Honor Plainfield's History Makers

(Note: I inadvertently posted this earlier on Plainfield Plaintalker instead of Plaintalker II.)
Recently some of Plainfield's own who have made history at local, national and worldwide levels have been remembered here at home. On Saturday, baseball hero Joe Black will be so remembered in a ceremony at Hub Stine Field. Click here to read about it.

Whether someone is a sports legend, a groundbreaking public servant or even a revered block captain, these individuals deserve our ongoing recollection and honor. Milt Campbell, Everett Lattimore and Charles Billups all mean a lot to Plainfield for their different achievements and contributions. Young people especially need these role models all year round, not just at times on the calendar dedicated to remembrance of historic persons.

Now it is Joe Black's turn for the tribute his family has long wished for. Plainfield native Steve Selzer was a student of Joe Black and wrote a biography that sums up the many facets of his personality. Click here to learn more about the author and the biography.

There is a Kwanzaa custom of pouring a libation and calling the names of ancestors we want to remember. I for one always think of Pepsi Charles. With Selzer's book ("Meet the Real Joe Black: An Inspiring Life: Baseball, Teaching, Business, Caring") and the hard work of many people to put together Saturday's ceremony, I'm sure there will many more people, young and old, who will sincerely remember Joe Black this year and in years to come.

--Bernice