It’s a Family Affair at the Spady Museum

Tales were told from the people who were there and remember. Government officials made congratulatory statements. Gospel music filled the air, and the hugs came quickly and often.

At the May 17 debut of “The Legacies of Delray Beach Families,” it was a family affair. Contemporary photos by Michiko Kurisu and family artifacts adorned the walls of the Spady Museum first floor gallery.

The patriarch of the Quince family gave thanks to God Almighty for allowing him to see life in his 90s and reminded the crowd to recognize the Higher Power with song and grace. A matriarch of the Spells family laughed her way through memories and shared that the Quince and Spells family had been long connected through friendship and marriage.

The daughter of the Mitchell family thanked the crowd on behalf of her father, and Mr. Stick of the Edmonds family just nodded silently in appreciation.

The exhibit reception was punctuated by extremely special moments:

–       Michiko Kurisu’s mother made a surprise appearance, flying in to celebrate the moment with her daughter.

–       Former Spady Museum special educator Brandy Brownlee shared the evening with her one-year-old son, John Xavier, who met members of the EPOCH board

–       Museum Director Charlene Jones gave touching recognition to her mother, Museum Founder Vera Farrington, whose oral histories were the impetus for the exhibit.

Most definitely a family affair.

The exhibit, “The Legacies of Delray Beach Families,” runs through Aug. 31 at the Spady Museum. www.spadymuseum.org; 561-279-8883.

Award-Winning Author Stops By and Plans to Come Back

It’s not every day that an award-winning author stops by the Spady – AND plans to come back again.

R.J. Tolson, teenage entrepreneur, philanthropist and author, visited the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum on May 20 for a special public book signing of his novel, “Chaos Chronicles Book 1: Zephyr The West Wind.”

He was in town to promote his book at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High and Highland Oaks Middle School in North Miami. Tolson was invited by Spady Museum Director Charlene Jones to sign his novel and answer questions about his multi-faceted enterprise, as part of the museum’s cultural and educational outreach programming.

Tolson has been celebrated recently for being named a Beverly Hills Book Awards Finalist for his novel.

“I saw this as a great opportunity to inspire our young people – and some older ones – with the energy, focus and success of this young man,” Jones said. “The art he’s creating in the form of music, literature and spoken word was simply too cool and innovative not to share with Delray Beach.”

R.J. Tolson was convinced to return to Delray Beach for another visit, so look for him soon…

Pictured are (l-r) Nolan Kabrich, R.J.’s personal assistant; Eddie Alex Jones, a member of the audience; Vanessa Jean Baptiste, a member of the audience; and R.J. Tolson.