Lauren Kethan, Day 2: JF Spring Trip

Thursday, February 23, 2012

My day started with a nice surprise!  After a long drive from Memphis to Conway, Arkansas, we were able to see Susan Eisenhower speak about her grandfather (President Eisenhower) and his role in the Civil Rights movement.  The speech was interesting, especially since Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, was in the audience.  Fortunately, we were able to speak with Ms. Eckford after the event, and we event took our picture with her.  Talk about pleasant surprises!

The Junior Fellows with Ms. Elizabeth Eckford

Moving on to the next event on our agenda was tough because there was no way anything could top the experience I had while visiting the beautiful UCA campus. I should have known by our first day of traveling that Junior Fellows trips are filled with unexpected, exciting adventures!

Our next stop was the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, currently occupied by Governor Beebe and his wife, Ginger. The house was spectacular, filled with Arkansas-related history. Our tour guide, Leonard, took us inside throughout the mansion’s public rooms and outside throughout the gardens. There was a children’s playhouse by the vegetable garden that I would have loved to play in when I was a little girl! Before we left the mansion we took a picture with Leonard on the stairs that led up to the living quarters of the Governor and First Lady, and he asked us to send him a copy.  I was very thankful to have had him as our tour guide.

Junior Fellows in AR Governor's Mansion, with Leonard Boyle

Visiting Little Rock Central High School was next on our agenda! The museum across from the school was very interesting and featured many pictures of Ms. Eckford, who we had met earlier in the day.  The photos were reminder of how painful the civil rights process can be, and made us all the more grateful that we were able to meet Ms. Eckford.

As we headed across the street toward Little Rock Central High I heard a familiar tune that my mind associated with the beach, flip-flops, and snow cones.  In other words, there was an ice-cream truck headed my way! I caught the driver’s attention just in time to get myself a deliciously cold treat.

After leaving Little Rock Central High we headed toward an old water mill that was featured in the famous movie, “Gone with the Wind.” It was a beautiful sight to see!

Junior Fellows at the Old Mill

To close the evening, we spent some time on the River Walk. We arrived just in time to see the sun set over the Arkansas River–by far, the absolutely most breathtaking, picturesque moment I have experienced. The way that the last little bit of sun light shimmered on the water was something everyone should see at least once in their life!

Little Rock Skyline, From the Junction Bridge

All in all, Arkansas treated me extremely well today and I, without a doubt, will bring my family with me the next time I visit this eventful state!

Santiago Casas: Day 2, JF Spring Trip

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Dawn of the second day and we were back at it again.  I was making a return visit to Little Rock, yet today, as Texans might say, was a whole new rodeo.

After a three-hour drive from Memphis, we arrived in Conway, Arkansas at about 10:00 am.  Conway is the home to the University of Central Arkansas, and they had a lot going on today.  Jesse Jackson was coming in later that day, but we were there to see Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Eisenhower.  She discussed his role in the Civil Rights movement, and it made for an intriguing morning.  For example, she described the mutual affection and admiration that he shared with his valet Sgt. Mahoney, an African American, and the first-ever African-American pallbearer for a President.

Eisenhower was criticized for not speaking out more on racial matters, but Ms. Eisenhower argues that critics are misreading the historical record.  Ike desegregated the military, enforced desegregation in Arkansas, appointed Supreme Court Justices that pushed for Civil Rights, signed the 1957 Civil Rights Act into law, and spoke out for the much stronger 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Apart from Civil Rights, Eisenhower signed the bill initiating NASA, balanced the budget, and averted foreign crisis. A neat little fact about President Eisenhower that was told by Susan was that on his Oval Office desk laid a paper weight with the inscription, “Gentle in manner, strong in deed”.

We then headed to the state’s capital, Little Rock, where we toured the Governor’s mansion. It was my first visit to a Governor’s mansion.  It was a nice and elegant housed filled with lots of history. My favorite part was the majestic chandelier in the middle of the Grand Hall. Interestingly this chandelier was made in our very own state of Texas. The funny part of the story is that Arkansas’ state insect is the honey bee, but the makers in Texas added bumble bee instead. I guess everything is BIGGER in Texas.

Arkansas Governor's Mansion

Soon after, we headed over to the Little Rock Central High School, the site of the 1957 Civil Rights crisis. As I stood on the same steps that they walked on 55 years previously, I felt history come alive.  They had hatred and oppression thrown at them, and that had an impact on me, especially since we had just had our picture taken with Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, earlier today at the University of Central Arkansas. The civil rights era was not too long ago, yet it seems so distant to many of us in my generation. But today the present and the past collided and I was there to witness it.

