Huntington Notebook: Black History Month Celebrated

Musical Performaces Mark Black History Month

An inspiring speech by a local county legislator and stirring musical performances by a Walt Whitman High School sophomore and local church groups marked Huntington’s 26th Annual Black History Month Celebration Feb. 7.

Dr. William Spencer, who represents the 18th District in the Suffolk County Legislature, emphasized in the keynote address the importance of education in achieving success and of helping people by being a good neighbor.

Dr. Spencer noted that a half century ago, at the height of the civil rights movement, education was viewed as a priority in the path to success; today, he noted, only 18 percent of African-Americans have a college degree.

“We, the People, need to re-dedicate ourselves to education,” he said. 

Highlighting the musical performances was the impressive rendition of the Negro National Anthem sung by Kalif Omari Jones. Fifteen-year-old Kalif, a sophomore at Walt Whitman High School, is a member of the New York City Collegiate Chorale who has performed at Carnegie Hall, with the Metropolitan Opera and on HBO.

Musical selections were also performed by Peggie Primm and Will Floyd from the Feed the People Ministry and the Voices of Faith Missionary Youth Choir under the direction of Minister Timothy Flythe. The Huntington Outreach Ministry, under the direction of the Rev. Jerry Artis and Pastor Bernadette Watkins, did a theatrical performance.

The invocation and benediction were delivered by the Rev. Larry Washington of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church.

Huntington Supervisor Frank. P. Petrone gave welcoming remarks to the audience at Jack Abrams Intermediate School. The members of the Town Council also spoke.

Presidents Day Garbage Pickup Changes

Trash collection is cancelled for President’s Day. Residents who regularly have their trash collected on Mondays will only receive one trash pickup this week on Thursday, Feb. 21. These residents are advised to adjust their schedules accordingly. Additionally there is no yard waste collection scheduled this week.

The collection schedule for the week is as follows:

• Feb. 18- trash collection cancelled
• Feb. 19- trash collection for residents with Tuesday/Friday routes
• Feb. 20- bottles, cans and plastics recycling for all residents
• Feb. 21- trash collection for residents with Monday/Thursday routes
• Feb. 22- trash collection for residents with Tuesday/Friday routes

 Town Hall is closed Monday for Presidents Day.