Although Pete Sessions has been in Congress for 20-plus years, he has only represented the Huntsville area for less than a year. In that time, he’s held several events here, and this week, he held a “town hall.” With him were district staff, including Ingrid Cuero, an SHSU student interning in his office. I was also there to take photos, and to catch up on the goings-on in Washington.
Congressman Sessions began by providing updates on legislation everyone should be aware of during session, including healthcare, Medicare, border security and inflation. With all these issues on the table, it’s no surprise there were many folks from the community on hand, many of them with a lot to say.
In addition, it was nice to see many of our local officials on hand, including County Judge, Colt Christian; County Clerk, Leslie Woolley; District Attorney, Will Durham; Mayor Andy Brauninger; City Manager, Aron Kulhavy; Assistant City Manager Sam Masiel.
As a LEAP Ambassador, it was also nice to see many from the University present. We were able to say hi to SHSU’s Chief Strategy Officer, General Glaser; Vice President of University Advancement, Matthew Bethea; Deputy to the President, McCartney Johnson; Executive Assistant, Jennifer Alexander. The University has been very supportive of our internship programs and us individually, giving us a lot to be grateful for.
It’s great to see our University officials, local officials, and congressional representatives working together!
The Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics is non-partisan.The Center does provide internships to elected officials of both parties, and LEAP Ambassadors often attend town-halls, council meetings, or commissioner court meetings to become more informed about their community.
The LEAP Center is known for its emphasis on civic and community engagement, and for good reason. But LEAP students also value a well-rounded education, and that involves the performing arts. So, in a month in which Ambassadors have seen the play “Wicked” and “Pirates of Penzance,” Ambassadors also decided to attend a book discussion of Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.”
What does this novel have to do with the performing arts? The Alley Theatre is currently performing this play, and we will be attending it on August 13. In advance of that performance, however, we visited Murder by the Book, where the book store hosted Mark Shanahan, the Director of Ackroyd and, as it turns out, a wonderful storyteller!
Shanahan discussed his career on the stage, both as a director and as an actor, and he also shared with us the fact that his sister (Christin Brecher) is a crime novelist, and she had a couple of books in the store!
Shanahan also explored the challenges and intrigues of presenting an Agatha Christie play. While Christie was a playwright of note, but The Murder of Roger Ackroyd hasn’t been adapted to the stage. It’s always challenging to adapt a beloved book, especially a whodunit that has been around for almost 100 years–because people already know whodunit!
But Shanahan obviously relishes the challenge, and many in the audience had seen some of the preview performances, and they had good things to say. With that encouragement, we sought out Shanahan for some photos, and we were fortunate to be joined by a couple members of the Ackroyd crew.
Although these preliminary reviews were very positive, we will return with the definitive review following our visit to the Alley on August 13!
This was a special day of sorts. We were headed to see the play, “Wicked,” which was named after our President-Elect, Morgan Robertson. Moreover, it was her birthday–21st, no less. So, we let her choose the place to eat!
She chose “A Taste of Greece,” because Mediterranean is her favorite type of food, and because it is within walking distance of the Fox Theatre, where her biopic was being performed.
The restaurant offered many umami plates, but the ones that caught our eyes and proved to be delicious mouthfuls were the Greek Melt, the From Greece with Love Platter consisting of gyro meat, pork and chicken skewers, and Greek Meatballs served with green beans, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce.
We wished we could’ve stayed to enjoy our meals a little longer, but with every passing minute, a wicked play awaited us.
Wicked
By Morgan Robertson
“It’s time to Trust (our) instincts, close (our) eyes and LEAP!”
–From “Defying Gravity,” in “Wicked.”
Our trip has been full of many athletic, educational, historical, political, and after tonight, entertaining events! The last night of our trip, we checked the entertainment box, and made our way to the historic Fox Theatre to watch their rendition of “Wicked,” the musical.
We were amazed by the grandeur of the Theatre…
…and hastily made our way to our seats.
