A Tribute to the Newark Eagles

I don’t really know where this whole idea originated, or where this week end began, but it was a BLAST!!! A week end full of warmth, respect and love. There were many stories about the former days of Newark. What it was like to grow up in a city that was vibrant, alive and rich in baseball. Stories were told of The Grand Hotel and of Ruppert Stadium.

There were many “knot hole” kids present. Boys and girls still resident in the bodies and memories of men and women who had grown much older.

Men like Congressman Donald Payne, and his boyhood classmate and friend, Amiri Baraka. Men who remembered peering through the holes in the outfield fences, or being able to gather together 10 cents for ten games. Men, who shared high school memories of playing the game of baseball, like Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, Jr.. Yes there were many who came to celebrate, commemorate and pay homage to the men who played the game of baseball in Newark to sell- out crowds, when only the ball was white.

As for me, I think that it probably started with a man who told a story about a father and son and their shared love of game of baseball.

His name is Tony Schuman, and he serves on the Newark Historical Commission. Tony chaired the Commission’s committee that championed this 2-day commemorative event. The event began with a reception and dinner in the Ballentine House at the Newark Museum. During the evening, Tony shared with us how much baseball had meant to him and his father. He pulled out the treasured worn glove that was his father’s and allowed us to have a glance and reminding us of our own gloves, and our own treasured connections with our pasts.

Because the dinner was in the Ballentine House we had the opportunity to feast our eyes on some of the treasures in the Newark Museum.What a treat!! I haven’t been to the Museum in years. If you haven’t, and you live in New Jersey or nearby, make it your business to get over there. Heck, you could even make a weekend out of it and stay at the Robert Treat Hotel that is across the street. I can vouch for the service as well as the accommodations for guests with disabilities. The Museum is packed full of some wonderful treasures. They still provide classes and have some exceptional things that they do for kids. I wish we could have had more time but I tried to take advantage of the moments we had. We plan on getting back real soon.

On Friday morning we went to the dedication of streets in Newark to former Newark Eagles. It was a beautiful tribute to some great men who had been forgotten and who remained unknown to most of Newark until now. .

Thanks, Joe Fox.

This plaque will be replicated in Bronze and be placed at the entrance of the development.

And although there are only a few names, they represent the talent and strength that was the Newark Eagles.


Did you know that there are eight Newark Eagles in the National Baseball Hall of Fame that played on the 1946 Newark Eagles Negro League World Series Team?



Their names are all now a permanent part of the Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium as a part of the Ring of Honor.

Here are some of them.

If you can name the other three, send me an e-mail in the comments section with their names. If I get more then one correct answer, I'll do a drawing for the winner. I promise a prize for the winner that I know you will enjoy! The drawing will take place on September 28th.

I've tried to give you a little feel for the week end. I can't begin to tell you how magical and wonderful it was. It was one of those "gotta be there" kinda things. Thank you City of Newark! Thank you Newark Historical Society! Thank you Newark Museum! Thank you Newark Bears!

If you ever have a chance to spend some time with any of the men of the Negro Leagues, don't miss it. They provided a view of what it takes to create an alternate reality; to choose to live your dream; to believe in yourself and to live your life with joy, commitment, and without doubt. What a model!

Fortunately, my grand-nephew was able to come and accept my father's medals for him. I know that he would be proud. I know that he is somewhere smiling. It was a special time. As you can see Jules was quite happy to do it. And held them in his little hands as the treasures that they were.



















I've added some additional shots from the tributes and the final dinner that my family shared with Monte Irvin and his daughter and a very dear friend Pam Irvin-Fields. We went to the famous Ironbound section of Newark and had a wonderful dinner at Fornos of Spain. Yummm. The evening proved to be quite long for Jules, but what JOY! Young man, you did have a busy day!



I hope you enjoy the slides. (I may have to set up another blog after all)

POP Lloyd Weekend

I tried to upload pictures of this year's Pop Lloyd Humanitarian Award winners, as well as some pictures of previous weekends. The pictures are not as clear as I had hoped they would be. I'll try again tomorrow, or later this week. It takes a lot longer to do then I had anticipated. And, it has gotten pretty late. If you want to see some better shots, more information or are just plain curious about what this is all about then click on the link to your left under Negro League Baseball. You can also use this link, or any of the others that include the words "POP" Lloyd.

Jackie Jolles... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Documenting the Negro Leagues in Portraits

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending time with an incredibly talented portrait artist. She asked me to sit for her. Geez. Anyway, it provided me with the opportunity to share a morning with her just talking and sitting. The portrait process is fascinating to me in that way.

