Bath resident celebrates King's legacy
BY JEFFERY SMITH THE LEADER

PHOTO BY ERIC WENSEL/THE LEADER Kenneth Anderson of Bath performs at 171 Cedar Arts, in Corning, in a concert of Afro-American slave spirituals as part of the arts center's celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. last week.

CORNING - Many dreamed it, but the Rev. Martin Luther King stood for it and spoke

about it.

"I have a dream," King told the nation. That dream was equality for all.

Less than five years after making those statements King was assassinated, but his words still inspire today.

Forty-three years after President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and Dr. Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize, 171 Cedar Arts Center is still

working to keep the dream alive.

Narrator and vocalist Kenneth Anderson, a Bath resident, sang Negro spirituals and explained their role in the history of African-Americans last Sunday afternoon at 171 Cedar Arts Center Drake House.

"It's very enjoyable," said Cheryl Glasgow, of Corning. "It's an appropriate way to

observe Martin Luther King's birthday."

The event was part of a two-day event that will continue today to celebrate King's ideals with dance, music, storytelling and art inspired by the values of the great Civil Rights leader.

"This is our 23rd annual Martin Luther King celebration," said Susan O'Leary, 171 director. "We've held it since his birthday was declared a national holiday. It's just our way of celebrating the contribution of Dr. King."