Despite what the professional advisement of LEAP thinks, not all LEAP Ambassadors are wicked. However, we all have varying degrees of interest in the “Wizard of Oz.” But, of the LEAP Ambassadors, I am perhaps the most unfamiliar with musicals. Due to my familial ties to Kansas, I was raised near the setting of the movie. So, I made an exception and was excited to learn more about the Wicked Witch of the West. I even wore green for the evening!
“Wicked” begins with a frame narrative starting with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North as she brings the good news to the Munchkins that the Wicked Witch is dead. The lively songs harken memories of the original story, and a shrill voice says, “I’m melting, I’m melting!” The delighted munchkins rejoice in the good deeds done by their valiant protector, a midwestern farm girl and her little dog.
Everyone knows the Wicked Witch as Dorothy’s antagonist, but on Thursday night, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) was good. Elphaba became a fiercely loyal sister, an unlikely best friend, defender of the meek and unspoken for, and a true heroine with a happy ending. From start to finish, “Wicked” had the entirety of the Theatre bellowing in laughter as all these aspects of Elphaba were explored.
I would be remiss if I did not bring attention to the musical talent and songs. As a group, “Defying Gravity” was our favorite, where Elphaba learns of her true capabilities and sets off to save the animals of Oz. Another favorite was “For Good” as it very sweetly and impactfully shows the true nature of Elphaba’s friendship with Glinda.
Without divulging into every element of irony or song, “Wicked” became a newfound favorite musical of mine. It was an incredible way to close our night, ending our trip on a very pleasing ‘note’!
And with that, LEAP’s 8-day exploration of the Deep South came to an end! We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Georgia and South Carolina and learn about their individually rich and fascinating history.
Our fun-filled day continued with our theme of public engagement, both historic and contemporary, with our visit to the High Art Museum. We were immediately off to a great start, as on our walk to the building, we walked by a wonderful piece from Lichtenstein’s “House” series.
The aluminum sculpture is an optical illusion, or trompe-l’œil, that shifts perspective at various angles, a bizarre sight to pass at a steady walking pace. Also outside sat Rodin’s “The Shade”, which in hindsight was most definitely one of my favorite sights at the museum.
The museum offered numerous works that provided a distinctive and captivating experience for the entire group. One collection, in particular, delved into the African diaspora and its connection with the rising popularity of folk art during the same historical period. Bruce Onobrakpeya, a Nigerian painter and printmaker, had several pieces with Christian influences. His “Station of the Cross” series was fascinating to view, with the differences in technique from its Western counterparts.
Though we undoubtedly saw many unfamiliar and enthralling pieces, there were some notable names we identified from their undeniable technique and style; such as Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keefe, Mary Cassatt, and John Singer Sargent. We were delighted to further build on our prior associations with these artists through the exhibits as we pressed forward.
One of the best collections was the museum’s mid-century modern display. There were famous artists who made great contributions to the era, such as Ellsworth Kelly, spread across the museum.
However, the most impressive collection of a mid-century modern artist was Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect widely known for his innovative designs and meticulous detail, one of his most famous works being a home known as “Fallingwater”. The High Museum had several pieces of furniture, such as different armchairs and my personal favorite; a desk with shelving units that appeared to be floating at certain angles.
There were also decorative accents from Wright that were specific to the homes he would design, such as a giant, blue-mirrored clock, and custom stained glass.
It was also interesting to see Morgan rush to works of art that she previously claimed to not understand or actively dislike. Previously on Morgan’s list of banned artwork were almost anything modern, certainly anything abstract, and of particular dislike was Rothko.
But on this day she bounced up to the Rothko with a smile, as though she were greeting an old friend.
She showed a similar ebullience upon seeing an Ellsworth Kelly, whom, before today, she said, she “didn’t get.”
When we asked for clarification, we got a look that said, “Drop it.” So, we did.
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In the contemporary section, we came across an untitled piece from Anish Kapoor, the artist recognized for Chicago’s reflective sculpture “Cloudgate” (otherwise known as “The Bean”). This particular work, shaped as a concave dish, is a multisensory experience. As you step closer, you can simultaneously view fractured, mirrored images of yourself, while also having your voice and hearing distorted from a few feet behind you. We played around with this scientific masterpiece for a good while, alternating places and marveling at our distorted voices, which were somehow louder than usual.
