Courtesy photo Business agent Houston Whitt, left, with Aaron McCoy Jackson, a dad who learned brickmasonry from his dad and over 41 years bricked many schools, as well as Calhoun, Decatur General Hospital and City Hall.

Jackson receives 41-year pin

Wendy’s word

I am not big on acronyms, but for today I thought it was appropriate, as I pondered the statement “Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” What does it take?

I believe a good one should be ... Fun, Always available, Treats a child with love and compassion, Hears what a little one has to say, Expects nothing in return, and Respects the role, but does not abuse it.

When these are accomplished, I believe a man will walk the bridge from father to dad.

The gift of a precious father is one to be cherished. I am blessed to have a wonderful man to call “Dad,” and my children can say the same about their “Daddy.”

May fathers everywhere enjoy a wonderful day with family, celebrating those fathers who touch our lives and remembering the sweet times and memories we shared with those already gone.

Happy Father’s Day!

Now let’s see what the “chatter” is for today...

Jackson earns 41-year pin

Father’s Day will be a special day for Aaron McCoy Jackson, as he celebrates a 41-year journey in the family business.

A journey that began at age 16 as an apprentice to his father, Aaron Wilson Jackson, was originally sparked as a dream in the third grade.

Now he has his 41-year union pin, along with a continuing passion for masonry.

Through his talents and artistry, he has bricked countless houses and churches in this area, along with commercial buildings including City Hall, Brookhaven Middle School, Decatur General Hospital, Calhoun College Fine Arts Building, Wallace State Community College gym and Fort Decatur.

The story has been passed down for several generations, according to daughter Amy Jackson, about how her great-grandpa William Henry “Pa” Jackson came to Alabama from Georgia on his way to the “gold rush” in California.

With a broken-down wagon at the edge of the Bankhead Forest, he learned the art of bricklaying.

He later taught his four sons the trade. A family tradition was born.

As the first president of the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union of America, “Pa” laid bricks until he was 82, with such credits as bricking the original Gordon - Bibb School, Decatur High School and Decatur’s former high school. The last job he worked on was Lawrence County High School.

“Dad always said much satisfaction is gained from seeing a completed job,” recalls Amy. “He enjoyed working with family members and just enjoyed working with his tools. Some days were very cold and windy, while others were really hot, but he never complained about going to his job because he loved doing it.”

Health problems called Aaron to an early retirement, but he continues to stay involved in the Union because he enjoyed his work that much.

“On this Father’s Day, I am thankful to my dad for teaching his children a good work ethic by example,” says Amy. “I am really proud of my dad.”

Summer dance intensive

Dancers Inc. in Decatur says that seven local dancers have been selected to attend the Seaside Ballet Summer Intensive.

Miriam Biffle, Caroline Elliott, Jane-Anne Elliott, Carol Kaminsky, Lisa Ledbetter, Allie Shelton and Katie Turgeon train with ballet director Nicole Onuszkanycz and will attend the summer study in Seaside, Fla.

“Although students will train under such names as Roberto Munoz, former Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Ballet Master, and Melinda Roy, former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, the setting will be very personal, with a student-to-teacher ratio of
eight to one,” said Jennifer Erickson, owner of Dancers Inc.

This pre-professional summer program is by audition only and also offers a performance opportunity. Attendees will learn choreography and perform on an oceanside stage at the close of the program.

New Miss Alabama

Congratulations to former Miss Point Mallard Jamie Langley of Wadley, who was crowned Miss Alabama 2007.

She will represent the state in the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas. Langley, who competed as Miss Painted Rock, also won a preliminary talent award for her vocal performance of “Listen” from the hit movie “Dreamgirls.”

Katie Boyd, Miss Point Mallard 2006, was named third runner-up.

She also received a preliminary talent award for her ballet performance to “Man of La Mancha” and was named first runner-up in the community service competition for her continued work against underage smoking. Boyd competed as Miss Tombigbee.

Others in the top five were Colene Burns, first runner-up; Elizabeth Cochran, second runner-up; and Whitney Weldon, fourth runner-up. Rounding out the top 10 were Haley Arrington, Jenna Bryant, Barbara Kline, Alicia Lewis and Ryan Omenski. Several of those young women have competed on the Spirit of America stage for the Miss Point Mallard title in the past.

That’s all for now. It’s been great chattin’ with ya!

Let me know what is going on in your little corner of the world. If it’s special to you and features any of the great people who live in our community, then it will make a great Chatterbox item. Just e-mail me at ddchatterbox@yahoo.com, or call me at 350-5730.

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