Roosevelt Times Magazine_March 2013

roosevelt times magazine magazine history edition

M

arch 2013 Volume 3

INSIDE:

Construction Photos 1921 Roosevelt Demolition Series 2008 “Turk” Logan Honored Granville T. Woods “Black Eddison” Willis”Bing”Davis Alumni Sports Alumni Announcements

Cover Design By: Horace Dozier of Timesmedia Digital Magazine’s ©2013

Contents • • • • • • • • • •

Cover “Roosevelt Demolition Series 2008 “The Great Smoke Stacks” From The Editor First District School Painting 1902 Itroduction The Construction of Roosevelt High School (Historic Photos: 1922) Turk Logan Honored by Visual Voices Willis”Bing”Davis ” Connections Across Time and Space” Links U.S. and Ghana 2003-2005 Grandville T. Woods ( The Black Edison) Roosevelt Alumni Sports Roosevelt Alumni Announcements

Special Thanks Dayton Public Schools Montgomery County PF Collection Granville T. Woods Inventor (1856-1910) Willis “Bing”Davis

From the Editor Roosevelt Times Magazine is published six times a year by Vtechpublishing.com and Timesmedia Digital Publications. The purpose being to keep our readers informed while reliving all of the great memories we still have of our Alma Mater, Roosevelt High School. The Roosevelt Times editor and staff sincerely appreciate the support and enthusiasm we have received from you on our latest efforts. We shall continue to bring you the best of the Roosevelt Alumni events, activities and news throughout the coming year.

We welcome submissions of articles or photos from all Alumni, friends or advertisements to be published in our magazine.

If interested, please call the office at 937-291-9620 or mail to: Vtechpublishing PO Box 49188, West Carrollton, OH 45449 Horace Dozier Sr., Editor ©Vtechpublishing & Timesmedia 2013

First District School Dayton Ohio, Historical Painting 1902 This beautifully hand painted watercolor architectural rendering print was painted, dated and signed with the initial’s (RS- 1902) for the Peters, Burns & Pietzinger, Architect company. The location of the First District School was downtown on the north side of Second Street, between Madison and Sears Streets. First District was designated as a Kindergarten school, Total pupil’s; 205 girls and 197 boys=402. (1898)

Introduction This month’s issue is dedicated to the history of local African Americans set to the backdrop of Dayton Public Schools historical facts and photographs of Roosevelt High School. The beauty of a hand painted water color architectural rendering and the not to be forgotten Grandville T. Woods known as the “Black Edison” can never be lost. The Montgomery County Collection of “Roosevelt High School” original construction photos are not just amazingly preserved but represent construction techniques of ninety-three years ago. Truly, It is our history that allows us to move forward with all the energy and creativeness that technology will permit. Today with the advances in digital media we can for the first time, restore and display these treasures with astonishing clarity.

RS

OOSEVELT DEMOLITION eries 2008 Photography By Dozier

About These Photos The “Roosevelt Demolition Photo Series” is a Photographic Collection that represents a two year project to catalogue and photograph the total demolition process from start to finish. The full collection consists of over 1,200 images and 48 videos.

For the purposes of this photo story, this exhibit concentrates on The “Great Smoke Stacks” of Roosevelt High School. Also included is a photo from the “Matheson Street Series Entrance”. The collection all photos and videos

are available on DVD disks. The original smoke stacks stood over150 feet high including the sub-basement; the inner walls were lined with five-rolls of brick, final roll consisted of a white fire brick. In all over 30,000 bricks made up the two towers.

T

he Great Smoke Stacks

Cover Photo: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 DAYTON —It could not have been a more beautiful day, the sky was a crisp clear blue, not a cloud to be found.

The majestic smoke stacks of Roosevelt High School was still standing proud and strong. While preparations were being made to bring down the Bell Tower, in a small ceremonial demonstration with a few Alumni, city representatives, school board members, and the media. “The Bell Tower” would be the first to go.

On Monday, September 29th, the great smoke stacks themselves would fall under the wrecking ball.

The two remaining photos in this series illustrates the artistic but devastating view of a once towering monument to a picture in time, a time when art and craftsmanship, were one.