The High Museum of Art possesses an eclectic collection, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring it in their beautiful and spacious facility. The thoughtful curation of each space enhanced our viewing experience, making it a truly enriching visit.
Visiting State Capitols is a bit of a LEAP tradition, combining politics, architecture, history, and–often–art into a single structure! So Jessica Cuevas, Olivia Discon, Morgan Robertson, Michelle Cardenas, and I decided to delve deeper into Georgia’s past by adding our second state capitol building on this trip to our docket. Our journey, led by Morgan, took us through significant historical events, remarkable personalities, and captivating architecture.
One of the striking statues that greeted us during our visit was that of Ellis Gibbs Arnall, a visionary and influential figure in Georgia’s political landscape. His journey began in 1932 when he was elected as a House Member, and he subsequently held roles as Speaker of the House and Attorney General before being elected Governor. Arnall’s time in office was marked by progressive policies and far-reaching reforms. He was instrumental in improving the prison system, abolishing poll taxes, and establishing an employment merit system.
Ellis Arnal on the Capitol grounds
As we wandered through the Capitol, we were captivated by the statue of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts . Juliette’s dream was to empower young girls and women through education, community service, and outdoor activities. Some may say LEAP resembles similar desires out of our organization, but we unfortunately do not have any cookies.
Juliette Gordon Low
As we explored the corridors adorned with portraits of influential figures, we were fortunate to come across a portrait of former President Jimmy Carter, who also served as Governor of Georgia. It was a flattering portrait.
This encounter held special significance, as we had visited the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum only a week prior. Born in Plains, Georgia, President Carter’s legacy as a champion of human rights, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts has earned him immense respect both nationally and internationally. Seeing his portrait in the Capitol added a personal touch to our journey, connecting us to the larger tapestry of Georgia’s history and its global impact.
Our visit to the Georgia State Capitol Building was a journey through time, unraveling the historical significance and architectural splendor of this beautiful structure.
From the design , every aspect of the Capitol bore witness to Georgia’s vibrant past. The educational experience will stay with us, as we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the state’s remarkable heritage and the individuals who have shaped it.
More than 450 people turned out to advocate for CASA–a worthy organization that advocates on behalf of children in Walker, San Jacinto, and Trinity counties. Once a year, they bring supporters together for their annual “Christmas in July” fundraiser, and this year the result was a sell-out.
The evening began at 5pm, with an hour of mingling, “shopping,” dining, and other festivities. It gave us a chance to catch up with each other and our table mates.
Our tables consisted of: Ken and Nicole Holland, Michelle Spencer and Jessica Twardesky, Judge David Moorman and Christie Moorman, Mac and Leanne Woodward, Mike Yawn and Stephanie Fors, Victoria McClendon-Leggett, Roxana Woychesin, and various LEAP Ambassadors.
In addition, we had a chance to run into community friends. One of the nice aspects of volunteering for different organizations, for example, is that we get to see people we volunteer with elsewhere! We had the opportunity to chat with Dottie, a committed member of the Lion’s Club, who joins us at 6 am to put out flags on major holidays.
We also ran into Nancy Ormsby, who was volunteering, which is no surprise. She and her sister, Lois Stehlik, volunteer everywhere–they are great community assets.
At 6pm, the Bingo commenced. Rob Hipp was on hand to emcee;
CASA board members and advocates volunteered;
…team members from SHSU football served as auction spotters;
…SHSU Volleyball members helped put up tables and chairs at the end; and LEAP Ambassadors were on hand, not only as paying guests, but also to assist with the auction and take photographs.
There were 15 games of Bingo in all, with variations on the game in full force.
Hipp did a good job of moving things along, and about halfway through, we took a “game-break” for a live auction (thank you Kevin McMillian!) of children’s paintings.
Some sold for more than a thousand dollars!
