on the barbeque for Mountain View Cafe. The joy of Ogden celebrates a freedom Abraham Lincoln brought to pass BY JORDAN MUHLESTEIN Standard-Examiner staff jmuhlestein@standard.net GDEN — A party 140 years in the making is happening today and everyone is invited. The Ogden Juneteenth Heritage Festival, a celebration of the day the last black slaves were freed in the United States, runs from 1-7 p.m. at the Ogden Amphitheater. Betty Sawyer, who has been director of the festival since it began 15 years ago, said Juneteenth is about celebrating African American heritage and sharing food and entertainment. Today’s festival will include gospel choirs, step teams and national gospel artist Keith Wonderboy Johnson, she said. The festival began Friday, went all day Saturday and finishes today. Juneteenth began June 19, 1865, when the slaves in Texas finally got the word about Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, more than 30 months after the fact. Federal troops arrived at Galveston, Texas that day and Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger announced the freedom of the slaves. Celebrations started immediately, and have now grown to cover the planet. According to www.juneteenth.com, this year’s celebrations spread from Taiwan to Kuwait and Ghana, and from Israel to Ogden. There are also celebrations all over the United States. In 1997, U.S. senators passed a resolution recognizing June 19 nationwide as Juneteenth Independence Day. It is also an official state holiday in 14 states, including Texas, Idaho, See JOY/7B Standard“Examiner Top of Utah s Joy From used the lawn Center,” she said. a picnic 1B Florida and Alaska. Sawyer said she has been working with Utah legisla- tors, including Neil Hansen (D-Ogden), to get Juneteenth officially State. “We Marshall recognized in the She is also on the National Juneteenth Service Foundation board of directors. Sawyer planned the original Ogden festival because the Juneteenth celebration in Salt Lake City was canceled that year. White and at the Community used a “We had flatbed truck for a stage.” That year, about 200 people showed up, she said. This year, she expects about 12,000 people over the course of the three-day event. Sawyer said she enjoys seeing the growth of the festival, and said she had never heard of Juneteenth until she moved to Utah from her native Ogden Maryland. Since the celebration began, grown across however, Juneteenth well. “IT used to teenth in Los seas the country has as go the JuneAngeles, and it was pretty big,” said Robert Pierce III, who recently Sunday, June 19, 2005 He and for us.” Bluford also said it is a chance for the black community to showcase its talents, crafts and food. Booths ring the amphitheater offering African crafts and clothes and ethnic and soul foods. Sawyer said she enjoys the festival partly because it in a bright orange “Afro-centric style” robe Saturday, said Sharing culture is another moved to Ogden from Long Beach, Calif. “This right here is an important festival for black culture awareness.” Pierce said he enjoys the entertainers and hopes to be one of them next year. said he and some friends sing and rap. brings people together, she’s not the only one. and “It 1s a monumental day and it’s a chance to get together and socialize,” said David Bluford, of North Ogden, during Saturday’s festivities. “This is like Indepen- dence Day for our ancestors Sawyer, who was dressed high point of the festival. “Juneteenth is one of the symbols of a national movement,” she said. “Slavery and what we refer to as the ‘Black Holocaust’ was a dark time in history. Diem | 7B “We want people to know that we’re still here and striving forward.” oe Men , 7 " s a OQ. Ogden group gets, r wanzaa SNA BOW SC iat oes Seal SOR apr Wa See probe oi gacee ue _. MELANIE CONNER/Standard-Examiner PREPARING FOR PARTY: Sixteen-year-old Jahmaal Sawyer helps decorate a room in the Marshall White Community Center in Ogden for Kwanzaa; a holiday honoring the heritage of African-Americans. 8 Local event will celebrate ‘By CHERYL BUCHTA black population. Standard-Examiner staff GDEN - As the commercial hubbub of Christ- mas fades, a smail seg- Ogden’s NAACP president Betty Sawyer said Kwanzaa provides an opportunity to touch base with her roots. . ment of the Top of Utah’s population prepares to celebrate a different sort of holiday. “The reality is Africa was the beginning of it all,” she said. ’ Be doesn't revolve around _ Te. , ; . gion EoeirC revolve area reli. will join other African-Americans in Ogden fron: 3 to 5 p.m. at the Marshall White Center, ; Rather it celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the nation’s Today, she and her family 222 28th St., to celebrate the » See KWANZAA/5A : COLORFUL DISPLAYS: Decorations honoring Kwanzaa adorn the Marshall bite Community Center. Andre Dyson py, (Fie > School: Clearfield > Year: Senior > Positions: Running back, defensive back > Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 170 pounds > By the numbers: A two-year starter for the Falcons, Dyson rushed 47 times for 531 yards and six touchdowns and caught six passes for 124 yards despite missing the first three games of the season. On defense, he accounted for 19 tackles and three interceptions for the 7-3 Falcons. >» Coach Randy Johnson’s comments: Andre has great athleticism, lots of talent, and contributed in a lot of ways for us. He helped us on both sides of the ball. On offense, he made us that more potent. As a returner, he provided a threat to score, and that’s something you can’t teach. “He was hurtin the summer, a i. > but when he came back he took some hits and laid some shot on defense and looked OK. He was a natural at free safety, and played cornerback as needed. He’s as good acloser on the receiver as I’ve ever had on the team. “Andre is in control of his body and has a good feel for the game. He’s already to committed to join his brother (Kevin) at the University of Utah.” |