RC

OOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL ONSTRUCTION PHOTOS 1922

About These Photos Description In this photo is the construction of Roosevelt High School, Dayton, Ohio, 1922-1923. Schenck Williams was the architect and Walbridge Aldinger Company was the Engineers and Builders. The photo was taken October 9, 1922.

Rights Items in this collection are protected by applicable copyright laws. Items created prior to 1923 are in public domain.

Photographic Collection (MCPF), Vol 1 Collection Montgomery County Picture File (Dayton Metro Library)

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URK LOGAN

ONORED BY VISUAL VOICES 2013 DAYTON SKYSCRAPERS 5 part of African-American Arts Festival

Location: Schuster Center Showtimes: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily The exhibit may be closed during special events and private functions at the Schuster Center.

Call (937) 228-7591 or (937) 228-3630 for more information.

About the Show: Each February Victoria Theatre Association partners with Willis “Bing” Davis, curator of Dayton’s EbonNia Gallery, to display an exhibit of art by local African-American artists inside the Schuster Center. According to curator Bing Davis: “DAYTON SKYSCRAPERS is not a celebration of tall buildings or our modest downtown skyline, but DAYTON SKYSCRAPERS is a metaphor for those local African-Americans who stand tall in our minds and hearts for what they have achieved in their fields and their contributions to the quality of life of Dayton and the Miami Valley region.”

This year’s artists are: • • • • • • •

Abner Cope Dwayne Daniel Clifford Darrett Derrick Davis Willis “Bing” Davis Gregg DeGroat Lloyd Greene

• • • • • • •

Kevin Harris Tony Malone James Pate Thelma Patterson Craig Screven Erin Smith-Glenn Yvette Walker Dalton

Community members are welcome to view the exhibit whenever the Schuster Center is open. The exhibit may be closed during special events and private functions at the Schuster Center. Call (937) 228-7591 or (937) 228-3630 for more information.

Performance Sponsor: The Dayton Power and Light Company Foundation

Dr. John Turk Logan, RHS 68 Classmate, was honored as a Skyscraper by artist Derrick E. Davis. A few of John’s achievements and contributions cited are: his pioneering work at WDAO (the first U.S. FM station serving the African American Community), where among many things he provided a platform for area residents to hear prominent Dayton area musicians/bands later referred to as “the Dayton Sound; founder of Ohio’s first minority owned and operated school of Broadcast Communications (the Academy of Broadcasting) , his work at WCSU spanning 23 years of service at Central State University; author of four books and overall 43 years of service in a multitude of categories to the Dayton area community.

Derrick E. Davis described his tribute to John as a prismacolor pencil and oil pastel entitled Kente Soul.

Mr. Davis describes himself as a product of the Dayton Public Schools and graduate of Central State University majoring in Communications with a focus on radio and TV. He worked as a broadcast technician for WOSU at The Ohio State University before returning to the Dayton area. He has won several awards on both the local and national level and his work is included in several corporate art collections.

ROOSEVELT ALUMNI PARTICIPATE IN VISUAL VOICES 2013 DAYTON SKYSCRAPERS V (Submitted by Andrea Walker Cummings, Roosevelt Class of 1968) Under the direction of Willis “Bing” Davis, art curator and world renown artist, Visual Voices is an art exhibit celebrating African-American artists from the Dayton area. Skyscrapers V is the fifth special edition of the exhibit that honors local African-Americans that stand tall in their chosen fields, our community, and our hearts and minds. This year on February 3rd at the Schuster Center, 14 area artists displayed their creative talents in honor of a Skyscraper of their choice. Roosevelt High School alumni were evident in both the group of artists as well as the Skyscrapers that they honored. The full-color program brochures provided artist bios and their displayed work as well as their more in-depth write-ups detailing the contributions to our local community made by their chosen Skyscrapers. Those that proudly included their tie to Roosevelt in the brochure follow:

ROOSEVELT ALUMNI PARTICIPATE IN VISUAL VOICES 2013 Artist Yvette Walker Dalton, RHS graduate 1960, and native of Dayton, received a BA in Fine Arts from Ohio University, and subsequently a Masters of Divinity from the San Francisco Theological Seminary specializing in art and theology. Her professional career as an artist included art teacher for the Cincinnati Board of Education, creator and owner of Creative Design Studios one of the first companies in the nation to design and sell greeting cards and stationery for African Americans, Art Program Director for the Dunbar Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, and glass decorator for Anchor Hocking. As an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church she served as pastor of Shawnee Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky and Associate for the national office of the Presbyterian Church. When she retired in 2010, she was the Associate General Presbyter for the Presbytery of Cincinnati.