Little Rock Central High

None of us were particularly hungry, so we killed a little time at the Old Mill and the Junction Bridge, two beautiful Arkansas landmarks.  Both locations were well suited to photography and for relaxing and taking in the amazing scenery.

Junior Fellows at the Old Mill

The best way to cap a good day is with a good meal.  Damgoode Pies offered that meal.  I ordered my favorite pizza, the Hawaiian, and it was delicious and filling.  I am actually still stuffed, but I am not complaining, not since our advisors put in a $5 per whine user fee.

The trip is going according to plan, and well beyond my expectations. I can only look forward to tomorrow’s adventure and what awaits us.

Christian Bionat: Day 2, JF Spring Trip

Thursday, February 23, 2012

This morning we drove from Memphis to Conway, Arkansas, where we heard Susan Eisenhower speak about her grandfather, President Eisenhower, and his role in the integration of Little Rock Central High.  The event was hosted by the University of Central Arkansas, and was timed to coincide roughly with the 55^th anniversary of Little Rock’s integration.

Ms. Eisenhower is an historian and expert in International Relations, and it was nice to hear her historical and personal accounts of her grandfather’s actions.

Susan Eisenhower

The events were brought to an even more personal level, however, by the presence of Elizabeth Eckford in the row immediately in front of us.  Ms. Eckford, of course, was one of the Little Rock Nine, one of the few students specifically selected to attend what was then an all-white school.  The photo of her being screamed at by a white student as she entered the school is one of the iconic images of the Civil Rights movement.

Elizabeth Eckford

We were able to meet Ms. Eckford, speak with her, and take a photograph with her.  She also signed the program, as did Ms. Eisenhower.  It was a great experience.

Junior Fellows with Elizabeth Eckford

Following the event at the University of Central Arkansas, we traveled to Little Rock where we got an exclusive tour of the Governor’s Mansion. The mansion, which is made up of 300,000 bricks, was completed in 1950 and the first governor to live in it was Sid McMath. Since then, the mansion added a foyer and a grand hall, one that was very impressive.  My favorite item in the mansion was the chandelier in the foyer from Paris which took over 3 months to piece together. However, the chandelier in the Grand Hall was made in Dallas, Texas which was twice as big – Everything is bigger in Texas!

By mid-afternoon, with our day already shaping as a busy one, we toured Little Rock Central High and its accompanying museum.  There, I learned that the 101^st Airborne Division from Ft. Campbell, KY—the Screaming Eagles—were the ones that secured the school and escorted the Little Rock Nine to school.  Ike, of course, commanded them to assist with the integration, just as he had ordered them a decade before to liberate Europe.

We later visited Pugh’s Old Mill that was featured in the Gone with the Wind. Pugh’s Mill was simply breath taking. Many nuptial festivities have taken place in the North Little Rock area park, and for good reason.  It’s a beautiful park, with many picturesque features.

The original architecture for the mill was done by Justin Matthews and the details were sculpted by Senor Dionico Rodriguez. The park is adorned with bridges that are molded concrete, designed to resemble sculpted wood.  We took numerous photographs highlighting the beauty of the park. This by far has been my favorite location/stop on the trip, and I would love to return. I suggest any fan of Gone with the Wind should visit the park.

Junior Fellows at The Old Mill

Before going to dinner we stopped by the River Market to tour the riverside district and walk on Junction Bridge overlooking the Arkansas River.

For dinner, we ate at Damgoode Pies where I split a supreme pizza with Lauren and ordered a half-dozen hot wings. Soon after, we made it back to Conway and are now preparing for a day full of festivities, beginning with a 6:00 am hike to a waterfall.

Until Tomorrow….

 

Lauren Kethan, Day 1: Spring JF Trip

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

We got an early start this morning. By early I mean the 2:00 am kind of early. Most of us fell asleep instantly, but it took some a while to find the best way to sleep comfortably. When I awoke, we were almost in Arkansas!  Lucky for me, I awoke in time to take a picture by the Arkansas state line.

Ryan, Lauren, and Santiago at the Arkansas State Line

We visited President Bill Clinton’s grandparents’ home, which is where he was brought home from the hospital in Hope, Arkansas. Next stop, Memphis!

Our first stop to make in Memphis was to eat some good ole’ country fried chicken at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken! There was a wait to be seated, so we roamed about a bit and looked over the surrounding area.  Memphis is clearly struggling economically.  There’s a lot of standing water, trash, and vacant buildings there.  Next door to our restaurant was an empty lot with trash in it.  The fence separating the two property lines had razor wire along the top although, curiously, the gate was left wide open.

