While in Americus for a Grand Youth Officers Retreat, the officers of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter and the Prince Hall Grand Youth Chapter traveled to Plains, GA for a tour of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. The group of nineteen (19) was greeted by a welcoming committee consisting of Sister A.B. Jackson-Merritt, Mr Gary Ingram, National Park Service, State Senator George Hooks, Dr Jimmy Bagwell, Historian and Mayor Pro Tem of Plains, GA, Donna Windham, City Clerk of Plains, Mrs Annette Wise, Steve Theus of the Jimmy Carter NHS Education Program, Brother Gary Felder of Herman Lodge #51 of Montezuma, GA., and a host of other Eastern Star Sisters.
After being greeted, the group assembled at the Boyhood Farm of President Carter where park employees, Mr. Gabriele Laster, Mr LaDarius Barron, and Ms. Tabitha Thompson gave a very detailed tour of the grounds and house. The youth were quite interested in everything shared by the tour guides and had a host of questions. At the end of this tour, everyone was given a bag of boiled peanuts and an opportunity to pick an ear of corn. The second site was the Plains High School Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. After being once again welcomed by the Superinte dant of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Mr. Gary Ingram, Dr. Jimmy Bagwell shared memories of both President Carter and himself of events during their childhood in the community and school. Dr Bagwell captured the interest of everyone with a vivid recollection of Mrs. Julia's class followed by a short film on President Carter. Afterwards, the group ate a wonderfully prepared meal at Mom's Kitchen. We sat for a while enjoying every morsel and talking about the morning's events. Full and satisfied, we went across the street to tour the Plains Train Depot, demonstrated by Park Ranger Gabriele Laster, The beautiful Plains Inn and Antique Mall and Shops shown by Ms. Jan Williams. The Plains Peanut where we enjoyed samples of Peanut Butter Ice Cream and Peanuts which is owned and operated by Mr. Bobby Salters. The last leg of the tour was a stop at the Plains Welcome Center.
Representing the group were the following persons:
Sister Marilyn Moore, Grand Worthy Matron
Sister Eddie Lee Marsh, Grand Youth Directress
Sister Mary A James, Grand Youth Secretary
S O'terica Tift, Grand Youth President (Outgoing)
Nylea Hayes, Grand Youth President (Incoming)
Nytese Lemons, Grand Youth Assistant Conductess
Stephanie Knight, Grand Youth Treasurer
Quaniqua Epps, Grand Youth Assistant Treasurer
Cortez Harris, Grand Youth Chaplain
Nicholas Clements, Grand Youth Assistant Chaplain
Thomas McIver, Grand Youth Guardians
Adriel Evans and Ivan Adams, Grand Youth Sentinels
Tajae Smith, Grand Youth Marshal
Sister Brenda Carswell, Sister Sherri Davis, Sister Hazel McIver, Sister Faye Butts and Sister Josephine Simpson, District Worthy Matron #14 - Americus Hosting Committee
Sister Alice R. Muff, Committtee Member, Chapter # 200
Sister Katie Johnson, Committee Member, Chapter # 26
Sister Christine Kingdom, Committee Member, Chapter # 88
Sister Earlene Lester, WM, Committee Member, Chapter # 88
Brother Clifford Merritt, PDDGM # 17
Brother Perry Burton, Member # 17