Additional funds were raised through “adoptions,” a silent auction, and a call for donations. Last year, the event raised more than $100,000, a testament to the generosity of the community and to the staff at CASA.
In addition to the funds raised for a good cause, there was a whole lot of fun going on. There were, of course, 15 bingo winners, and there were winners for “Best Dressed,” “Best Christmas-Spirit Costumes,” and “most generous table.”
The winners were typically thrilled, and they were gracious, although the “bingo-offs,” which occur when two or more individuals “bingo” on the same call, could get heated…
But, of course, everyone ended up friends.
People returned to the many stations to meander to, seeing what could be bid on, tables of friendly people to converse with, and a photogenic selfie station.
This led to much fun, as did winning. One of our table members, Michelle Spencer, Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County, won the blackout contest!
As noted, with 15 games of Bingo, there were many winners, and that doesn’t include those who won the raffles, the drawings, or the silent and live auctions. Of course, the biggest winners are those who most need some wins in their lives: the children whose families are caught up in court actions. The funds raised from this event go to support those children, ensuring they have outcomes that provide them with the best chances in life.
And, in a larger sense, everyone who attended the event was a winner in that they were all contributing to a cause that helps our community become stronger–and that’s a big win!
The South Carolina legislature sure knows how to wrap up a successful conference. On the final day of the SLC, the Council of State Governments–South and the Palmetto State’s Legislature put on a wonderful “State Dinner”–a first for most of the LEAP Ambassadors in attendance.
It was a night of class, elegance, and most importantly, celebration. We gathered at The Gaillard Center, which is home to a beautiful ballroom and a tremendous theater. In our minds, we pretended the theatre was named for our Vice-Provost, Dr. Anne Gaillard, making us feel more at home.
Entering in style, we made our way through the crowds to be seated for dinner.
The dinner began with an opening speech from Senator Thomas Alexander, President of the South Carolina Senate. He thanked everyone in attendance, welcomed us to the beautiful venue, and discussed the plans for the evening, which included an invocation by Senator Jackson and the presentation of colors by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
One of the louder traditions of the event is the annual Flag Parade, which involves recognition of each state in the southern delegation (15 states), a fun fact or two about each state, and members of that state’s delegation walking (or parading) around the dinner event, often to cheers.
In Texas’s case, there were also some boos, initiated by some unruly Oklahomans (I know, that’s redundant).
The states were introduced in order of their entrance to the Union, which put Oklahoma last. In fact, Oklahoma isn’t really a southern state, but the Midwestern Legislative Council didn’t want them, and the Southern delegation, being hospitable, begrudgingly accepted them as long as they promised to pay their dues on time.
About the time we received our dinner–a wonderful mix of steak, hashed potatoes, broccolini, and a crab salad–we were also introduced to “Kingdom Come,” an A Capella musical group who performed a delightful and interesting mix of music: “Seven Bridges Road,” “The Longest Time,” “Danny Boy,” “Down to the River to Pray,” and “Grand Old Flag.”
We also had a chance to converse with those at our tables, which incoluded lobbyists, lawyers, and elected officials. Since we all wish to do some combination of politics and law, this was fortuitous seating.
The SLC also uses this occasion to award those who have excelled in some way, and it was inspiring to see who was awarded during the 77th conference gathering.
Our dinner came to an end after the last award was presented, but the entertainment was just getting started.
The last surprise prepared for the evening was a concert performed by the band NEEDTOBREATHE. The band opened their performance with the song “The Outsiders,” a country rock tune that got everyone on their feet.
The band performed some of their most famous hits, including one of my personal favorites, “West Texas Wind.”
To bring the evening full circle, they performed their last two songs A Capella, which added a very personal touch to the evening.
The state dinner was a beautiful way to spend our last night in the City of Charleston, an unforgettable city full of southern hospitality, great food, and entertainment.
After dancing and singing our hearts out, we successfully completed the 77th Southern Legislative Conference!