Junior Fellows In An Abandoned Warehouse Near Gus's

Who would have thought such an amazing restaurant would be located in this area? The food was superb and their sweet tea was the best I have ever had!

After lunch we headed to the National Civil Rights Museum. The museum brought to life a lot of the historical facts I have learned in school about the struggle African Americans face. The one event that hit home with me that was featured at the museum was the murder of Emmett Till.

Till was supposedly flirting with the wife of the owner of a grocery store in Mississippi, so the husband and his half brother went to Emmett’s uncle’s house and began to torture him. Emmett’s body was found three days later in the Tallahatchie River. The store owner and his brother were tried and ultimately found NOT guilty. This event was a milestone in the Civil Rights Movement, spurring many Americans to action.

While at the National Civil Rights Museum we also were able to view the exact spot where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot outside his room on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel. The Museum incorporated the two rooms he had rented. Next door to the Lorraine, you could see the vantage point the shooter had when he murdered Dr. King.

Our next stop was to Sun Studio, the birth place of Rock-n-Roll. There we learned how and why the rock-n-roll genre was created. We were also able to see the recording studio where stars like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash got their start.

Lauren at the Drums, Sun Studio

The most amusing part of the tour at Sun Studio was being able to stand in the exact spot that Elvis Presley stood and even take a picture with a microphone he once used. Following the recording studio we had the privilege of driving by Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. We stopped by a famous stone wall where Elvis fans display their love for the rock-n-roll King; I added my sentiments with a black Sharpie.

Lauren Defacing Graceland's Wall

For dinner, we went to Beale Street. It was amazing–so many lights and loud music! King’s Palace was our restaurant choice, and after eating Gumbo and Gator Chips I didn’t regret the decision to eat there.

Leaving Beale Street was a perfect ending to an incredibly exciting day! I can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store!

Justin Beiser, Day 1: JF Spring Trip

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Day one began in the wee hours of the morning—at 3:00am.  We passed through my old stomping grounds of Texarkana, Texas as the sun began to rise, on our way to our first stop in Hope, Arkansas. Hope is the birthplace of the 42^nd President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton. We were able to take a peek into the house where President Clinton was born and drive by the second house in which he lived.

Junior Fellows at Clinton's First Home

After our stop in Hope we continued on our journey to Memphis. Along the way we listened to the musical stylings of Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison—artists with Memphis/Little Rock roots.

Around noon we made our way into Memphis, Tennessee, eager to stretch our legs and fill our tummies.  Our first stop in Memphis was Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken.  I normally do not care for fried chicken (yes, I understand this should be punished by deportation according to some people), but I would recommend Gus’s everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. 

I tried fried green tomatoes for the first time and they were wonderful. I was hesitant at first since I don’t like tomatoes, but these were surprisingly tasty. Along with the fried green tomatoes we tried Gus’s fried pickles. Now my stance on pickles is a complete 180 degrees from tomatoes.  I love pickles and have never tried a pickle that I did not enjoy. These were wonderful, as to be expected after the fried green tomatoes.

Finally came our meal, which Jennifer, our lovely waitress, had suggested–a family platter served on an open tray.  The 20-piece meal came with about a half a loaf of bread and two large sides (Cole slaw and baked beans).  After giving our best efforts, only a few straggling chicken pieces were left and we were all satisfied. Jennifer was kind enough to join the Junior Fellows for a photo opportunity to mark our first official meal of the trip.

Junior Fellows with Jennifer, an Employee at Gus's World Famous Chicken

With our stomachs full we headed to our next stop just a few blocks away, The National Civil Rights Museum and Lorraine Motel (the site of the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination).  During our visit I had a different kind of feeling in my stomach. The awful things depicted at the National Civil Rights Museum are hard to fathom from a country that boasts a love of liberty.  Standing feet away from where Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered magnified that sinking feeling and the view from where James Earl Ray pulled the trigger was unsettling.

The trip soon took on a more happy tone when we made our third stop in Memphis, at Sun Studio, where many stars of the 1950s got their first breaks. Shortly after Elvis Presley graduated from high school, for example, he stopped by Sun Studio in 1953 and began his music career with an amateur recording done for his mom.  At the time, Sun Studio offered a reduced-price service to amateur musicians, allowing them to record on their own without the help of professionals.  For four dollars young Elvis Presley recorded his first track.  The Studio is also home to music greats such as Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins. 

Justin "Beiber" Beiser

After we finished at Sun Studios we made a feeble attempt at a reenactment of a photo of Presley, Perkins, Cash, and Orbison titled “Million Dollar Quartet.”

The Boys Feeble Attempt at a Then-And-Now Photograph.

