TCEC Sept 2009

THETIMESTUTWILER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER September 2009

N E W S L E T T E R

DDeeaarr FFrriieennddss,

301 Hancock Street • P.O. Box 448 • Tutwiler, Mississipi 38963 • Ph 662.345.8393 • Fax 662.345.2222 • Email [email protected]

Greetings from Tutwiler! As I am writing this we are finishing up our summer programs, giving awards, prizes and doing evaluations. The children and teens go back to school August 10.

As always during the summer we tried to provide a place for our children to come and participate in enriching experiences and activities. This year we were fortunate to have several special activities and events that benefited our folks.

Early in June, Coahoma Community College (about 25 miles away) had two events that our people attended. The first was a play about domestic violence that our teens attended called BACKSLAP. It was very well done and gave us much to talk about in the following weeks. A second event attended by parents and senior citizens was a Gospel singing group called the BLIND BOYS of ALABAMA. They were very inspirational and gave a memorable performance.

At the Center during June and July, besides our regular activities, we were able to provide :1) a week of tennis with Brother James Jackson from Clarksdale2) art instruction one day a week with Mr. Joey Young, an art teacher also from Clarksdale3) a motivational talk to our teenagers by

Mr. Brian Miles, a fitness trainer andowner of Foreverfit Fitness Centers inMemphis (90 miles away)

4) two presentaions about HIP HOPMUSIC, one for our parents and one forour teens by Mr. Marc Fomby, founder ofFTC Prevention Services, from Jackson,MS (150 miles away).

On top of all these extra activities, we declared ourselves a PEACE ZONE! Asone ten year old said, “This summer hasbeen the most funnest time ever...!” Keepturning the pages of this newsletter to findout more and see your donations at work. Together we are making a difference!

Peace and many blessings,

Sr. Maureen Delaney, SNJM, Ex. DirectorTutwiler Community Ed. Center

Teens listen intensely as Mr. Milesdemonstrates a point.

Mrs. Spurlock (R) works with the children on a game in the Peace Room

Look at our new t-shirts. We ARE PEACEMAKERS!

TUTWILER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORSLinda Lee, ChairpersonJeannette Roach, SecretarySr. Cora Lee Middleton SSND, TreasurerGeorge ButlerPatricia GrantHoward HollinsJoann HoskinsJohnnie JonesSylvester KirkFredna PearsonJane Webb

CENTER STAFFFULL TIMESr. Maureen Delaney SNJM, Executive. DirectorLucinda Berryhill, Administrative AssistantMary Ann Willis, Assistant to the DirectorMary Ann Meeks, Assistant to the Director

PART TIMEAngela Allen, P.E. TeacherGenether Miller Spurlock, Education Co-ordinatorSr. Joann Blomme, O.P., Quilt ProgramGloria Young, MaintenanceAllie Lewis, MaintenancePeggy Young, Children¹s ProgramsSr. Marilyn Pierson O.P., Senior Citizen Bible Study

5 Part time Coaches7 Teen Helpers

MISSION STATEMENTThe TUTWILER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER,a body of local community people of all races, occupations and ages, is dedicated to the growth and development of the community of Tutwiler andsurrounding areas by developing programs and eventsin response to the ideals, dreams and ideas of themembers of the community so that each person maybe filled with pride and hope for themselves and fortheir community.

2 The Times | September 2009

Always trying to find new ways of helping the childrenand teens to deal with their anger and solve problems in a non-violent manner, Sr. Maureen learned about a program called WELCOME TO THE PEACE ZONE byJayne Milak-Dempsey. Our education Co-ordinator, Mrs. Genether Spurlock, studied the program, did aninservice for the staff and began teaching the 7 to 12year old children who came to the Summer Program.She later presented it to the teenagers and the adultswho come to the gym.The PEACE ZONE PROGRAM teaches the children

to increase the levels of calm, peace and fulfillment in their lives while diminishing the level of negativeemotions. The lessons include character development, so that positive behavior wouldbecome contagious, emanating into the community and eventually have the potential to create positive energies thatcould alter repetitive patterns of violence in the community. Our children practicethe peace zone exercise each day before starting their activities. They “breathe inpeace and breathe out anger, breathe in joyand breathe out sadness, breathe in calmand breathe out chaos...” We really believe it makes a difference and we willcontinue to work on this when we start up again in September. Mrs. Spurlock had the children write poems about the Peace Program. Kwamain seemed to understand what it is all about!

