What’s Up? Video: Watson discusses the LRC’s African American History Month events

Grace Hallowell:

What’s up, College Station? My name is Grace Hallowell, and today I’m joined by Markeesha, our staff assistant from the Lincoln Recreation Center. Howdy, Markeesha.

Markeesha Watson:

Hi, how are you?

Grace Hallowell:

I’m doing well.

Markeesha Watson:

Good.

Grace Hallowell:

I’m excited. You guys have a lot going on, starting with African American History Month coming up in February. So tell us a little bit about what events you guys have going on.

Markeesha Watson:

For our African American History Month, yes, we do have a lot going on, and we would like to encourage the community to come out and support those events. So on Thursday, February the 2nd, we’ll have a creative expression through art, masquerade paint party.

Grace Hallowell:

That sounds fun.

Markeesha Watson:

Yes. You don’t need to know how to paint. It’ll already be pre-drawn for you. All of your painting materials will be provided. And that event is $20 to register and participate. And that’s February the 2nd from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Grace Hallowell:

What else is going on?

Markeesha Watson:

After that, on Saturday, February the 4th, from 1:00- 3:30 p.m., we’ll have our community conversation and panel discussion discussing the book, Searching for Birdie. This book is by Diana Davis Lewis. She is from Houston, Texas, so she’ll be here to join in on the discussion of the book.

The book basically is about a mother who traveled from Houston to Louisiana and was never heard of again. So, Searching for Birdie is just describing some things that she went through. The book will address colorism, sexism, racism, LGBTQ+ prejudices that they face. I’ve heard it’s a really good book. Sounds like something that I would even enjoy reading.

Grace Hallowell:

Yeah, it’s an important topic too.

Markeesha Watson:

Yes. So this event is in partnership with the Brazos Valley Area Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. So they’ve joined hands with us to get this event started and to bring awareness to Brazos Valley about missing women and children, especially from the African American community.

Grace Hallowell:

Yeah, it’s an important topic that some people might not even think or realize is happening even here where we live.

Markeesha Watson:

Yes, definitely.

Grace Hallowell:

So yeah, definitely come to this one. What else is going on?

Markeesha Watson:

What else we have to offer? So on Saturday, February the 11th, we’ll have Girls in STEM. This will be from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This is a free event and is for girls ages 8 to 18 to have the chance to come out and learn more about what STEM is and what STEM has to offer. That’s science, technology, engineering, and math. So they’ll learn a little bit about all those things in an interactive environment.

Grace Hallowell:

Perfect. And it’s not just for boys.

Markeesha Watson:

Girls.

Grace Hallowell:

Girls.

Markeesha Watson:

Girls only.

Grace Hallowell:

Yes, girls only. It’s important. I know growing up I wish I would’ve had an opportunity like this because it was more of like Home Ec and cooking and sewing, and girls can do science too.

Markeesha Watson:

Right, exactly. So I totally agree with that. Just learning more about science and just broadening your horizon and engaging in this type of setting. I think it’ll be a great experience for the girls to come out and participate.

Grace Hallowell:

Yes, absolutely.

Markeesha Watson:

So, after that, we have our Who Are We? We Are Black History Program. This is for all ages to participate. If there’s anyone in the community that would like to come out and participate in this event, it will be held on February the 17th from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We’ll have a lot of our youth that participate in our after-school program. They’ll be performing with dance and song. They’ll be talking about different African American inventors and important people throughout the history.

If you would like to be involved in this program, we are welcoming the community to come and participate. You can call the Lincoln Center, or you can send me an email at mwatson@cstx.gov for more information. Again, that’s February the 17th from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

And then, to end the month, we’re going to have a Blues and Soul food Celebration, with a night to enjoy live music and have some soul food. This will be Friday, February the 24th from 7:00- 10:00 p.m. It is free to come and listen to the live music and just be a part of the environment. The dinner is going to be provided by Yams. She will be serving a dinner that will be for $15 a plate. On that plate, you will get one meat and two sides. Her name is Laverne Bradley, and she is the owner of Yams. She will be making the meal that we will be serving for that night.

And again, you don’t have to buy the meal. You can just join us and have fun with the band. We’ll have room to get up and dance if you want to dance. It’s just a time for you to come out and celebrate with your friends, family, and also get some soul food if you like.

Grace Hallowell:

Awesome. Yeah, I know I am excited for that one. I love a good soul food plate.

Markeesha Watson:

Yes.

Grace Hallowell:

Alrighty. So in addition to the African American History month, there’s always so much going on at The Lincoln Center. So what else is going on this month or in the coming months?

Markeesha Watson:

So other events that we have coming up, our senior programs, they’re having a Valentine’s Day social for anyone 55 and older. It is a free event and it’s on Friday, February the 10th from 10:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at The Lincoln Center. We do ask that you pre-register. So, you can give us a call at The Lincoln Center, and our number is 979-764-3779.

Then after that, on February the 17th, they’ll be having a Mardi Gras party from 7:00- 9:30 p.m. You can wear your masquerade mask if you like and we’ll have live music so you can come and dance, and just fellowship with your friends, or meet some new friends. Again, that is for the seniors, and you have to be 55 and older to participate.

Grace Hallowell:

Gotcha. So what else is going on? I know you guys have great new fitness programs as well.

Markeesha Watson:

So with our fitness programs, you do have to get an adult fitness pass. So you could get a monthly pass for $16 or you could get a day pass for $4.

Grace Hallowell:

That’s not bad. I know compared to other gyms, that’s on the cheaper side.

Markeesha Watson:

Yes. So let me tell you what all is included in that pass. So you can come and use the fitness room daily and get your workout in the fitness room. There’s all types of fitness equipment, even free weights to come and work out. Also included in the pass is pickleball. That’s becoming a very popular sport.

Grace Hallowell:

It is.

Markeesha Watson:

Have you played pickleball?

Grace Hallowell:

I have not.

Markeesha Watson:

Have you seen pickleball?

Grace Hallowell:

I have seen it everywhere. It’s kind of like an epidemic of pickleball people.

Markeesha Watson:

Yes, it is. So we also provide the time for you to come and play pickleball, Tuesday through Thursday. You can come and play pickleball from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. This pass also includes open gym time if you’re interested in just open gym pickup games. We will be offering that in the mornings. This is something new that we’ll be doing in the morning time from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Or you can come Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Starting in February, we’ll be having open gym on Sundays from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

The pass also includes Zumba two nights a week on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m. We also have the Hype Dance Fitness class, and that class is every Wednesday from 5:45-6:30 p.m.

So, we have a lot to offer with our fitness pass, which is just $16. So a great price. Or you could do a $4 day pass. But for any of this information, please visit us at cstx.gov/lincolncenter.

Grace Hallowell:

Perfect. Yes. And you can always stop by The Lincoln Center too, correct?

Markeesha Watson:

Yes. You’re definitely welcome to come in and pick up any information, find out more information, and you can also register in person.

Grace Hallowell:

Well, thank you so much for being here today.

Markeesha Watson:

Thank you for having me.

Grace Hallowell:

You’re welcome. And that’s what’s up.

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