# 39 THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING A BLOG POSTING

# 39 THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING A BLOG POSTING:

FROM AN IDEA TO A FINISHED PRODUCT ON “HERRON SPEAKS”

BY

VERNON M. HERRON

The purpose of this article is to introduce you to the persons behind the scene in the production of the Herron Speaks blog. First, an idea is born in the mind of the author. Secondly, it is filtered to a grandson, Alexander Herron Waters, who considers illustrations, graphics or pictures germane to the “idea.” The third step includes the writing of the story which is passed on to the proof-reading editor for critiquing and additional input. Thereafter, it is forwarded to the social media specialist for final editorial, graphical, and layout modifications before being posted online on “Herron Speaks” for the benefit of its readership.

Meet our Graphic Design Consultant

Alexander Herron Waters

Alexander Waters, 18 years old, graduated from the Zebulon B. Vance High School in 2010. Currently, he is matriculating at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, engaged in paralegal technology. After receiving an Associate’s Degree, he plans to transfer to the University of Maryland to engage in the study of law. He is involved in numerous community service/volunteering organizations at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and at the Cole Memorial United Methodist Church. Alex enjoys helping others when he can.

  

Meet Our Proof Reader

Mrs. Barbara P. Hendricks

It has been said that “reading makes a full man but writing makes an exact man.” Mrs. Barbara P. Hendricks has served as the “proof-reader” for the Second Ward High School CLASS NEWSLETTER and for the Herron Speaks blog.. She watches for needed commas, double subjects, misspelled words, run-on sentences, agreement of subject with verb, demand for a period, clarity of sentences and many more oversights.

Barbara’s proof-reading is more than a “hunch.” She is a professional English major, having graduated with honors from Spelman College, Indiana University and from UNC-Charlotte in School Administration.

After thirty-one years of service in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Mrs. Hendricks is a retired educator, having assumed major responsibilities in writing and speaking at several schools which included West Charlotte and Olympic High Schools.

Mrs. Hendricks is the beloved wife of the Rev. Dr. A. Rudolph Hendricks, mother of three musically inclined children and grandmother of five future scholars.

Meet Our Social Media Specialist

Joseph L. Burton

When asked about his profession, Joseph L. Burton, a local business owner, gives this simple response. “I’m just a troubleshooter; I find trouble and I shoot it.” As the owner of Door2Door Computer Services, Joseph (Joe) gets the chance to shoot trouble daily. His company’s unique selling position is to “bring quality computer service and repair to your front door.” Together with his staff, Door2Door delivers that promise to residential and business customers in the Charlotte Metro area.

A graduate of Michigan State University, Joe is originally from Michigan and relocated to Charlotte four years ago. In business for seven years total, everyday Joe directs his company’s resources to solve problems such as spyware/virus removal, computer crash recovery, hardware upgrades, software installation, networking support, laptop/desktop computer sales, social media consulting, and beyond. As the name of his company implies, most of its hardware support, networking support, and software support services are performed on the customer’s premises. “We have our greatest success when our customers want more than a just a simple solution – we enjoy when they become PART of the solution.”

It is Joe who actually introduced me to the concept of Blogging during our work together on a previous project. You can visit his social media links: www.twitter.com/d2dusa, http://d2dusa.blogspot.com/ , www.facebook.com/d2dusa . If you need help with your computer or your social media, please visit the Door2Door Computer Services website at www.door2door-usa.com or call Joe at 704-728-1133.

#38 Five of Many Hymns Which Impress Me

     # 38 FIVE OF MANY HYMNS WHICH IMPRESS ME.

By Vernon M. Herron

When I am in worship which is adaptive, there are five of many hymns which impress me. I am fully aware that religious music may be hymns, anthems, gospel, spirituals or meters, etc. But today, I concentrate on selected hymns which I love.

Recognizing that the origin of hymns may be Anglican, African or Western, I often wonder why some hymns inspire me more than others. Hymns which are canticles are most impressive. Canticles are scripture set to music. Then quite often, one can find theology imbedded in the movement of the composition, “Praise Ye The Triune God” is a good example.

Then many hymns strengthen one’s affirmation of a faith journey. The five listed hymns below are but samples of the above.  They can be found and heard on the Internet by hymn title.

Re: Hymns

PRAISE YE THE TRIUNE GOD

Based on Matthews 28:20

(The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit)

Words by Elizabeth R. Charles c1858; Lyrics do not rhyme

Praise ye the Father for His loving kindness;

Tenderly cares He for His erring children;

Praise Him, ye angels, praise Him in the heavens

Praise ye Jehovah!

Praise ye the Savior—great is His compassion;

Graciously He for His chosen people;

Young men and maidens, older folks and children,

Praise ye the Savior;

Praise ye the Spirit, Comforter of Israel,

Sent of the Father and the Son to bless us,

Praise ye the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Praise ye the Triune God!