PEACEPositive energyExpressions like on your faceActions that are goodCompassion for each otherEnjoyment for all!

By Kwamain Martinell, age 10

The Peace Zone activities did not stop with the children’s Summer Program. It has been presented to the teens and adults who play basketball in the gym. Each participant is sporting a Peace t-shirt that states: “TCEC is a Peace Zone....We are Peace Makers”. We hope this message will register in everymind and contribute to making Tutwiler and surrounding areas a more peaceful place for all.

TTCCEECC DDeeccllaarreedd aa PPEEAACCEE ZZOONNEE

Each day we did the Peace Exercise. Then we brought down peace, joy, calm, love and we were ready to start the program!

Eriona age 10 reads her peace poem.

The Times | September 2009 3

The town of Tutwiler held an election for mayor and board of alderman on June 2, 2009. It was a hotly contested election with 4 people running for mayor and two or three people in each of the 5 wards running for board of alderman.

Sister Maureen with TCEC staff and local people formed a Candidates Night Committee and put on two candidate’s nightsin preparation for the Tutwiler town election. The Committee put together the agenda, asked Mr. Howard Hollins, the superintendent of the West Tallahatchie School district and a member of the TCEC Board, to chair the evening. Each candidate was given limited time to present him or herselfand tell why people should vote for them. Mr. Hollins then asked each candidate questions that the committeehad drawn up about specific town concerns. Followingthis there were questions from the floor. At the end of the evening, cookies and punch were served and people stayed around to talk to the candidates and ask furtherquestions. All candidates showed up and participated.

Lucinda Berryhill, on the staff of TCEC, was the chairperson of the Town Election Committee responsiblefor putting on the election. She with 3 others went to Jackson, MS to be trained and found out all State requirements. She worked closely with the County Election Committee and the Secretary of State’s office to makesure all was done properly. Her duties also included recruitingthe poll workers, setting up their training, being present all day at the polling place, certifying the election and communicatingwith the newspaper. She did an excellent job and the electionwent really well. We might add the polling place for Tutwiler is the Tutwiler Community Education Center!

We are happy to say that a person who has been connected to the Tutwiler Clinic and the Tutwiler Community Education Center for the past 20 years is now the Mayor ofTutwiler, Mrs. Genether Miller Spurlock. She was on theTutwiler Clinic Board for three years and was on the TCECBoard from the very beginning. She retired from the WestTallahatchie School District about 4 years ago and nowworks for TCEC as the Education Co-ordinator. We con-gratulate her and all pledge to work hard to help her out.

The five new alderman (four men and one woman) onthe Tutwiler Town Council all show good leadership andan interest in helping our town grow and develop. A newday for Tutwiler! Mr. Hollins (far left) asks questions of the candidates

Genether Miller Spurlock tells us why she wants to be theMayor of Tutwiler and why we should vote for her.

EElleeccttiioonn IInn TTuuttwwiilleerr

Questions from the floor.

Mayor Spurlock, in center, with members of the Tutwiler Board of Alderman to her right are sworn into office

in a joint ceremony with the Mayor and Board of Alderman from Webb, MS

We observe Earth Day sprucing up the park.

Holy Names University students work along with ourteens to build flower boxes in Railroad Park.

Sister Susan helps Kadeem, teen helper, repair park benches.


What Can I Do For My Town?

As a way of helping to beautify the town, the 10, 11, and 12 year old children decided to work on downtown Railroad Park in Tutwiler. The project started last summer but proved to be too big to be completed in one summer plus the weather did not cooperate.