As we learned two days ago through our conference programs, tourism plays a huge role in Charleston’s economy, and SLC does a great job of incorporating tours into the sessions offered through the conference. With my love for architecture, and Ingrid’s considerable interest in flora, there seemed no better activity for us than the Houses and Gardens Tour!
Our guide, Mimi, was an expert on the homes on the tour as well as local history.
Interesting tidbits of Charleston:
Charleston has a history of destructive fires. Following the first fire of 1730, a city ordinance was passed stating that all kitchens must be separate from the main house. Luckily for 21st century Charlestonians, this is no longer the case. Of these fires, arguably the worst was in the Ansonborough fire of 1838, which laid waste to many houses and buildings. Consequently, many of the existing homes in Charleston were built in 1840 or after.
These homes largely come in two styles: single house or double house. A single house design is a structure that is only as wide as one room and extends towards the back of the property.
A double house design is the same idea, but it is two-rooms wide.
Despite the fires, the structures built following the last major fire have largely been preserved. The major reason for this is that Charleston was the first city in America to pass a historic zoning ordinance to preserve the historic downtown that we saw today.
One thing we soon noticed in the homes–and on a notable fountain in the city–is the prevalence of pineapples. These items were considered exotic, coming from the Caribbean and even more distant lands, so when captains would return from their journeys, they would often place pineapples outside of their home, to symbolize a safe return. These also could represent a message of “I’m back,” a sort-of invitation to visit. And grocers, of course, would put out pineapples as a message of having received a new shipment of items–again, suggesting that people “come on in.” Thus, they stand for hospitality and are often associated with wealth.
We visited many houses, in some cases having the opportunity to meet the owners. In all cases, we learned more about the houses, the architecture, and the history. One of our favorite was on Anson Street, where we saw a beautiful home and landscaping (by Sheila Wertimer), along with a personal tour by the owners, Barrie and Noah.
A good example of the Charleston Single was in “Goldsmith Row,” where we had a chance to see a home that was only twelve-feet wide and still beautiful!
In all our stops, the owners were extraordinarily generous. It takes a lot of civic spirit to welcome strangers into your home!
One highlight was to see a house that was featured in an Edward Hopper painting! In 1929, Hopper painted the entrance to a home on Society Street, titling the painting, “Charleston Doorway.”
This excursion was fantastic, and we were able to immerse ourselves in the lavish gardens and history of some of Charleston’s aesthetically pleasing historic homes.
Here are a few more shots of the lush gardens!
Giddy Up! A Historic Carriage Tour Through Charleston
By Ingrid Cuero
Later on in the day, Morgan and I took a step into the century’s past to ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Old South Carriage Company conducts a pleasant tour through historic Charleston, priding themselves on providing a tour with “southern hospitality”. While waiting for our horse, we spotted a fellow bearkat: Professor Weikle, who teaches in SHSU’s Communications department. It was so nice to see her by way of this wonderful coincidence!
Ashley, our tour guide, introduced us to our steed, Elwood. Supposedly, he has a character of his own; traveling his own route as he sees fit.
Giddying up, we were off to begin our day!
The tour guide shared many fun facts about Charleston; (1) Charleston is the second largest historical district in the world, second only to Rome. (2) because of a big earthquake that took place in 1886, earthquake bolts are built into almost all of the buildings in Charleston;
…and (3) A shopping street called King St. is considered one of the top ten shopping streets in the country. However, it wasn’t always this way. The Civil War devastated the Charleston economy, and it wasn’t until the 1950’s that the area was revitalized and put Charleston back on the map. Our tour guide humorously noted that this is the only street she had seen in which a Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and a Target are all on the same street!
We also drove past St. John’s Lutheran Church, adding to our continued understanding of why Charleston is known as “The Holy City”. St. John’s is over 250 years old, making it one of the oldest congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
One of my favorite sights, along with its fascinating background, was Henry’s on the Market.
Both a seafood restaurant and a music hall, this eatery is known to be the oldest restaurant in Charleston, opening in 1932. Though Elwood may have been a little tired, attempting to take us back home early on his own accord, Morgan and I thoroughly enjoyed our time strolling through Charleston!
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