County residents honor legacy of King's dream

Wharton County residents will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday with a freedom march today and a special program tomorrow, both held in the city of Wharton.

The theme for this year's program is "Marching from Dream to Realty."

Today's march will start at the Wharton County Courthouse Square at 9:30 a.m. and proceed to the Dawson Elementary School Gym. It will be followed by a short program, event organizer Mozell Stephens said.

Sunday's program at Mother Zion Baptist Church is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. and will include several guest speakers, including Rev. Mickey Reynolds, the Precinct 1 commissioner, and Houston Artist Wilson.

Rev. E.L. Wallace of Progressive Baptist Church in El Campo will be the featured speaker. The church is located at the intersection of Milam and Neal streets.

Stephens said she is hoping for a number of young people to attend this year's event.

"They're supposed to bring some youth groups from Houston with them that will add something special to the march," she said. "It's always better to have the young people participate with us. The New Caney Church is also planning to participate with us which is inspiring."

She added she is hoping some members of the Wharton Boys & Girls Club will also join the march.

Among those who have committed to the weekend's program is Geneva Flora of Houston. She will be bringing samples from her collection of slave-related memorabilia.

"I've got a collection of items from the days of slavery," she said in a phone interview. "It includes some of the chains used to bind slaves. I'll have some of the collection with me for the march and then on display at the church for the program."

Stephens said the local march and programs started in 1988 and have been slowly growing over the past several years.

As part of the observance, Stephens said local churches and individuals are being asked to make donations to the Martin Luther King Scholarship Committee. In addition, collections during the program will go toward the group's scholarship fund. She said the group annually presents scholarships to deserving students from all five of the Wharton County school districts.