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Town Talk listeners were in for a treat when Susan Rose, president of Rose Farms and Rentals, Inc. (DBA WIZS Radio) hosted today’s episode with special guest Rosalyn Green, event organizer for the upcoming Mary Potter reunion.
Founded by Dr. George C. Shaw, a Louisburg native, in 1889 to educate African Americans, Mary Potter Academy began as a boarding school before becoming a public high school, intermediate school and, most recently, middle school.
Reunion events will kick off on Friday, July 19, 2019, with a “Meet and Greet” event at Mary E. Shaw Gymnasium on Lanier St. in Oxford. The gymnasium was one of the original buildings of the Mary Potter School.
According to Green, Friday’s event will include food, music, good conversation and lots of former alumni.
Reunion festivities will continue with a parade through downtown Oxford on Saturday, July 20 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The parade is open to the public and will start and end at the George C. Shaw Museum located at 202 McClanahan Street in Oxford.
The parade will follow Williamsboro, Hillsborough and Broad Street and will have appearances by “local officials, local talent, bike clubs, car clubs and a few surprises,” according to Green.
Events will conclude with a church memorial service on Sunday, July 21 at the Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church, an establishment that also traces its roots back to Dr. Shaw, founding pastor. The church is located at 123 W McClanahan St, Oxford.
Green said Sunday’s memorial service will pay homage to those who have passed away since the last reunion, as well as recognize alumni who are veterans.
An active member and former president of the National Mary Potter Club, Green is a 1970 graduate of the last class of Mary Potter High School.
According to Green, this weekend’s bi-annual reunion will be even more poignant for alumni in light of news that Mary Potter Middle School will no longer be in operation effective with the 2019-20 school year.
For more information on reunion events or to RSVP, please call Rosalyn M. Green (301) 351-4850, Gloria G. Hawkins (919) 691-1291 or Janet Baptiste Jones (240) 447-2014. Green asks that all interested participants RSVP no later than Thursday, July 18.
To hear Green’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.