This spring we had visitors from the Holy Names University (HNU) from Oakland, CA. They came towork on the Habitat houses, but they wanted to doother things too. We told them about our Railroad Park Project and they said they would love to help. We constructed flower boxes, painted the concretequilt pad, built and painted benches. The Holy Names students and our children worked hand in hand underthe supervision of Sr. Susan Wells SNJM, from HNU,Mrs. Mary Ann Willis and Mrs. Genether Spurlock fromthe Center staff. They produced a product that thewhole community is proud of.

On Earth Day, after a discussion on what we need todo to save our earth, we revisited the park, weeded andcleaned it. This gave children hands on experience ofcleaning up and also helped to build pride in our community. Skyla, age 10, commented, “We fixed itup, now we don’t want anybody messing it.” The parkis beautiful, now we need to develop a plan to maintainwhat the children have started.

The quilt pad gets a fresh coat of paint.

TToowwnn PPrroojjeecctt aanndd EEaarrtthh DDaayy

Robert Gill, teen helper, Holy Namesstudent, and Kadeem Sutton share

a light moment as they secure the flower box.

The clean-up crew, proud of their work.

SSuummmmeerr PPrrooggrraamm IN THE WORDS OF THE CHILDREN


We asked the children what they liked about the summer program.Here are some of their responses:

Hi Friends, We had a lot of fun this year. What I

liked best was basketball. I had a lot of funwith my friends. We went swimming and fieldtrips. You should come next year because youwill learn something and it is fun.

Tyler age 9

Dear Friends, I had lots of fun this year at the Community

Center. We play games, we go swimming and cooklots of stuff in the kitchen. I have learned aboutpositive and negative energy. We want positive en-ergy. I am coming all the time.

Kwanain age 10

Dear Mrs. Spurlock,My summer was fun. I liked talking about the Peace

Zone and doing the Peace Zone Exercise and using positiveenergy, not negative energy. Playing UNO was so much fun andso was going to the computer room and gym. I liked doingart with the art teacher, learning to paint and do other thingsand I liked making things at the art table. And that is why Iam coming back next summer too.

Erielneiceia age 10

Dear Friends,I like to go swimming because I can swim with my

friends. I like to play basketball because it is my favorite sport. I like to play volleyball because I can hit the ball over the net.

Rashaun age 9

Dear Friends,I liked to do art at the Center. Making great things

with my friends. It was the best thing I did. We had alot of fun. It was great at the Center.

Kayla age 9

Dear Friends,I love to come to the Summer Program. We get to

switch groups every hour. When we switch groups wecook, or play basketball or draw. We go places too.It is my second time coming.

Marlo age 9

Allie Lewis (R) and Helen Gill (L) are proud of their medals

Janice, Jamesha and Lekedra all came

one behind the other and claimed top

three places in their age division.


For the 4th year in a row, both teens and adults enjoyed being a part ofthe Juke Joint Festival 5k run held the third Saturday in April. We werebig in numbers and had a wonderful time competing and completingthe 5k run. Most of the adults walked, the teenagers ran and we hadsome win awards in their age groups.

The 26th Annual Delta Jubilee 5k Run/Walk proved to be less of achallenge for adults and teens of TCEC. Nearly everyone that attendedplaced and received a medal. Janesha Lee placed 1st in her age division, making her a double winner two years in a row. Her brother,Kendall Lee came in third overall out of all the participants in the DeltaJubilee. There’s a great community spirit with teens and adults cheeringeach other on. TCEC staff members and morning walkers also walkedaway with medals in their age divisions. After the run since we all ranand walked so hard and worked up an appetite, we went out to breakfast to McDonalds and ate only the healthy foods!

RRuunnnniinngg && HHaavviinngg FFuunn

Kendall Lee shows off his medal.

Orlanski Coleman placed third in his age division.

TCEC Group lines up for a picture

. Look at all those medals!

Janesha Lee proudly displays her 1st place trophy.


The children always love to come to thegym to play basketball and learn othersports and fitness activities, and this summer proved to be no different. Thissummer the students participated in theFitness program CATCH (Child and Adolescent Trial for CardiovascularHealth). CATCH recreation is for childrento enjoy and participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. These activitiesgive children the chance to practice theirmovement skills and to become fit. Thechildren also played volleyball, jumprope, hoola hoop and many other fungames and activities that help to keepthem fit and active.

