As I like to say, "The story goes on..." Here's the latest from the world of The Temptations:
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AMERICA’S TWO MOST HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES MEET THE TEMPTATIONS - by Ed Hines July 28, 2007. It was a historic night at the Wolf Trap Center For the Performing Arts in Vienna, VA. The Honorable Kris Amundson (D-44th), Member of The House of Delegates to the General Assembly and representatives from Gum Springs, Groveton and Spring Bank, VA in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County, VA met with The Temptations. The legendary musical group was presented with proclamations and awards from all three communities who are “Participating Communities” in Jamestown, 2007, America’s 400th Anniversary. State Delegate Amundson, acting as Mistress of Ceremony, presented The Temptations with Proclamations, naming them, “The Temptations: An American Institution, Ambassadors of Music & Goodwill and America’s Cultural Gift to Mankind.” Dr. Judith Saunders Burton, from the Gum Springs community, great-great-great granddaughter of West Ford, foreman of the slaves at George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation and founder of Gum Springs, VA (1833) then presented Otis Williams, only living founding member of The Temptations with the “Anthony Johnson Founder’s Legacy Award” in honor of “The First African-American Landowner in America.” Next, Ms. Charlotte Brown, Historian of the Groveton community, (Remember The Titans), was introduced. Ms. Brown’s ancestral lines include Dr. John Woodson, who traveled with Governor George Yeardley to Jamestown, VA in 1619 and helped establish Flowerdew, the first plantation in “The New World.” Her other noted ancestors include President Thomas Jefferson, First Lady Dolly Madison and the infamous outlaws Frank and Jesse James. Mrs. Alberta Hines-Webb, of the Spring Bank community, great granddaughter of Charles Henry Quander, the first African-American settler of Spring Bank, VA presented Joe Herndon, bass singer of The Temptations with the “John Pedro Heritage Legacy Award” in honor of the “Second Largest African-American Landowner & The First Martyr In America.” The Quanders are the oldest documented African American family in America (1684). Mr. Terrence D. Jones, President, CEO of The Wolf Trap Foundation also attended the event and addressed the audience that included residents from all three communities, including churchgoers, fans and relatives. Mrs. Lucille Watkins and her daughters, Mrs. Joan Watkins-Cheeks and Mrs. Denise Watkins-Robinson, aunt and cousins respectively of Joe Herndon and other members of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Spring Bank were among the fans and supporters. Mr. Ralph Herndon, brother of Joe Herndon and Choir Director of the Alfred Street Baptist Church (1803) in Alexandria, VA was also on hand beaming with pride. The Alfred Street Baptist Church is the oldest African-American congregation in the Washington-Maryland-Virginia area and one of the oldest in the United States. The group then took to the stage and did what they do best – entertained and thrilled the crowd with their numerous hits, “Get Ready”, “My Girl”, and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” among many others. “Stay” a favorite among the ladies, brought the house down. The Jamestown Celebrations are only held once every fifty years. Gum Springs, Groveton and Spring Bank, VA certainly wrote their place in history on this very special night! |