Approximately 150 people attended the annual Lincoln County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance held Sunday, January 20, in the LCHS Auditorium.

The guest speaker for the occasion was Rev. Paul Reviere, pastor of Tabor Baptist Church in Tignall and an educator with 33 years of experience in the classroom.

"We gather here today in the spirit of celebration to honor the life and legacy of one who shared with us 'a dream' of an America without any form of prejudice," said Rev. Reviere. "Great strides have been made toward that end; however, much remains yet to be done by every ensuing generation. Each generation must preserve the progress that has been made and forge forward to make even more progress."

Quoting a sign posted in the research lab of one of America's largest corporations, the keynote speaker said, "'According to the theory of aerodynamics, readily demonstrated in wind tunnel experiments, the bumble bee is unable to fly. That is because the size, weight, and shape of its body - in relation to its total wingspan - makes flying impossible. But...the bumble bee, being ignorant of these scientific truths, goes ahead and flies anyway.'"

Divesia Ramanda Lee, (pictured on the left) a fifth-grade student at Washington-Wilkes Elementary School, gives a dramatic reading at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance, held Sunday, January 20, in the LCHS Auditorium. Also pictured are Benjamin Beggs and Nicole Beard, both students at LCHS, leading those present in a litany commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. King. After pointing out that society tells its members they are limited and can do nothing to make Dr. King's dream come true or even protect its progress, Rev. Reviere stressed the fact that every individual has the ability to make a difference.

"Scripture underscores the fact that we each can positively effect change in this world - that we can each make a significant difference. Peter wrote, 'By which are given unto us exceedingly great and precious promises, that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in this world through lust (II Peter 1:4).' 'Partakers in the divine nature' means being like Christ in all that we are, in all that we do, and in all that we desire."

Reviere stated, "The world says to us that we cannot be like Christ, live like Christ, or even act like Christ in order to influence the society in which we live. As a result, we view all things from a negative perspective. We tend to focus more on what is wrong than on what is right. We look at what is yet to be achieved toward realizing Dr. King's dream rather than looking at how much has been accomplished already to bring us closer to that dream.

"Scripture admonishes us to use the 'great and precious promises' as a foundation of our faith thus enabling us to be like Christ and make a difference," he continued. "God imparts His nature to us so that we can be what He wants us to be and do what He wants us to do. Don't think it is impossible! Don't focus on what appears to be impossible! Be like the bee, and do it anyway!"

Rev. Reviere emphasized that daily living should reflect faith, urging the audience to be like the bee and "ignore all reasons not to let your faith be evident in your daily living..., overcome human weaknesses that limit your faith..., follow God's will for your life despite any doubts..., and do what you can to make the world a better place regardless of what people might think.

"The bumble bee does not know that it cannot fly - it just flies anyway. We are not inadequate or incapable; we can make a positive difference in our world, in our state, in our community, and in our families, if we would just be like the bee, and do it anyway."

In closing, Rev. Reviere said, "None of us is insignificant; no task is so menial as to be deemed unimportant; no effort moving us toward Dr. King's dream should be ignored. Regardless of your station in life, be like the bee. Be the best you can be. Choose to make a difference!"

Citing a few lines of a sermon delivered by Dr. King in April of 1967, Reviere said, "'If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, go out and sweep the streets like Michelangelo painted pictures or like Beethoven composed music or like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause and say, "Here lived a great street sweeper, who did his job well."'

"May God bless each of us as we, being 'partakers of His divine nature,' attempt to make our society a better place both for ourselves and the next generation. May God bless our every effort toward fully achieving Dr. King's dream."

The guest speaker was introduced to those present by Bruce Beggs, Lincoln County Superior Court clerk.

Bringing greetings to the audience were Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners; Henry Brown, a councilman and mayor pro tem for the City of Lincolnton; and Brian Campbell, assistant superintendent for instruction for Lincoln County Schools.

Another highlight of the program was the presentation of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance Committee's "Outstanding Citizenship Award." This year's recipient was Annie Ramsey Parks, who was hospitalized and could not attend the birthday observance.

Ironically, Parks was selected to receive the award for the simple reason that "she is always there," according to County Commission Chairman Walker Norman.

"Whether it is a meeting of the NAACP, the TIA (Twilight Improvement Association), Newberry Missionary Baptist Church, or whatever - Mrs. Parks is always there, fighting for people's rights," said the chairman. "She is an ordinary citizen, who, because of her devotion to the welfare of others, has made extraordinary contributions to this community."

(According to her daughter, Louise Harris, Parks should be released from the hospital on Wednesday, January 23.)

In addition, the birthday observance featured special music provided by Peyson Moss, a student at Gainesville College in Gainesville, Georgia; Jeree Dukes and Ashley Rivera, juniors at LCHS; and Shannon Cox, the praise team leader at First Assembly of God.

The audience participated in the celebration by singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "We Shall Overcome," accompanied by Moss on the piano.

Others taking part in the birthday observance were Divesia Ramanda Lee, a fifth-grade student at Washington Wilkes Elementary School, who gave a dramatic reading, and Benjamin Beggs and Nicole Beard, both students at LCHS, who led those present in a litany commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. King. The litany was titled "Let My People Go."

Moreover, Rev. James James, pastor of Martin's Crossroads Congregational Holiness Church, give the invocation, and Rev. Roy Andrews, pastor of Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Wilkes County, delivered the benediction.

Presiding over the program was Joy Bussey, administrative assistant for the Lincoln County Department of Public Works.

The birthday observance was sponsored by Lincoln County Government, the City of Lincolnton, TIA, Inc., and the Lincoln County Chapter of the NAACP.