Jackie Jolles is her name. She asked me to sit because she is actually documenting the Negro Leagues in portrait. If you read my previous postings, then you know my father played in the Negro Leagues. And guess what... I have my father's face!

This portrait is of Geraldine Day, wife of Hall of Fame, pitcher Leon Day. What I like most about this portrait, is that it truly captures her. Not just her image, but her essence. It is so incredibly strong. The other portraits are equally as powerful. Jackie has done some incredible work here and I hope that some of you will be fortunate enough to see it. Maybe she will share some of HERstory with you. I was fortunate enough to hear some of it. I hope one day that you will be as fortunate.

Thinking About Dad...

This past week has been pretty difficult for me. It marks the 4 year anniversary of my father's passing. It hardly seems like it has been that long, it feels like it was yesterday... no today. Much of my time has been spent distracting myself and pushing away sadness. What I still haven't learned yet is that there is really no way around your emotions, you have got to let in each experience, each emotion and only then are you free to move on. So, I decided to post this tribute to him. And then, I will show all of the things that I have done to distract myself over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, I thought that I had more pictures on my computer of him then these. My scanner isn't working so I can't scan any, but I think these will do. The first is one that was taken at my daughter's graduation from law school. As you can see from the picture, he adored her. He had that same adoration for all of us. Amazing how someone could have that much love in them. Enough so that each of us felt we were the "favorite" one. Three of his five grandchildren received post secondary degrees that year, and he stayed with us long enough to see each one of them receive them. And believe me, physically, that was not easy for him. By the end of my daughter's ceremony he was sitting in his wheelchair at the back of the auditorium wrapped in a blanket. But he was determined to see it. It rained for all three of the graduations. Two of them were held outdoors. He sat through them all. Brutal!
The other picture is from when he played baseball in Cuba. He played for both the Cienfuegos and the Havanas. They were some of the happiest days that he and my mother spent together. If you get a chance check out one or more of the web sites listed in my links. They will provide you with a wealth of information about the men who played in the Negro Leagues during the years of segregated baseball in America. One of the things that always amazed me, and that remains curious to me yet, is that baseball was not segregated during that time in Cuba. And that men who found themselves playing together as team mates during the winter months in Cuba, would once again separate when they reached US soil.
The other photo was taken on he beach at Trinidad in Cuba. Not very far from where my parents lived at one point.
My mother passed 6 months prior to my father joining her. I believe that she had something to do with him remaining with us as long as he did. She knew we needed him and probably spent a great deal of energy negotiating with him to stay awhile. I can imagine their conversations. For me, it was still not long enough! I guess I'm selfish that way. I miss him horribly, and I will probably miss him for as long as I live.



Creative Distractions...
or MY ARTFUL SPIRIT AS A TREASURED RESOURCE??


Artist Trading Dolls (ATD)

Camera and clay were used as distractions this week. And, by weeks end had put me in a really good place as you can see from my previous posts. i can't help but think that maybe I was able to accomplish so much was because I had so much in me to work with!! So, here are some pictures.





This is a swap for my Artist Trading Doll Group. This months paper doll swap was to focus on complimentary colors. The head of this doll is polymer clay. I used Paverpol to give the paper dress and her arms dimension and to help in the sculpting of her hair. Pearl Ex, Embossing Powder and Acrylics also helped me complete this little cutie. I really was pleased with how she turned out.





I love when the Iris bloom. Even though they are spectacular on their on, in their natural state. They provide so many interesting opportunities for photographic alteration and exploration.



ROXANNE (A Sherry Goshon Class)

I'm taking an online class with Sherry Goshon. The doll is Roxanne, and she is made using a dress form,and a felt body which is skinned. You can have a look see at Sherry's site. I am really behind but will work my way through. I decided to sculpt hands rather do cloth ones, and used apoxie for her boots in case I want her to stand. These are her boots unpainted. I decorated them with vines and calla lilies. Can't wait to paint them! Today I felted the body which I will "Skin" tomorrow. Really neat techniques!!


Mom's Refrigerator Art




And finally, I'm also working on this collage for my wonderfully talented, and absolutely gorgeous daughter's home. She recently purchased a home and I'm helping to cover the walls. This is for her bedroom. I suppose some might look at this as reverse refrigerator art or adult fridge art. She seems to lap it up though. I hope she isn't pulling my leg! I can't wait until it's finished. I just found her retainer from her braces and a few other goodies to include!!

Would love to get some feedback on some of this stuff. Tomorrow I'm going to see grandkids so you may be in for a treat!