Yvette created a portrait using graphite pencil entitled “Born on the Fourth of July, honoring Dr. Artence Walton, retired librarian of the Dayton Public Library.

Dr. Walton is the recipient of numerous local and national awards for her dedication and devotion to her church (Trinity Presbyterian) on the national and local level, several community organizations, and her family.

Walter “Junie” Morrison is a product of Dayton Public Schools and was still at Roosevelt High School when he was recruited by Marshall Jones of the Ohio Players as a keyboard player. Junie started playing piano in church at the age of five and eventually was hired at a young age to play for the church’s junior and adult choirs. At age fourteen his proficiency extended to guitar, drums and various brass instruments. Marshall stated that Junie’s innovative creativity helped put the band on the national map. In the late 70’s he became musical director for Parliament-Funkadelic writing, arranging, producing, recording, and performing with the group helping to propel that group into the forefront of the music scene. Junie’s gifts allowed him to cross many genre of music here in the States as well as overseas.

Artist, James Pate titled his tribute to Walter “Junie” Morrison as Junie: In Techno-Cubism. Mr. Pate is a member of the first graduating class of the Cincinnati High School for Creative and Performing Arts and received additional training at the Cincinnati Art Academy and Central State University. He is a graphic artist, muralist, and educator. Mr. Pate has won numerous awards on the local, regional, and national level. Additionally, he has served as visiting artist at Belmont and Thurgood Marshall High Schools and the Dayton Correction Institute for Women.

BIO Cultural leader, Willis “Bing” Davis was born on June 30, 1937 in Greer, South Carolina to Verona Hargrove Davis Buffington and Livonia “Lee” Davis, a coal truck driver and gospel singer.

Growing up on Dayton, Ohio’s East Side, Davis attended Washington Elementary School. An All-City basketball player at six feet four inches tall, Davis graduated from Wilbur Wright High School in 1955. Willis “Bing” Davis, Community Revitalization Mask #10, Mixed media, Courtesy of the artist, Dayton, Ohio

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RANVILLE T.WOODS

THE BLACK EDISON”

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LACK ISTORY ONTH

lOCAL HISTORY REPORT Granville T. Woods was born in Columbus, Ohio on 23 April 1856 and was the son of former slaves. He had little formal schooling when he began his career as an inventor, but apprenticed in a machine shop and learned the machinist and blacksmith trades. He then worked in a variety of transportation and industrial jobs while continuing to teach himself about electricity and mechanics, occasionally managing to get tutoring or take night courses in engineering (he eventually earned a degree).

Woods eventually settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he turned his attention to inventing. He received his first patent in 1884 for an improved steam boiler furnace. He licensed many subsequent mechanical inventions to the major corporations of the day.

All the while, however, electricity remained his greatest interest. In 1887, he invented what many consider to be his greatest contribution: the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph, which allowed communications between train stations and moving trains. Train accidents and collisions were causing great concern to both the public and the railways at the time. Woods’ invention, which became universally used, made it possible for trains to communicate with the station and with other trains; every dispatcher and every engineer knew exactly where every train was at all times. This invention made train movements quicker and prevented countless accidents and collisions. Woods continued to invent-- he earned a total of 45 U.S. patents-until his death in New York on 30 January 1910. Woods is known to many as “The Black Edison,” because both were great inventors who came from disadvantaged childhoods.

Further Reading 1) Black Inventors in the Age of Segregation: Granville T. Woods, Lewis H. Latimer, and Shelby J. Davidson.

