In celebration of Black History Month, the Sykesville Historic Colored Schoolhouse will host a special afternoon with three graduates of the schoolhouse this Sunday, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Schoolhouse Coordinator Pat Greenwald said the graduates are siblings from the Dorsey family which had 12 children educated at the colored schoolhouse during the 1920s and 1930s, when the school educated an average of 25 black South Carroll-area students per year.
The guest speakers, who visit the school several times a year, will talk about their experiences living in Carroll County during an era of segregation, with stories of life on their family farm and the importance of their opportunity to become educated. There will be a question and answer session, followed by a reception at about 2:30 p.m.
“They have such an important message to share. … I think it’s important for people to come out and hear the voices of their era while they’re still here,” Greenwald said of the guest speakers, who are in their late 80s or early 90s. “Their grandparents were slaves and these three grew up hearing their stories. There won’t be too many more opportunities to hear this perspective.”
In addition to their stories, Greenwald said, Warren Dorsey, who was assigned to the Glee Club during his service in World War II because of his extraordinary singing voice, is frequently persuaded to sing songs of his childhood during his visits to the school.
“They always sing a version of ‘America’ with a completely different melody and refrain from what we’re used to hearing,” said Greenwald. “And Mr. Warren always says, ‘We went to school in a time when America didn’t love us, but we were taught to love America, and this is one of the songs our teacher taught us.'”
Light refreshments will be served during the reception, including bread and King Syrup sandwiches, a meal the students ate for lunch nearly every day at the school.
For more information, call 410-489-6540 or email
. Information is also available at http://www.sykesville.net.
The Sykesville Historic Colored Schoolhouse is at 518 Schoolhouse Road, Sykesville.
Bull, oyster roast
The Freedom District Optimist Club and the Freedom Soccer Club are teaming up to host a bull and oyster roast from 7 p.m. to midnight Feb. 25 at the Freedom Optimist Hall.
The event, which will benefit both organizations, will feature an expansive menu of fried, steamed and raw oysters, as well as oyster bisque, pit beef, pit turkey and pit ham, coleslaw, roasted potatoes, fruit salad, bread, rolls, desserts and beverages, including draft beer and wine as well as soft drinks and sweet tea.
Entertainment for the 21-and-over event will include a deejay and a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia.
Tickets are $37.50 per person, and while they will be sold at the door, advance purchase is appreciated for planning purposes.
For more information or to order tickets, call 410-795-4592 or email dwalters@ieee.org.
The Freedom Optimist Hall is at 6315 Sykesville Road, Eldersburg.
