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BRONXVILLE, N.Y. -- All of the schools, post offices and banks were empty on Monday morning and the best place to be was the Reformed Church of Bronxville for the 27th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sponsored by the Eastchester Community Action Program Advisory Council.
The Tuckahoe Explorers were serving coffee, the Tuckahoe Seniors were enjoying the kids and everyone was making trips to the buffet table for healthy helpings of bacon, eggs and grits.
ECAP Director Charlene Lambrecht was smiling as she watched some of the kids who attend her after-school program reenact portions the historic march on Washington, D.C.
Mistress of Ceremonies Jackie McCray pulled the event together, including a dance performed by Jessica Foster and a speech by Edythe Horne, who spent 32 years as a teacher in the Tuckahoe School District.
Quoting King, Horne urged youngsters to stay in school and strive to be the best they can be.
"Dr. King's 'I have a Dream' speech was a blueprint," Horne said. "Create your own blueprint."
State Assembly member Amy Paulin reminded the crowd that it has been 48 years since King made his historic speech.
"Dr. King acted with many people and we need to continue to work together to continue the mission he was a part of 48 years ago," Paulin said.
Religious leader Rev. Douglas Edmond told the packed room that it is not always easy to create change.
"If you are going to build anything, everyone has to bring a brick, not to throw but to build," Edmond said.
As he waited his turn to close the event, Reformed Church Rev. Keith Dragt listened intently to all of the speakers, songs of celebration and performances.
"It is our great privilege to provide a space for this great event," Dragt said. "It is our honor to be a part of the celebration."
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