Rayvon Fouche. Baltimore, Maryland

ROOSEVELT ALUMNI HIGH

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NNOUNCEMENTS

ROOSEVELT Class of 1969 Events Event: Bake Sale (held 1st Saturdays of the scheduled months) Location: Trotwood Foodtown 830 E Main St, Trotwood,OH Time: 9a – 3p Dates: April 6, May 4th, June 1st, Jul 6th, Aug 3rd, and Sept 7th Event: Class of 1969 Picnic When: June 29, 2013 Location: Art Van Atta Park (corner of No Dixie and Benchwood Dr) Time: Noon until @ Shelter #2 Coming in Nov 2013 another “bling” affair time and location TBD Upcoming Planning Event Roosevelt Class of 1969 “Seniors” Prom Tentative dates June13-15th, 2014 Tentative location: Holiday Inn, Englewood, OH More details to follow For more information contact: Helen Weaver at 937219-5596 , Barbara Kelly –Grigsby at 937-723-6544 or Gail Blacknell-Robinson at 937-672-0824

RHSAA Alumni meetings 2013 The first two meetings will be held at the Dayton Metro Library located at 215 E. Third Street Dayton.

Sat., Feb. 23, 3-4:30 in the meeting room Sat., May 25, 3-4:30 in the auditorium Sat., Aug. 31, 3-4:30 Meeting in the Park....Possum Creek RHSAA Bowling Parties: Both parties will be at Capri Bowling Lanes located at 2727 S. Dixie Hwy. Kettering, OH 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Bowl two games for $9. 00 per person, shoe rental is included.

Sat., March 23 Sat., November 23 Questions????? Call Sarah at 268-7255

SCHOOL 2013 RHS 1968 CLASS AS SS REUNION COMMITTEE MEETING March 9, 2013 In Attendance: A. Walker Cummings, D. Thompson-Madison, L. Flowers, M. Bruce.

Meeting convened at 2:15 p.m. with a prayer offered by M. Bruce. A. Walker asked for the reading of the minutes from the February 8th meeting. A. Walker motioned for approval of the minutes and D. Madison offered a second. The minutes were accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report: A. Walker stated people are continuing to send in payments towards the fee for the reunion. To date dues payments total: $2,570.00. After expenses and fund raising activities our checking account total is $2,374.59.

Fundraising: A. Walker Cummings reported receiving $30.00 more in notecard money.

Program/Brochure/Favors: No Report Available. Andrea suggested we need to start asking for estimates of the costs involved with purchasing favors, printing programs, purchasing brochures.

Registration/Hospitality: Plans are pending. Andrea suggested we need to start asking for estimates of the costs involved with registration.

Friday Evening Meet & Greet: L. Flowers reported he has checked with two DJ’s and while both are excellent the cost varies between $100 - $250.00. A. Walker Cummings informed L. Flowers that the DJ is for the Saturday evening event and perhaps he and B. Early could work together to find the best one for our needs.

Also, the DJ charging $250.00 requires a signed commitment for that night. Andrea suggested we need to start asking for estimates of the costs involved for Friday night. Andrea noted that everyone is on their own for food and beverages on Friday. Our meeting room for Friday night is adjacent to the restaurant/ bar at the Crowne plaza and ordering drinks/food and consuming them either in our meeting room or the restaurant area will make it convenient for everyone.

Saturday Golf Outing: Andrea reported B. Earley has started negotiations for this function. He has scheduled the tee time at 8:00 a.m. at Yankee Trace Golf Course in Centerville. He is working to have lunch as part of the Green fees. He will have a better idea of what the total golf package will be at the next meeting. o information available for the Saturday activities for non-golfers. Saturday Night Dinner Dance: Andrea reported we have received two quotes from D.J.s for that evening. Both are requiring a minimum of four hours they want to get paid for. Our Saturday activities will start around 7:00 p.m. and conclude around midnight. The two prospective D.J.s are: Stan the Man at a cost of $325.00 and Billy T at a cost of $300.00.

A. Walker Cummings has reworked our contract with the Crowne Plaza for both the space required and our minimum food and beverage requirement more consistent with the number of people responding to date and additional respondents we anticipate. We will be using 2 adjacent rooms on the top floor – one area for the program and dining and the other for dancing.

Next meeting at the Downtown Dayton Public Library - scheduled for Sunday, April 7th – from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meeting convened at 3:30 p.m.

Recorded by: M. Bruce

RS

OOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL PORTS Bobby Early Sports Editor

I readily admit that I LOVE to play GOLF...

I enjoy the comradery with my golf partners in all phases of this great game. Pick-up games, league play games, scrambles,tournaments of all types are all great experiences for me . Recently, I was thinking about being a part of golf from another perspective : VOLUNTEER!!!

