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Lifelong Health
THOMASVILLE
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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CELEBRATION OF A DREAM Health fair provides free tests to honor King
Oratorical contest focuses on future
BY KARISSA MINN
BY KARISSA MINN
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
This Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, local residents were invited to celebrate King’s vision of equality by getting their health checked for free. The MLK Social Action Committee (MLK-SAC) co-sponsored a health fair at Thomasville Medical Center on Monday. Available screenings included tests for cholesterol, blood sugar, PSA blood levels and blood pressure. Visitors also could have their height and weight taken to calculate their body mass index, have their vision checked and receive an H1N1 influenza vaccine. George Jackson, chairman of the MLK-SAC, said that the health fair helps bring King’s dream to the community in a practical way. “It’s truly what Dr. King wanted — not parades, banquets or festivals,” Jackson said. “He wanted to see poor people, disadvantaged people and underprivileged people have the opportunities that every other American has. A checkup once a year, that should be a right that every American has, without having to worry about if they can pay for it.” Jackson said he always looks forward to the fair. He sets health goals for himself each year and gauges his progress based on the screenings.
Eight high school students shared speeches about America’s future Saturday during the keynote event of a nine-day celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. The MLK Social Action Committee (MLK-SAC) held its Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Dinner and tenth annual Oratorical Contest at Rich Fork Baptist Church. The participants reflected on how America can move forward from this point in history. Some spoke about the effects of the nation’s economy on equality, while others focused on international conflict and injustice. Danielle Dow, a junior at Thomasville High School, won first place in the contest with an oration called “America at the Crossroads: Where Do We Go From Here?” She was awarded the Dr. W. E. Banks Memorial Scholarship for $2,000. “Today, America is at a crossroad, and I myself am at a personal crossroad,” Dow said in her speech. “On the road to my left are such things as teen pregnancy, drug addiction and bad health care, but on the road to my right is nothing but success and prosperity. It is possible. On that road, I see people like Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Barack Obama and Martin Luther King.”
Above, Thomasville capped off a week long celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday by hosting a march throughout city streets, in which participants sang songs in remembrance and honor of Dr. King. At left, a woman has her cholesterol checked at the health fair held at Thomasville Medical Center on Monday. Below, the top three finishers in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest pose after the event. (L-R) Third place winner Kiera Whitaker, first place winner Danielle Dow and second place winner Shakillia Bobo. TIMES PHOTOS/KARISSA MINN
See FAIR, Page 3
See FUTURE, Page 3
Oldest county resident turning 104 BY ELIOT DUKE Staff Writer DENTON — The year was 1906. An average American made 22 cents an hour, only eight percent of all homes had a telephone and the Eiffel Tower marked the tallest building in the world. America had just 45 states and luxuries such as crossword puzzles, ice tea and canned beer were not yet invented. A steam ship called the Titanic was nowhere near water and phrases including World War were not part of American vocabulary. On Jan. 19, 1906, Jessie Owen was born, and today she will be celebrating her 104th birthday at Mountain Vista Health Park in Denton as the oldest living person in Davidson County. “We had a big birthday cake for her last year,” said Charlotte Owens, Jessie’s only daughter. “We hope to do the same this year.” Deteriorating health and the passage of time have
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taken a toll on Jessie, who now struggles to speak and is confined to a wheelchair. Being more than a century old hasn’t affected Jessie’s sense of humor. “You’re going to need a new camera,” said Jessie after having picture taken. Davidson County has been Jessie’s home for all 104 years. After growing up near Southmont, Jessie moved around the county a few times, but never too far from her beginnings. Charlotte never remembers her mother having a regular job, instead spending her time gardening and making quilts around the house. “She has been a good mama,” Charlotte said. “She liked working with her hands outside. She was always into something.” Jessie’s mother died when she only three months old, leaving her father to raise his infant daughter alone. Jessie grew up, living through two world wars, the Great Depression and the rise of Elvis Presley
See TURNING, Page 3
TIMES PHOTO/ELIOT DUKE
Jessie Owen is pictured with her daughter Charlotte at the Mountain Vista Health Park in Denton.
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