The pastors and ministry leaders came away energized to have voter registration drives at their churches and motivated to encourage their congregations to "vote their values."

There was a certain amount of discipline, I think; my parents wanted to be sure that I was not just sitting around doing nothing.

Charles Burchfield was exceptional. As such an accomplished artist, he had limited previous association with academia and teaching.

When knowledge is scant or conflicting, folklore takes over.

My parents' names were Florian and Mabel Smith. My mother's maiden name was Dersam. They were of German heritage and were part of a family community with my grandparents and uncles and relatives. I was an only child.

At the end of the elementary program, I then had to move onto high school. Simultaneously, my parents moved to Attica to a suburban area not far from the well-known Attica State Prison. Then I would take the school bus which was a very short distance away, where I was involved with a much larger community.

There's always an important person who helps support your interests and encourages you.