We then headed to Graceland (the home of Elvis Presley).  Unfortunately, Graceland was closed for the day but the Junior Fellows were able to snap a few photos and pay homage to the King of Rock-n-Roll. 

We decided to top of the wonderful day with dinner on Beale Street, a Memphis landmark. Beale Street has been the heart of the Memphis music scene for the better part of the century, pulling musicians from all across the Mississippi Delta.  King’s Palace was the location of choice, and it did not disappoint.  Sticking with a theme of adventure and trying new things, I tried “Gator Chips,” deep-fried alligator meat. These were amazing. Christian and I split the Cajun Sampler for two, which consisted of two blackened catfish filets over a bed of rice, two “voodoo” grilled chicken breasts, a bowl of Jambalaya, a bowl of Gumbo, and side orders of “voodoo” potatoes and fried green tomatoes (yes, I had them again!). 

The Beale Street environment lived up to the hype with live music flooding the streets from each doorway.  My only regret for our visit to Memphis is that we did not have more time.  This is definitely a place I would visit again!

Santiago Casas, Day 1: JF Spring Trip

Wednesday, February 22, 2012: Santiago Casas

Today was a busy day, and it’s only the beginning of the Mid South Trip. I have been to Memphis before, but today was a new adventure. There is so much to do here, and only one day to do it in. The trip getting here wasn’t much of a “sleep in” day. The odyssey began at 3:00 am as we made our way through Texas, Arkansas, and, finally, the Volunteer State. The ride wasn’t bad, especially since I slept through most of it. I was, however, one of the few troopers who volunteered to get out of the car to take pictures at the Arkansas state line.

While in Arkansas, we also briefly visited the childhood home of our 42^nd President, Bill Clinton, in Hope.

From Hope we drove to Memphis and grabbed a quick lunch at this down-home cooking restaurant called Gus’s World Famous Chicken. This is one southern-style restaurant that all non-natives to the city should try.

Our next destination was the site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the Lorraine Motel, where the National Civil Rights Museum is located. The museum chronicles monumental episodes of the American civil rights movement and the legacy of this movement–to inspire participation in civil and human rights efforts globally–through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

 We then drove to and toured Sun Studio.  It was REALLY good.  Our tour guide, Jayne, showed us some old record-making equipment, but the main part of the tour was in the studio itself. We listened to the very first ever recording of Elvis Presley, a jam session between Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, and we got to see the drum kit used on three tracks of U2′s Rattle ‘n Hum album.

Santiago "Elvis" Casas

Later in the evening we went to the King’s Palace Café on Memphis’s famous Beale Street. I ordered the Shrimp Po’Boy and shared some Gumbo, which was the house’s specialty.  Both were delicious, offering a zesty taste to satisfy your taste buds.

Today was a fun-filled day. It was a nice chance to get to know my colleagues better and, as the newest member of the Junior Fellows, helped me gain sense of unity, and the feeling that I can rely on them.  Interestingly, in going away on a trip like this, it makes us a better team, which helps us become more effective in carrying out our mission at SHSU and in Huntsville, too.

Ryan Brim, Day 1: JF Spring Trip

Wednesday, February 22, 2012: Ryan Brim

Today, day one of our trip, we arrived in Arkansas around 7:30am and made it into Tennessee not long after.  This is my first trip to Tennessee, and I was looking forward to seeing Memphis.

The first place that we stopped at was Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken.  Even though there were seven of us, we failed at finishing our 20-piece chicken platter.  The food was great there, and our waitress, Jennifer, was very friendly.  I even tried fried green tomatoes and fried pickles for the very first time.  We loaded up into the car for our next stop, and even though Christian had said he was full, he immediately started to eat from his bag of snacks. 

Next, the Junior Fellows and I visited the Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.  The Museum provided an interesting timeline of civil rights history, offering many interactive exhibits (which I always like) and some disturbing photographs of racism.  The photos of lynching were the hardest to look at.  There wasn’t, however, much about Gandhi, which I thought was a little odd.

After picking out a few souvenirs at the Civil Rights Museum Gift Store, we headed to Sun Studio, home of many famous stars, such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison.  I bought a metal Sun Studio Record to hang on my wall, and we listened to Sun Studio Music in the car the rest of the day.

Ryan, Taking His Turn As The "King"

 

After that we drove to a park down by the Mississippi River, and the Junior Fellows and I had a photo op while posing on public art.  We checked into our hotel, which we found easily, and then we had dinner around 7:30pm at a place on Beale Street called King’s Palace. The food there was good, but the bread pudding that I probably shouldn’t have eaten was even better. 

It was a good first day, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow…except for getting up early.