HOW TEDIOUS AND TASTELESS THE HOUR

Based on Psalms 16:11

“In Thy presence if fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Words by John Newton, 1779

How tedious and tasteless the hours when Jesus no longer I see!

Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flow’rs,

Have all lost their sweetness to me.

The mid-summer sun shines but dim; The fields strive to look gay;

But when I am happy in Him, December’s as pleasant as May.

His name yields the riches perfume, And sweeter than music his voice;

His presence disperses my gloom, and makes all within me rejoice;

I should, were he always thus nigh, having nothing to wish or to fear;

No mortal so happy as I; My summer would last all the year.

Dear Lord, if indeed I Am Thine, If Thou art my sun and my song,

Say, why do I languish and pine? And why are my winters so long?

O drive these dark clouds from my sky; Thy soul-cheering presence restore;

Or take me unto Thee on high, where winter and clouds are no more.

O THOU IN WHOSE PRESENCE MY SOUL TAKES DELIGHT

Words by Fernando Ortega

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,

On whom in affliction I call

My comfort by day and my song in the night

My hope, my salvation my all.

Where does Thou, dear shepherd resort with thy sheep

To feed them in pastures of love?

Say, why in the valley of death should I weep

Or alone in this wilderness rove?

Oh why should I wonder, an alien from Thee

Or cry in the desert for bread?

Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see

And smile at the tears I have shed.

Dear Shepherd, I hear and will follow Thy call

I know the sweet sound of Thy voice

Restore and defend me for Thou art my all

And in Thee I will ever rejoice.

BRETHREN, WE HAVE MET TO WORSHIP

HOLY MANNA

“Come, let us bow down in worship.” Psalm 95:6

        Words by George Atkins, 1819

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God.

Will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the word?

All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;

Brethren pray and holy manna will be showered all around.

Brethren, see poor sinners round you slumbering on the brink of woe;

Death is coming, hell is moving, can you bear to let them go?

See our fathers and our mothers and our children sinking down

Brethren pray and holy manna will be showered all around.

Sisters, will you join and help us? Moses’ sisters aided him;

Will you help the trembling mourners who are struggling hard with sin?

Tell them all about the Savior, tell them that He will be found,

Sisters, pray and holy manna will be showered all around.

Is there a trembling jailer, seeking Grace and filled with tears?

Is there a weeping Mary pouring forth a flood of tears?

Brethren, join you cries to help them; sisters, let your prayer abound:

Pray , oh pray that holy manna may be scattered all around.

Let us love our God supremely, let us love each other, too.

Let us love and pray for sinners, til our God makes all things new.

Then He’ll call us home to Heaven, at His table we’ll sit down;

Christ will gird himself and serve us with sweet manna all around.

AND THEN ETERNITY

By

Thomas O. Chisholm

                                    A few more years to sow and reap,

A few more years to smile and weep,

A few more years to wake and sleep,

And then – eternity!

                                     A few more miles for weary feet,

                                     A few more trails yet to meet,

                                     A few more lessons to complete,

And then – eternity!

                                      A little while to watch and pray,

To labor while ‘tis called “Today,”

Prepare for Heaven while we may,

And then – eternity!

Our life, how soon it will be past!

                                        The golden hours are going fast,

                                        This very day may be our last!

And then – eternity!

As fades the mist before the sun,

    As song that dies when just begun,

So passes life, -so quickly gone,

And then- eternity!

# 37 Family Tradition - “Bring No Girl in Here Pregnant”

Let’s Do Genealogy:

# 37 Family Tradition
“Bring No Girl in Here Pregnant”
by
Vernon M. Herron, D. Min.


Family tradition is a genealogical tool and a clue as you begin the search for genealogical information in your home. It is defined as those stories handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation within a family. Within the context of genealogy, recounted events and relationship in an oral tradition cannot be considered genealogical data and at best clues for further research.

Researching Alexander E. Johnson (c1857-1917) and Family of Orangeburg, South Carolina reveals an interesting family tradition which is moral and economic in nature. Family tradition contends that approximately five years after emancipation (c1869), John Fogel conveyed to his former enslaved, J. Washington Johnson and his wife Nancy, land which was later subdivided among their six sons Benjamin, Henry, Lawyer, William, David and Alexander. The legend/folklore/tradition continues that when each of J. Washington Johnson’s sons married, an acre of land was provided to that son, then all family members would assist in the building of a log cabin home for the couple in question. This cooperative enterprise activated father Washington’s teachings to his sons: “Bring no girl in here pregnant” and “Bring no girl into this family unless you are properly prepared for her in every way.”

Family tradition summarizes the father’s teachings into three points: (1) when one marries, a home must be provided for the bride. (2) own something (economic) and (3) be somebody. According to the late Fred S. A. Johnson, this tradition has been recounted for five generations and has had a telling effect. Family members in all generations have revealed the moral, social, educational, economical and spiritual influence of the said tradition. From 1896 to 1993 the descendants of J. Washington Johnson have acquired land and a corporate portfolio with an accumulative total well over three-quarters of a million dollars.
(And I know, that’s right).

