Residents celebrate Minorville

Published 12:00 am Sunday, July 29, 2001

Rosalie Hawkins remembered a different Minorville Saturday during the 10th annual Minorville Jubilee.

She cannot remember a trolley she is told used to ride through the community &uot;but I do remember when this street was gravel,&uot; said the 81-year-old who was born in the house where she still lives.

The retired teacher, who graduated from Brumfield School and survived Natchez’s Rhythm Nightclub fire, is the third generation to live in her house in Minorville.

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Because of her history in the community. She was asked to serve as Mrs. Minorville for this year’s jubilee.

&uot;It means a lot to me that the people in times like these are still getting together,&uot; she said.

The annual Minorville Jubilee included a unity march down Minor Street to the jubilee site on East Oak Street. It gives special honor to each year’s Mrs. Minorville – Hawkins, Mr. Minorville – Obediah McKnight and Little Miss Minorville – Jamaica Williams.

This year, the Natchez Alcorn Community Band also participated. The march concluded with the Amos Polk Gospel Hour and speeches from local officials.

While addressing the crowd of at least 100, Natchez Alderman Ricky Gray reminded the crowd of the four &uot;Cs&uot; – confidence, consistency, commitment and Christ.

He also gave advice on raising young people.

&uot;I just feel like raising young kids today is like building a house,&uot; Gray said.

People need to start with building a foundation for their children.

&uot;If that foundation is solid they’ll have something to fall back on,&uot; Gray said.

Ella Mae Matthew’s, Mrs. Minorville during the first jubilee and grandmother of the current Little Miss Minorville, thinks the annual event says something about the future.

&uot;It means that things are getting better,&uot; she said. &uot;People are getting together and trying to bring up the younger children.&uot;

The annual jubilee always includes activities for the children including free food and basketballs provided by Albert Bernard Jr. and a waterfall provided by the Natchez Fire Department.

&uot;I enjoy doing anything with kids involved,&uot; said Capt. David William, with the Natchez&160;Fire Department. &uot;Looking at them grinning and laughing – it makes my day right here.&uot;