SSuummmmeerr iinn tthhee GGyymm

The Red and Yellow team in action.

Can we all get through this hoola hoop?

The winning team show off their trophies. (L to R) Reggie age 13,

Roy age 16, Jalissa age 14, Brandon age 16, Morris age 16, Jeremy age 17

The children working on their arm strength.

Getting ready for the BIG GAME.Streeeeeeeeeeeeetch!

Who can jump rope the longest?.

HHooooppiinn’’iinn tthhee SSuummmmeerrAfter participating in the Teen EmpowermentConference, the TCEC teens were rewardedwith a Summer League Basketball Program.The teens who attended the Conference weredivided into groups according to the colors oftheir pinnies: Blue, Green, Red and Yellow. All of the teams were chosen evenly to ensurethat each team had equal amount of talent.Twice a week the teams played in games thatconsisted of 13 minute halves and 2 time-outsper team. Each team chose a captain whowould set-up the roster, work with the team onplays and encourage the team to do well. TheRed team started out undefeated, but by the end of the Summer League there was onlyone team remaining. The Yellow team wascrowned the Champions of the 2009 SummerBasketball League and received trophies to prove it.

The coaches believe that the Summer LeagueBasketball Program not only teaches basketballbut helps our teens develop leadership skills,good sportsmanship and team spirit. Whatcould be better!


Always trying to keep our teens interested, we tried doingour Teen Summer Program a little different. We ran a weeklong “Teen Empowerment Conference”at the beginning ofthe summer. Our goal was to have a very intense, information filled, fun week. So we called in extra help. We were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Roach from the local highschool. Their expertise and the rapport they have with theteens was just what we needed. The week proved successful.The teens were surveyed as to what topics they wanted todiscuss. They made the plan and we implemented it.

Topics were respect (self, other, and authority), goal setting, relationships, dating, and community development. We ranconcurrent sessions and teens attended what interested them.A lot came out of the discussions and we feel we pulled ona chord that will help us reach our teens.

The rest of the summer the TCEC Coaches took over and the teens learned team work, good sportsmanship and leadership skills by playing basketball with set teams.

SSuummmmeerr TTeeeenn PPrrooggrraamm GGeettss aa FFaaccee LLiifftt!!

HHiissttoorriiccaall Figure Visit TCECJames Meredith, the first black student to attend the University of Mississippi, was on a 200 mile walk throughparts of the State of Mississippi to highlight the needs of thepoor in our Country.

The WALK FOR THE POOR traveled through several Mississippi towns significant to the Civil Rights Movement including Marks, Clarksdale, Ruleville, Drew, Greenwoodand many others. The walk started in Tunica, MS (about 45miles from Tutwiler) on May 24, 2009. Sr. Teresa Shields,SNJM, Sr Angela Susallo O.P., Sr. Gus Griffin O.P and Sr. Maureen Delaney SNJM, joined the small but determinedgroup in Tunica to start the walk down Old Highway 61.

On Monday June 1, Mr. Meredith and his brother Arthurwere in Tutwiler to walk around the town, talk to people andhear their stories. He was joined by other members of hisfamily and ended the day at the Tutwiler Community Education Center (TCEC) for a dinner and a talk. He sharedwith the group of about 50 local people and people visitingfrom out of state who were in the area working on Habitat

houses, his message of concern for the poor, importance ofearly childhood education, parental responsibilities and theneed for exercise and healthy living.

Mr. Meredith was welcomed by Mayor-elect GenetherSpurlock and Supervisor Jerome Little. Both stated that it was an honor to welcome James Meredith, a courageous historic figure, into our community. The TCEC staff served a delicious spaghetti supper and a wonderful evening of fellowship followed.

