"Praise, Reach & Teach: The Legacy of Joseph & Wealthy Crooms" opened  at the Sanford Museum.  The exhibit is groundbreaking for me in many ways.  The exhibit celebrates something that I am very passionate about, education and educators.  "Praise, Reach * Teach.." serves to unite the Sanford community through  the truth of its history.  I say this because we had the most diverse audience ever at our last meeting.  Everyone expressed to me how happy they were to be there and how much they appreciated the way the Sanford Historical Society membership is attracting more people of color and what a joy it is to explore our shared history. For many years now the Museum, the Historical Society and its members have worked to achieve this.  They have supported persons, like me, who are interested in exploring their history.  I am so happy to be a part of that effort.   It really is wonderful and I am looking forward to watching Sanford mature and develop in a way that is exemplary.  I feel that Sanford has all of the right people in place to insure that the future for our community is bright.   Please pray for our city officials and  city staff, and our Sanford residents.   

The 'Prasie, Reach & Teach..." exhibit sends a positive message that is beneficial to those who embrace it, and the exhibit  has encouraged me to reach out beyond the creation of an exhibit and to encourage people to come and see it.  Please be encouraged!  In the past I have been so involved with the research and development phase of  my exhibits that  I have not been involved as I should have been with encouraging people to see it.  Many friends ask me, "Why didn't  you tell me about it?"   Not so with this exhibit...  I have uploaded my first uptube video, which was the opening program for the exhibit and the Orlando Times has featured the exhibit on its front page, (Thank you Orlando Times).   I am telling everyone I come in contact with and I am encouraged to begin to write on my blog.   So lets see how long this last.   I am going to try to write something at least once a week.   It will be my way of journaling.  Maybe one day my grandchildren will read it...hopefully they will care.   By the way,  we are about to have our third grandchild...  we just returned from HER babyshower.    We were also blessed  to spend the weekend with our two lovely grandchildren and able to let them know that they will always be special to us.   Our  granddaughter Anika has just been excepted into the special  Sports Med program at her High School.  She wants to be a doctor.  I  am so proud of her.  

Let me close by expressing how grateful I am to Sally Richmond , a descendent of Joseph and Wealthy Crooms and her family,  for trusting me to tell their  most fascinating story and to the Sanford Museum, Goldsboro Museum and the Crooms Alumni Association for making this story one that will continue to be celebrated.   

Together we make the difference.

Artwork by Francine Levy       Graphic work by EYESEEIMAGES

Francis Oliver (left) and Valada Flewellyn pose after the official planting of the Valencia Orange tree in honor of Viva Florida, the 500 year celebration of Ponce de Leon's arrival on the the Florida east coast.  It was given the name La Florida which translates to "Land Of Flowers".     Happy Birthday Dear Florida!!!

Francis Oliver is the curator and founder of the Goldsboro Museum on 13th Street in Sanford, Florida.  Goldsboro is the second oldest incorporated African American town in Florida.  

Valada is the newly elected president of the Sanford Historical Society.  These photos by EYESEEIMAGES were taken on the lawn of the Sanford Museum.    Please join the Sanford Historical Society, which supports the Sanford  Museum.                                      VIVA LaFlorida!!!

sanfordhistory.tripod.com
www.vivaFlorida.org