I made some inquiries about what it takes and came up with an aggressive schedule for myself ... I will be a volunteer at the 2013 RBC Heritage Golf Tournament held in Harbour Town ,South Carolina , the week of April 15,2013 through April 21, 2013. As a volunteer, you are able to select the areas of interest that you wish to work from a menu of jobs that have been compiled. I chose Hospitality Ambassador and ScoreBoard duties..You are required to work a minimum of 12 hours and to buy a uniform .Uniforms consist of a strawbrim /cap,a shirt, and a jacket that will cost you $100.00 You are upfront and personal with the PGA golfers as a result of the involvement. I will be checking them out and trying to pick-up new drills and techniques that could help me with my golf game. I plan to report back in this column on how everything turns out and what I learned !!

Closer to home and next on my volunteering rotation is the Memorial Tournament held in Dublin,Ohio on May 27,2013 through June 02 ,2013. This PGA event is Jack Nicklaus’s signature event and the entire city of Columbus ,Ohio embraces the spectacle ... The menu of areas needing help consists of 13 specific involvements...

I chose Scoring and Data control and LeaderBoards on both the Front/Back 9 holes of the golf course. It appears to be a very active assignment that I look forward to doing.

The minimum requirement of volunteer hours is 8 hours.

It is“rumored”that at theendof thetournament thereareopportunities for the volunteers to play golf on the course...I hope !!!

Volunteering at the Memorial Tournament, makes you eligible to be a volunteer at the 2013 President’s Cup held at Muirfield Village Golf Club on October 01,2013 through October 06,2013. In addition to volunteering at the Memorial , you must be able to work at least 24 hours at the President’s Cup to be selected...

Registration begins March 01,2013 for this notable involvement... This will be the end of my rotation for 2013..

NOTE : The President’s Cup is being played for the 10th time in 2013. It was developed to give the world’s best Non- European players an opportunity to compete in International team match-play against the USA. A biennial event played in non-Ryder Cup years ..the USA holds a 7-1-1 record in the competition overall...

This will be a HISTORY making event that I will enjoy !!!!

ALUMNI Don Mitchell & Randy Waggoner, Roosevelt Memorial Track and Field Meet 2013 Ron Sanders, RHS Class of 1968 on his 2013 Winter Golf Trip The law of averages finally caught up with me. After 22 years of playing golf, I ran into a golf vacation in Myrtle Beach that was terrible.

A group of 16 golfers experienced a week of cold and windy weather there that rivaled Dayton’s weather for the first week of March. The main objective at the time was to just stay warm any way you could. We woke up to temperatures in the low 30’s. Hit the first tee box about 35 if we were lucky. Wind gusts 20 to 30 mph.

Obviously the Golf Gods were not smiling down on us, and our scores reflected that. Of the four rounds played at the great courses belonging to the Barefoot Resort, only a few shot better than 100, with some coming close to 150. My best all week was 99 and worst 105. Talk about being “Salty”.

I came home very frustrated and with wind burn on my hands and face from the sand blowing across the vast waste areas on every course. Never before has that ever happen to me. Coming home to more cold weather has left me with a chip on my shoulder because I can’t go out and play like I want too. This game has really got me hooked (smile).

Looking forward to a good year health wise and I wish the same to all my classmates.

May 3rd & 4th 2013 Don Mitchell/Randy Waggoner Roosevelt Memorial Track & Field Meet: Dayton, Ohio, Welcome Stadium Mark your calendars Teddies!! The Don Mitchell/Randy Waggoner Roosevelt Memorial Track and Field Meet will be held on Friday, May, 3, 2013 beginning at 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 4, 2013, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The historic “Roosevelt Meet” will feature some of the most outstanding athletes in the states of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. This year features the Ohio 2012 Champions in the following: Division 1 Girls – 400 meter State champion and Division II girls - 400 meter State champion and runner-up. So, we are asking all Roosevelt High School Alumni to come out and support the meet that continues to represent Roosevelt’s Legacy. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please send an email to mitch_wagg_roosevelt_meet@ yahoo.com ( Special Note)...Horace Dozier of The Roosevelt Historic Staff introduces the first ever special appearance of the “Historic Roosevelt Bear” to be on display during the meet. The Roosevelt Bear has not been seen in public for thirty three years.

Submitted by Paula Scott RHSAA (RHS Alumni Association)

ŠVtechpublishing & Timesmedia 2013