Mrs. Spurlock stands with her group after theirpresentation. (Lto R) Reggie age 13, Rodney age 13,Kristopher age 13, Justin age 13, Jessie age 13, Ernest age 13, Atrivius age 14, Antonio, age 13

Mrs. Roach and Mr. Roach stand with their group that discussed community affairs. (L to R) Mrs. Roach, Jarvis age 17, Xavier age 18, Demetrice age 18, Henry age 19, Kendell age 18, Kadeem age 19, walter age 18, Robert Age 19, Mr. RoachMrs. Johnson and Darrion Pigueshare what they discussed with the whole group.


On June 18, Mr. Brian Miles, owner of Forever Fit Fitness Centersin Memphis, Tennessee spoke to our teens. Mr. Miles is an ex-probasketball player and personal trainer for many famous athletes.He kept the attention of the teens by bringing them out on thefloor to help demonstrate several points he was making. He saidbasketball can teach us lessons for life. He emphasized the impor-tance of education, to prepare for when the opportunity comesyour way and to respect authority. Great lessons taught by a greatrole model.

On July 8 and 9, we were blessed again. Mr. Marc Fomby, arenowned motivational speaker from Jackson, Mississippi, did aworkshop on Hip Hop Music for both parents and teens. What isHip Hop Music? What is it saying? How does it effect our minds?Does it have positive or negative messages? Are there differenttypes of Hip Hop Music? All of these questions were answered inthis workshop. As parents we were enlightened because we oftenmiss the message by not understanding the language. The work-shop drew a large crowd of people from all walks of life. Thelocal churches and pastors showed a lot of interest by bringingtheir youth and adult groups. Parents and teens got a new look atwhat we are listening to and feeding our minds on.

SSppeecciiaall SPEAKERS Come To Tutwiler

Kadeem Sutton shakes hands with guestspeaker, Mr. Marc Fomby, after his

speech on Hip Hop Music.

Teens listen and understand Hip Hop Music.

Brian Miles does some strategic planning with a group of teens.

Our West TallahatchieHabitat for Humanity continues to grow and develop. We have had several groups come overthe past few months to helpwork on the houses. Toname a few that came:Holy Names University from Oakland, CA, DePaul University from Chicago, Shiel Catholic Center fromEvanston, IL, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish from Naperville,IL. students from Delta State University Cleveland, MS. Weare working on building houses 32 & 33 and a slab has beenpoured for house #34. We continue to build these housesbecause of the great volunteers who come and help us.These people join together with our local people who will bebuying the houses and friendships are made, houses get builtand communities of people are developed in Tutwiler.

We are also grateful to our two Habitat Co-ordinators, Eric Patten and Micah Berman. Both are in the Americorp

Program and both will be moving on at the end ofJuly of this year. We can never thank them enoughfor all they have done to further develop the WestTallahatchie Habitat project. Micah is going toClaremont College in California and Eric is headingto Colorado to be with friends and relatives and seehow best to use his gifts and talents there. We wishthem well and many blessings as they continue

their career paths. Remember, you are always welcome inTutwiler!

We are happy to say we do have another Habitat Co-ordinator coming to join us in September. Her name is Allison Patten (she is Eric’s cousin!). She graduated from Marquette University in May and would like to come toTutwiler for a year or two to co-ordinate Habitat activities.Welcome Allison! West Tallahatchie Habitat keeps goingslowly, but surely! For more information call the HabitatDorm and ask for Allison at 662-345-6200.

Habitat

MAGNIFICENT MICAH and ERIC YOU¹RETHE BEST were the messages on the t-shirtspresented to our two good friends at the

homeowners good bye party. ³Big Sister² andAllie Lewis thanked them for all they did and

told them they would be missed.

