Our Hometown
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People marched from the Wayne County Courthouse to the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, at the corner of Spencer and Holly Streets. The featured speaker was Kathy Castania of Cornell Cooperative Extension. She is a former teacher at Sodus with 30 years of experience in Civil Rights and diversity training. She is a long-time member of Wayne Action for Racial Equality (WARE). WARE sponsors the King Day celebration each January, alternating the march and services between Lyons and Sodus. Speaking on behalf of Literacy Volunteers was Kirk Baker who recruits and trains students and tutors. He reminded the gathering that illiteracy was used for years as an excuse to deny African-Americans the right to vote.
Lyons Mayor John Salone greeted those in attendance and lamented the fact that no village board members nor town board members made time to attend the King celebration. The Agape Chorus performed, directed by Janice Comer and Cory Comer. The singers are Mariah Hampton, Trevis Greene and Reneika Pettyjohn from Kelley School; Kierra Pettyjohn, Khalil Foster, Britnie Coleman and Samantha Luyondo of Perkins School; and Mary Greene and Raechelle Green of Lincoln School. Several high school students from Lyons, Newark and Sodus read essays or poems, and three sang solos. Tristan Hickson of Lyons is pictured, and his essay will be printed in Friday's print edition. The family of Earl and Kalonda Greene sang; Kalonda is pictured.
Planners for this event included John Joyce, the Rev. Vera Alford, the Rev. King Lewis, Janice Comer, Kalonda Greene, Maryanne Whyte and Kay Pinkney. The 2002 celebration will be held in Sodus. To help plan the next celebration, call 946.4482.
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2001 |
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Lyons service honors Martin Luther King, Jr. 
The Rev. Frank Comer spoke about local problems, including families who complain about how police treat their Black children. Comer also wondered why none of those who complain were in the congregation. He pleaded with people to re-start the inactive chapter of the NAACP. 
A dinner for the public followed the service at the Lyons First Presbyterian Church. Pastor Cynthia Huling Hummel said about 100 people enjoyed the late-afternoon repast.