WS Chronicle

Submitted photo

BY FELECIA PIGGOTT-LONG 

FOR THE CHRONICLE

More than 150 mothers and daughters gathered at the Carl Russell Recreation Center on Saturday morning to partake of a special brunch in their honor. The Father and Son Committee of the Carl Russell Center began preparing fried whiting, hot grits, toast, coleslaw, coffee and juice at 8:00 a.m. for the third annual observance.

After the brunch, several of the mothers participated in the CPR class that the Winston-Salem Fire Department presented. Sabrina Stowe encouraged the women to be lifesavers by learning free hands-only CPR. Mr, And Mrs. Derrick Reid of Supreme Hip-Hop/R & B Internet Radio provided special music in honor of mothers. Ben Piggott, the center supervisor and the leader of the Father and Son Committee, served as the emcee for the celebration.

“This morning I loved the comradeship among the brothers as we prepared to feed the mothers of the community. We want to show the children that chivalry is not dead. It is still alive,” Piggott said. “Mothers are important because they are the first nurturers of our children. Men should assist them in the village.”

Some of the mothers expressed their appreciation for the special girls’ morning out that the Father and Son Committee provided. Deborah Miller attended the celebration for the first time.

“I enjoyed everything from the CPR class to the delicious fried fish! Thanks so much for thinking of us and for all you do to inform and educate,” said Miller. “My mother passed in 1995, but if she had still been around, I know she would have enjoyed this as well. I will certainly return next year.”

Mary Oliver said, “I truly enjoyed the experience of learning CPR. Hopefully, I will be ready if I ever really need it. Everyone needs to learn this.”

The Reid Family served as deejays through-out the morning. They played such songs as “Sadie” by the Spinners, “I’ll Always Love My Mama” by the Intruders, and “Grandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers. The radio hosts also encouraged special announcements. Antwan Transou announced that his three sons, Josh, John, and David, received football scholarships from Hampton University.

Mark Redd and Curtis Gatewood fried the fish in the traditional big black pot. Many of the guests asked them about the spicy sauce that made them taste so satisfying. All of the committee members helped to prepare, cook and serve the food in honor of the mothers. Shirley Allen and Jean Allen assisted with the grits. Redd and Gatewood dropped the fish in the large pot and once the fish was done, it would rise to the top of the oil. They prepared pans of golden fried fish.

The members of the Father and Son Committee include William “Rock” Bitting, Curtis Gatewood, Brian Manns, Ralph Meadows, Mark Redd, Leroy Richardson, Jr., Todd Sample, and Yusef Suggs.  The purpose of the group is to mentor youth to help young men and women to become respectful citizens in the community. They desire to guide them in the right direction in life.The group is already planning the “Honor Your Father” gathering for the third Saturday in June.