QUILTS (APPROXIMATE SIZE) POSTAGETwin (66 x 96) $300.00 $25.00Full (81 x 96) $325.00 $30.00Queen (90 x102) $350.00 $35.00King (108 x102) $375.00 $40.00Baby (36 x 48) $ 80.00 $12.00

Bags: $25.00 $10.00Table Runners $45.00 $12.00Place Mats(set of 4) $40.00 $12.00 Pot Holders $ 7.00 $5.00

Wall Hangings36x48 $80.00 $12.0020x40 $45.00 $12.00

hoop $40.00 $20.00mini wall hangings $10.00 $ 5.00

(12 by 18 in.)Cards $1.50 each or 5 for $7.00 $5.00


QuiltsOur Tutwiler quilted items continue to be sold through thenewsletter, by people coming to the Center to see them, Habitat groups that come to Tutwiler to help build houses and by “going on the road” to various workshops that have vendors. In May of this year Mary Ann Willis, LucindaBerryhill, Sr. Maureen and Sr. Teresa from Jonestown went toSeattle Washington to the Catholic Women’s Conference. It was the perfect place to sell our quilted items. Many womenwere interested in the project and bought many things to use in their homes and to give as gifts. It was a very profitable trip!In September of this year Mary Ann and Lucinda will be traveling to Arizona to sell at the Theresian National conference. We look forward to meeting new people andtelling about our Tutwiler Quilt Project.

On October 3, 2009 we are “double booked!” In the morning we will be at the Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS selling our quilted items and in the afternoon and the next daywe will be in Olive Branch, MS as vendors at the Lewis andClark Trail Heritage Foundation annual meeting. This is another new group for us to sell at so we are anxious to meetthese new people and show off our beautiful Tutwiler Quilts.

October, November and December are our busy months. If you are going to request Christmas orders, please try to getthem in early. Over the past few years some churches have soldthe Tutwiler Quilt items on Sundays after the services. If youand your parish are interested in doing this, please contact Sr. Maureen Delaney (662)345-8393 as soon as possible.

Lucinda Berryhill (L) shows the various baby quilts to a customer.

Mary Ann Willis (L) straightens out

the pot holders so the

customers can look.What a pretty bag!

Special Note: As we all know the price of postage keeps

going up! It is increasingly difficult for us to estimate postagecosts for our quilted items. Our Post Mistress says it depends onthe weight and size of the box and where it is going. We send allof our items first class with insurance and tracking. (No it is notcheaper to send UPS. We have investigated.)

Below are the quilt prices and next to them are the postagecosts. Starting in September of 2009, if the postage cost is morethan $1.00 over what we estimated, we will send you a bill topay the difference. We hope you understand and we thank youfor your orders and your support of our Quilt Project. Sr. Maureen Delaney SNJM, Executive Director, Tutwiler Community Ed. Center

Thanks to so many of you, our donors, for participating in our quilt raffle/fund raiser during June and July. It was a big success!

• We mailed out 2,472 appeal letters. We are proud to say that550 people responded. Some who are not “into” raffles justsent back a donation that would help our summer activities.

• We took in $30,775.00, Expenses totaled $2,200.00 and thebottom line was $28,575.00. Our goal was to make$26,000.00, so as you can see we made it and went over.

The winners of the raffle were:

1st place: Ms. D. Snoderly from Alpharetta, GA

2nd place: Ms. E. Stroud from Rochester, NY3rd place: Mrs. D. Stormberg from Central Point, OR4th place: Sr. Bee Schellinger O.P., Racine, WI

Even with the “tight” economy you, our donors, were and are so generous to us in Tutwiler. We say a SPECIAL THANK YOU!

Quilt Raffle/Fund Raiser

Coach Donnie Roebuck(R) presents trophy

to Kandell Lee

Coach Greg Buchanna (L) congratulates speaker Mr. Tony Young (R)


2009 Athletic BanquetDuring the months of December to March, our coaches workwith the children and teens ages 9 to 18 coaching them in basketball. They put them in teams and and play teens fromneighboring towns in an informal basketball league. Thesegames are played on Saturdays, sometimes in our TCEC Gym and sometimes in the neighboring towns.

After the hard work the children and teenagers put in duringthe season, the time came to acknowledge their efforts. All ofthe teams had a great season, but the young ladies came out ontop. They were the Champions for the season.

