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photo by Hannah Reel
Derrick Washington, 2, holds his balloon while celebrating his birthday with his friends and family at Duncan Park Saturday afternoon.
Double birthday party means double the fun
Published Monday, July 20, 2009
NATCHEZ — When The Dart found Candance Washington at Duncan Park, both her daughter and son were excited to make her go down the water slide.
“Yeah I’m going to slide,” she said. “I’m going to get out there and jump all over.”
Washington was at Duncan Park having a birthday party for her son, Derrick Washington, and daughter, Aerianna Wilson.
Little Derrick held up two fingers high in the sky to signify his age. Aerianna yelled she was 7 as she ran up the ladder to go down the water slide one more time.
“We chose Duncan Park because it is a nice community park with a great landscape, and it is in order,” Washington said. “It gives the kids a lot of opportunities to play, like on the swings and slides.”
“Plus, I can have a bigger party here and not have a wreck at home to clean up,” she said.
Photo by Hannah Reel
D’Ashia Bernard, 8, watches as Arianna Washington, 7, slides down the water slide her parents rented for her and her brother’s birthday celebration at Duncan Park Saturday afternoon.
It is a dual party because the children’s birthdays are only eight days apart. It is a chance to bring together family every year for good times, Washington said.
“I’m really excited about how it is going,” she said. “We have a big party like this every year.”
Gwendolyn Murrell, the birthday children’s aunt, said Saturday was a perfect day to have a party.
“It’s not too hot, it’s just right to be outside,” she said.
It wouldn’t be a party without food, and on the grill was Wilbert Whitley, who was serving up hot dogs, chicken and sausage.
“I think everyone is excited about the food,” Washington said. “The children wanna play, and the grown-ups wanna eat.”
Washington said Wilbert cooked last year, will cook next year and will be cooking 10 years from now.
“If that is what your significant other tells you to do, then it is best to keep your mouth closed and do it,” Whitley said. “So I’ll be cooking.”
The theme for the birthday cake was a combination of Curious George and Hannah Montana.
“Derrick has liked Curious George ever since he saw a little monkey at the zoo,” she said. “And Aeri wants to be a rock star, just like Hannah, right?”
The 7-year-old holds her left arm high in the sky, and exclaims that she will be a singer with her pretend microphone in her right hand, mimicking the image on the cake.
The biggest change from this year to last year was that Derrick could walk this year, Washington said, and the birthday boy was a blur of energy as he ran from the slide, to the rock wall, to the swings.
Party guest Steven Sumpter walked over to help Derrick into the swing, but as he got there, the boy ran over to the golf cart.
“I think he wants to ride the cart now,” Sumpter said. “He’s been running (for an hour).”
Shanteria Hawkins, a cousin of the birthday children, summed the party up.
“It’s a nice sunny day to be outside having fun,” she said. “Everyone is having fun.”
Comments
Posted by olderthandirt (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What are the rules for having parties at Duncan Park? Do you have to reserve the park?Are there fees?Was the water used for the slide free to the family? In the past, my husband has not been able to rent a golf cart to play golf because they were all on the course...why was there a golf cart at a party? I hope Ralph Tedder or someone can answer these questions.
Posted by whatitis (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get a life olderthandirt....
Posted by olderthandirt (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a life, thankyouverymuch.But, as a taxpayer I am curious about how things are paid for.And also wondering if you have to reserve the date and space for use.Glad the children and families enjoyed themselves.
Posted by thick1982 (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have had family reunions and birthday parties at the park. Its first come first served. No it’s not a fee. I feel like whatitis get a life olderthandirt. Life is too short to worry about the water bill. As a taxpayer I have no clue to where every penny of my money is going but I know one thing they take it out of my paycheck every time I get paid. It’s a lot of things that are getting paid for and we don't know how. People getting money and shouldn't be... that’s life. What am I going to do, stop working? NO!!! The children had a good time and no one was hurt...thats all that matter. As far as the golf carts called Ralph Tedder.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
olderthandirt
you were not able to rent a golf cart "because "they" were all on the course"
who is "they"... I hope you are talking about the golf carts?
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Happy Birthday Kids!
Grown-Ups remember birthday parties?
Don't spoil this article with alot of queries
which you can answer yourself or with a phone call.
Posted by humbleone (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't care how positive or how cute a story is, there is always someone who will find something "stupid" to say on these comments. Aint nobody worried about what you're trying to get stirred up "olderthandirt" - find something to do in all that spare time of yours!
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's ok olderthandirt. We refuse to play golf at Duncan Park anymore because we can never get a cart either. They are always in use by people playing 8 to a group who will not let you play through.
Glad the kids had fun, that's what life is about when you are a child. They will grow up soon enough!
Posted by hitchcock (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree this is about two little kids having a birthday party. Just wish them a Happy Birthday.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Happy Birthday kids!!! Wish I had a rock climbing wall big enough for me! Not to mention that cool water slide.
Posted by showbiz (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
olderthandirt "that name said enough " go look out the window , gossip on the phone , get a grip . Like it or not the park is for everyone if you dont like the people there stay your A__ away .
Posted by dejavoodoo (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kids love to ride in Golf Carts! It probably made their day even more special. Golfers can walk! Probably made their heart alittle healthier- it's a win win situation!!
Posted by artist (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This article was great! I wish I was a kid again. They seem to be having fun! Happy Birthday Kids and many more!
olderthandirt you must have skipped your childhood and wished this could of been you.
Posted by babev1 (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 4:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I to would like to know about the free water for the slide! I would like to have a party there with a water slide put to have it out my house would make my water bill double if not triple.
Posted by youneverknow (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Olderthandirt you made a comment, I believe this is the place to do that. In fact it is written---Post a Comment.
Why do people get all bent out of shape over a simple question. This is most likely the first time this has ever been brought to the attention of the people. The question is, does the city pay for the water if you use a water slide ?
I see no meaness in this question.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think it's mean, either, youneverknow. It's a good question.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to answer the question, no the "city" does not pay the water bill. "we" the taxpayers do. i am more than happy to pay a water bill so KIDS can have FUN on their BIRTHDAY. Remember this article started off talking about GOOD things : KIDS, FUN and PARTY. How did we get here???? anybody, please help me to understand .......
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We got here because "someone" took exception to the word "they" in an otherwise innocent post. Now my question is why would you do that and so, who started the racist crap.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to know if the city will provide the water for a waterslide should I rent one for my kid's next birthday party at Duncan Park. This party was a good idea, by the way, and I'd like to do the same. Now why was this a racist remark, flowerpower? I see the kids having fun in the article; I want the same for my kids. All three of my kids' birthdays are celebrated in the summertime and if the city and you, flowerpower, take no exception, I'll hookup to the water line, too!
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No dear kpage. The racist remark was belle-south questioning the word "they" as used by olderthandirt. The article itself is a good one about some innocent kids having fun on their birthday. I just pointed out who was the first to bring race into the discussion.
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All of you Go To Bed !!!
Most Towns ,Cities,etc. have water areas Pools etc if the place in which you live have temp. of 90+ except here, If you are not fortuned enough to have your own, but here you have to get a hotel room for your out of town guests if they want to swim.But most of us have $50,000 pools so Duncan Parks little water doesn't matter. The upkeep is the people pay to go in to have a nice time. Go and tell that
aka THEY (The golf cart mover)
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
soooooo Sad is this place !!!
NOTHING TO DO
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