A LEGACY UNEARTHED What: “A Legacy Unearthed, a Documentary About Black History in Abilene”When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23Where: Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.Admission: Donations requestedDetails: The film is presented in association with the ACU Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action and the Curtis House Cultural Center By LORETTA FULTON As a pastor, Andrew Penns knows the power
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CURTIS HOUSE CULTURAL CENTERThe center houses photos, newspaper and magazine articles, and other documents and memorabilia depicting the contributions of Black residents to Abilene’s history. Contact Andrew Penns to schedule a group tour during Black History Month630 Washington St.Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Admission is by donation325-518-4604 By LORETTA FULTON Andrew Penns is used to hearing the words, “I didn’t know that,” but
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By LORETTA FULTON For the first time, the women’s auxiliary of the Texas State Missionary Baptist Convention will meet in Abilene on Jan. 15. Host church will be Valley View Missionary Baptist Church, 3564 Clinton St. The Rev. Andrew Penns is pastor of the church. The meeting is a workshop for deaconesses and for wives or widows of deacons in
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Editor’s Note: Rosten Callarman is the new executive director of ICAN (Interested Citizens of Abilene North). He replaces the Rev. Andrew Penns, director of Curtis House Cultural Center and pastor of Valley View Missionary Baptist Church. Callarman previously was housing navigator for Abilene Hope Haven By ROSTEN CALLARMAN Founded in 1994, Interested Citizens of Abilene North serves as the neighborhood
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By LORETTA FULTON The Rev. Andrew Penns, pastor at Valley View Missionary Baptist Church, grew up in Abilene and was in the last graduating class at Woodson High School. After graduating from Woodson, Penns served in the Army, including time in Vietnam. When he returned to Abilene, he didn’t like the racial environment he saw. So he moved to Austin
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By LORETTA FULTON A determined, handsome face peers from the canvas, caring eyes gazing into the future. The face is that of Dr. William H. Butler, Abilene’s first black physician, who was born Dec. 9, 1875, in Anderson County. He died Sept. 8, 1947, and is buried in the Abilene City Cemetery alongside his wife, Beatrice, who died Jan. 17,
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By LORETTA FULTON The 32 years of ministry by the Rev. Andrew Penns as pastor of Valley View Missionary Baptist Church will be celebrated at the church, 3564 Clinton St., at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19.Theme will be, “Counting the Cost of Leadership,” based on Isaiah 55:4. The Rev. J.W. Webbs, pastor of New Fellowship Baptist Church, will be guest
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By LORETTA FULTON The 116th edition of the annual Original West Texas Baptist District Assocation got off to a rousing start Monday night, with praise and worship music, scripture reading and words of welcome from representatives of several Abilene institutions. The opening musical program held at New Fellowship Baptist Church set the tone, literally and figuratively, for the coming five
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By LORETTA FULTON Standing at the site of the 1922 murder of a black man at the hands of “masked and robed” men, Andrew Penns let it be known that despite the evil that took place there, God was in charge. At the beginning of the ceremony commemorating the death of Grover C. Everett, Penns, pastor of Valley View Missionary
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Spirit Of Abilene 