Borough Of Fanwood: JOIN THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION!

Press release from the Borough of Fanwood :

June 15th, 2021

Social Justice Matters, Inc (SJM), in partnership with the townships of Scotch Plains and Fanwood, and with sponsorship from PSEG and other community enterprises, is proud to invite you to our 2021 Juneteenth celebration, “Roots and Wings: The Art and Tradition of Storytelling and the Black Experience.”

The significance of our 2021 Theme: The tradition of storytelling in the African communities can be traced through many generations. Not only was it a form of communication, but it was also a way to share one’s history, culture, and experiences. The art of storytelling comes from the way the “griot” or storyteller was able to breathe life into the stories through their use of poetry and song; their ability to paint pictures of struggle and triumph with their words into the minds of eager listeners. The Juneteenth 2021 Theme celebrates the importance of telling one’s own story. With “Roots” we are grounded because from the stories we know where we have come from, and with “Wings” we can fly because we have hope and direction to lead us into the future.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE.

Location: Shady Rest at Scotch Hills Country Club in Scotch Plains, 820 Jerusalem Road, Scotch Plains, and Jerseyland Park. 2373 Richmond Street, Scotch Plains, and one virtual program. There will be streaming video of selected programs on local channels if rain or COVID restrictions require.

The significance of the place: Shady Rest was the nation’s first Black-owned country club, home to John Shippen, the first American-born golf pro. In the 1920s and 30s, it hosted the luminaries of the entertainment and sports worlds. It is now owned by the Township of Scotch Plains. 2021 is the centenary of the club’s establishment as a Black-owned entity.

The significance of the date: Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It commemorates the day in 1865 that Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This will be the first year that Juneteenth will be celebrated as a State holiday in NJ. (as the third Friday in June).

Register for the Virtual Oral History Workshop, “Creating Oral Histories: Learn How to Create Recordings that Preserve Memories, Stories, and Voices,” 1-2:30 pm, by clicking here. This virtual workshop given by Melinda Alan-Grote of A Remembered Voice is hosted by SJM’s “The History of Kramer Manor, a Twentieth-Century Black Community,” a history program made possible in part by a 2021 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners and additional funding from Social Justice Matters.

See below for an overview of the live Shady Rest and Jerseyland Park events and performances. Registration for each event is required unless otherwise stated.

At Jerseyland Park:

• 2:30 PM – Story Stroll opens at Jerseyland Park, 2373 Richmond Street, Scotch Plains, The book on display will be All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom, by Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis. Courtesy of the Scotch Plains Public Library.
• 2:45 PM – Author Robert Constant (Hey Tuskegee!, Hello Grandma!) will read from one of his books. Children are invited to bring their own copies for the author to sign.

At Shady Rest:

• 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Mini golf. Admittance to registered groups of up to 5 players at 10-minute intervals. Courtesy of the Township of Scotch Plains.
• 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Putting instruction for children ages 5-18, given by the members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and SJM. A great optional experience to have before playing mini-golf, although children do not have to sign up for mini golf to have putting instruction.
• 3:00 – 5:00 PM Karate demonstrations by students of the Goshu-Kwan Studio. No registration.
• 3:00 – 4:00 PM – Shady Rest Tour 1. Courtesy of the Preserve Shady Rest Committee and the Township of Scotch Plains.
• 4:00 – 5:00 PM – Shady Rest Tour 2. Courtesy of the Preserve Shady Rest Committee and the Township of Scotch Plains.
• 4:30 – 5:00 PM – Dedication Ceremony
• 5:00 – 10:30 PM – Entertainment
  • Register for any segment between 5-10:30 PM with a single Evening Entertainment Registration
• 5:00 – 5:30 PM – Dream House Theater presents a one-act play
• 5:40 – 5:55 PM – Emerson Theater Group Performance I
• 6:00 – 6:30 PM – Poetry & Flow Experience – Rayman Royal Productions
• 6:40 – 6:55 PM – Emerson Theater Group Performance II
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Music by Amani
• 8:30 PM – 10:35 PM – Movie: Harriet (PG-13) Courtesy of the Township of Scotch Plains

RSVP to: secretary@socialjusticematters.org and please let us know if you will be present at the 4:30 PM Dedication Ceremony so you can be acknowledged.

Keep current at SPFJuneteenth.com and on the SJM website.

We encourage you to share this invitation with others. All are welcome!

Cordially,
The SJM Juneteenth Committee

• 2:30 PM – Story Stroll opens at Jerseyland Park, 2373 Richmond Street, Scotch Plains, The book on display will be All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom, by Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis. Courtesy of the Scotch Plains Public Library.
• 2:45 PM – Author Robert Constant (Hey Tuskegee!, Hello Grandma!) will read from one of his books. Children are invited to bring their own copies for the author to sign.

• 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Mini golf. Admittance to registered groups of up to 5 players at 10-minute intervals. Courtesy of the Township of Scotch Plains.
• 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Putting instruction for children ages 5-18, given by the members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and SJM. A great optional experience to have before playing mini-golf, although children do not have to sign up for mini golf to have putting instruction.
• 3:00 – 5:00 PM Karate demonstrations by students of the Goshu-Kwan Studio. No registration.
• 3:00 – 4:00 PM – Shady Rest Tour 1. Courtesy of the Preserve Shady Rest Committee and the Township of Scotch Plains.
• 4:00 – 5:00 PM – Shady Rest Tour 2. Courtesy of the Preserve Shady Rest Committee and the Township of Scotch Plains.
• 4:30 – 5:00 PM – Dedication Ceremony
• 5:00 – 10:30 PM – Entertainment
  • Register for any segment between 5-10:30 PM with a single Evening Entertainment Registration
• 5:00 – 5:30 PM – Dream House Theater presents a one-act play
• 5:40 – 5:55 PM – Emerson Theater Group Performance I
• 6:00 – 6:30 PM – Poetry & Flow Experience – Rayman Royal Productions
• 6:40 – 6:55 PM – Emerson Theater Group Performance II
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Music by Amani
• 8:30 PM – 10:35 PM – Movie: Harriet (PG-13) Courtesy of the Township of Scotch Plains

This press release was produced by the Borough of Fanwood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.