Program for ex-prisoners benefits from Diggs' service SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE . In recognition and honor of Brenda Diggs* service on the Poor and Needy Division Advisory Board of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitably Trust, the agency has approved a $25,000 grant to Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries Plan to Prosper Re Entry Program. The pro gram provides pre-release training and counseling for inmates as well as post-release assistance for ex -offenders. Last year, the Ministries Plan to Prosper Re-Entry Program pre pared 230 inmates for work prepared ness, connect ed 251 ex offenders to community agencies and assisted 27 Public service has been a hall persons to find mark in Brenda Diggs' life and housing, business career. Diggs selected this program to receive the grant because she believes it is truly "making a difference" in this community. Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries has provided chaplaincy services for inmates in the jail, prison and youth detention center in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. " Diggs is a former Wachovia executive who once headed Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County. She has been involved in charity work for most ofjier life. She once led a successful United Way campaign in Forsyth County. Jazzy kick off to BHM at Library BY LAYLA FARMER THE CHRONICLE The Forsyth County Public Library system doesn't need a spe cial occasion to honor black histo ry, as Director Sylvia Sprinkle Hamlin is quick to point out. "We celebrate Black History Month all year through," she said with a smile. Like many other enti ties however, the library does put a special effort into the month of February. This year, library officials decided to try a different approach in celebrating Black History Month, opting to focus on one important African American rather than trying to highlight the lives of the many who are worthy of such accolades. "I think it's really unfair that we have to relegate the contributions of African Americans to one month, and no matter how many things that you try to cover, you're not going to do a good job because there are just so many aspects of contributions made by African Americans that there's too much to cover in just one month," said Children's Coordinator Joel White. Mardi Gras at. the Library served as the kickoff event for a month's worth of activities cen tered around the. life of Louis "Satcjimo" Armstrong, this year's featured African American. The evening's activities includ ed mask making for youngsters, performances by the Triad Youth Jazz Society; and a "parade" fea turing decorated book carts from the various branches. The event caught the attention of homemaker Nikisha Claytor, who brought her children, Solan, S, and Isis, 3, out to enjoy the festivi ties. , "I like Mardi Gras; I like the whole New Orleans stuff, so why not?" she remarked. "The kids get to interact, get to make masks, they're interacting with other kids - they're home schooled, so they don't get to do this too often." The educational opportunities the event afforded also appealed to Claytor, she said. "They have a very diverse background and I think this adds on to their development, you know? Gets them used to different rnotos oy Layu rarmei Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin,from left, with Joel While , JaQuan Hamlin and William Stevenson. ^ i William and Kim Boyer with their son, Cay den. cultures," she pointed out. "I think that's important." Kim Boyer and her husband William are planning a trip to the Big Easy with their three year-old son, Cay den, and thought the Mardi Gras celebration might serve as a nice introduction. "We're going to New Orleans at the end of the month, so we're Joel White leads a group of kids in a Mardi Gras parade. A trying to get Cayden ready for it," she said. Boyer aaaea mat sne wants nei son to be exposed to as much diver sity as possible. "I'm a teacher; I think it's a bad thing when kids think what hap pens in their neighborhood is whai happens in the whole world," she commented. "I just think it's a big disservice to kick." In addition to the Mardi Gra; celebration, the library will host i smattering of other, Armstrong inspired events, Sprinkle-Hamlii says. "As a matter of fact, we hav< Xhe curators of his museum fron New York, they're coming dowi the last week in February to tall about Louis Armstrong and hi art," she revealed. Other events include Loui Armstrong movie screenings ever Wednesday of the month at th Malloy Jordan East Winstoi Heritage Center at 6:30 p.m. eacl week; and a special jazz concei featuring local artist Joe Robinsoi and the Joe Robinson Quartet which is slated to be hel< Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Southsidi Library beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visi www.forsythlibrary.ore or cal 7032665. 1 3.9"., \PR Available ............. * ... On Approved Credit Up To 48 Months 2008 E350 2008 C300 2008 ML350 2008 GL450 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CfRllftfD 02C240 Aula PW POL PS P&RSnfJOKmjn, E*. Caml, Black, Leather Manor '16,968 03 MB C240m.il ; Jil 4 I loiicslow II Mil. \\ S, M 336.760.43H0