Research neither confirms nor determines the means by which J. Washington Johnson acquired land. No public records were found to indicate an outright purchase or as a gift. The land records of Alexander E. Johnson and his nephew Julius of Cope, SC in 1896 support the tradition that J. Washington Johnson probably did live in the same geographical location of several Fogel families in antebellum Orangeburg District.

While the means of land acquisition may remain an uncertainty, the fact that J. Washington Johnson was in charge of enough land to share with his sons remains in evidence. Further research is needed to verify the tradition. Until that is done, we only have genealogical clues but no genealogical data even though the tradition is unique and worthy to be imitated in this day of alternate life style.


This article concludes the series on “Let’s Do Genealogy.” Another subject next time.

# 36 OCTOBER IS FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

Let’s Do Genealogy


# 36 OCTOBER IS FAMILY HISTORY MONTH



The Monmouth County Genealogical Club of Freehold, NJ originated Family History Month of October in 1988 and has designated the month of October for community-wide involvement. Genealogy is for everyone; children, youth and adults. Its resource pamphlet urges America to adopt its program with local modification and suggested varied activities for each group.

The proclamation suggests the scope and nature of Family History Month as:
To promote the study of family history
To provide sound training in genealogical research
To collect, preserve and disseminate genealogical information on early
citizens of the County.

The above is based on the assumption that “the history of a community. county, state and nation can best be told through the lives of its citizens” and that both, children and adults should be encouraged “to gather family stories, customs and traditions and study family history as an academic discipline and appreciate the richness of the lives of our ancestors and the importance of the individual with the fabric of American history”.

Observance of Family History Month is unique. Here are some suggested activities: (1) Draw your family tree- fill in a form and illustrate it or draw one in your own way. (2) Dress as your ancestor from 1950’s poodle skirt to ethnic costume of homeland. (3) Cook/bake a favorite. Get recipe for dish or meal, make and share it. (4) Draw a world map…show origin of your ancestors, with pin, flags or colored drawings. (5) Use the language…learn a song, poem, story or a sentence in an ancestral language. (6) Visit a place of interest, port of entry,
(South), a home or building nearby of family importance. (7) Read a fable or a story from an ancestral nation, illustrate it with family/friends.

The following FAMILY ACTIVITIIES can be stimulating: (1) Label and organize photographs…use acid free ink and materials. Put names, dates, places. (2) Visit and interview relatives…Make a list of questions---beside facts, get flavor, opinion, humor, stories, traditions—whatever makes ancestors real. (3) Locate and copy family documents from the attic and cousins. Label and list information they contain. (4) Fill in an ancestor chart—buy or make one. Use pencil if not proven. It will show you what you need to research, list full names, maiden name only. (5) Write your life story...Wouldn’t you treasure your grandfather’s life story? Write yours. (6) Start a family journal…Each member writes in it fairly regularly or when there’s special news. (7) Make a time line…use long paper, draw center lines: historic dates on one side, family dates on the other (birth, marriages, milestones).

SENIOR CITIZENS can do the following: (1) Write your life story…Include memories thoughts, funny stories, recollections of older relatives (your parents and grandparents)…you are the only link to them. Do it in a booklet or a book form, as letters to grandchildren or poems. Do it chronologically starting with your birth or do it in any order which appeals to you. If you are not a writer, talk into a tape recorder and let someone type it. Just do it. (2) Label and organize photographs…with full names, dates, places, events. Use acid free albums, pencil. (3)Print up family recipes…favorite family recipes are a strong link to the past. Share them. (4) Label heirlooms and family artifacts…clock, quilts, shawls, jewelry, dishes, silver…whose were they? Don’t assume that “everyone knows”. (5) Start a family round-robin letter…write a letter (put in lots of memories) to a relative, ask them to add to it and send it in. Each cousin adds to it and eventually, a very long letter returns to you. Replace your original letter with a new one, send it again. (6) Write a family letter..include articles about ancestors and what’s happening now: births, school, marriage and deaths, family stories and achievements.

As a club, the following suggestions are offered: (1) Phone-a-fact…out of state members call volunteers of specific research question to be done in club library and answered by collect call. (2) Publication Reception…a good target date for club publication completion and “sellebration”. (3) Family record day… at museum people bring in papers, especially Bible records, family treasures for photo records. (4) Costume party for halloween…Come as your favorite ancestor. Use dress and memorabilia. (5) Audio or video interviews…Member’s older relatives or elders in the community. Have them use photos or memorabilia for memory sparkers. (6) Video of club activities…can be shared with out of state members. Library of lectures. (7) Photo exhibit…members’ interesting, unusual and active family photos…well captioned names, dates. (8) How to start your family history…one day course for members and public. Library tours.