Some of the children and teens participated in the athletic banquet by giving speeches that reflected on their season andwhat they learned. The speaker for the event was West Tally’sGirls’ Basketball Coach, Tony Young. He grew up in Tutwiler,went to school at West Tallahatchie High School, went to collegeat MS. Valley State where he received his B.S and his Masters Degree. He also used to be a coach at the TCEC Gym. Tony is agood role model for our teens. He spoke about the importanceof education and of staying committed to any task and not togive up if you do not succeed the first time.

All of the participants were awarded trophies, medals and certificates for their involvement throughout the season. Thecoaches had a hard decision to make when it came to selectingthe three (3) people on each team they felt deserved to receivespecial trophies: Sportsmanship Award, Most Improved andCoaches’ Award.

Our dedicated coaches (L to R)John Farmer, Angela Allen, DonnieRoebuck, Linda Johnson andGreg Buchanna take time out

for a picture.

TCEC girls are full of excitement with their trophy in hand.

This has been a fun filled year for the seniors and the TRIAD(The Right Information and Direction). As you know theTRIAD is a program for senior citizens that is correlated withthe local law enforcement agencies in Tallahatchie Countythat try to keep senior citizens safe and enhance their lives.TRIAD meets once a month while the TCEC senior programmeets weekly. The Center’s staff along with the sheriff’s department work hard to make sure our seniors’ needs aremet. Programs are designed to give senior citizens information that will add quality and safety to their lives. We present speakers each month on various topics includingsafety tips for the home, fire prevention, frauds and scams,leaving a will, and many others.

The highlight of the year was “Senior Appreciation Day”which was held May 13, 2009 at TCEC. The theme this yearwas “Living Today For a Better Tomorrow.” Our speaker wasSister Joann Blomme from the Tutwiler Clinic. This was a special day for all seniors. Various participants gave tributes,

sang songs andread poems. We choose Mrs. Elizabeth Kegler as “Senior of Year.” Mrs. Keglar is a 93 years young, retiredschool teacher who never misses a meeting. After gettingherself here, she always encourages others to come. She is such a spirited person and serves as an inspiration to all of us.

The event ended witha delicious meal thatwas prepared by theSheriff Department andthe TCEC staff. It was a memorable occasionfor all.

Senior Program Going Strong

We exercise our minds.

Mrs. Modella Hayes enjoys learning to use the computer.

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTUTWILER, MSPERMIT NO.4

TUTWILER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER

THE TIMES301Hancock StreetP.O. Box 448Tutwiler, Mississippi 38963Phone 662.345.8393Email [email protected]

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

CENTER NEEDS• Money to help run the programs (with gas, electricity and postage going

up, every donation is appreciated!)

Corduroy for quilted bags: solid colors. Must be at least one yard wide.

• Sheets for backing for quilts; rose, navy, cream, light blue, forest green, maroon---must be 180 thread count or greater

• Prizes for teenagers: sports head bands and wrist bands, caps, lanyards, back packs, bracelets, socks, water bottles. T-shirts etc.

• New basketballs and volleyballs

• School supplies: paper, back packs, folders, highlighters, calculators

• Games: UNO, checkers, puzzles 25, 50, or 75 pieces

Many people have told me they cannot send things to us any more becausepostage is too high. We understand this and we appreciate all the supportpeople give us. So what do we need? WE NEED YOU! Keep us in yourthoughts and prayers and here is a suggestion I might make.

If you no longer can send us items from our needs list because of postagecosts, could you send us a portion of the money you used to spend forpostage? Just think if 400 or 500 people send even $5.00, $10.00 or $20.00,together it makes a big donation toward keeping this special place open and improving the quality of life for many people.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!

Mr. Joey Young, an art instructor from the Oakhurst Junior High School, Clarksdale, Mississippi, was our visiting artist this summer. He taught the children basicshapes, collages and surrealism art that expresses fantasy or dreams. The children experienced many differentmedia: pencils, paints, and torn paper art. This was a wondeful experience for the children, and a lot of talent was cultivated. He was a great asset to the art program at the Center.

VViissiittiinngg AArrttiisstt

(L to R) Donta age 11, Dan age 10 and Marquis age 11 proudly show off their art work.

Documents

TCEC Sept 2009