Terrance Jones, executive director of the Canton Negro Oldtimers Activities Center, returned home re-energized after attending a party hosted by Oprah Winfrey in New York to salute Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, and nearly 400 community advocates.
"It was a defining moment of my life just to be in a room full of difference makers on an international level," said Jones, founder of the Black College Tour, which takes local minority high school kids to visit historically black colleges in the South. "It was life-changing, seriously."
The Dec. 2 event served as a fundraiser for the National CARES Mentoring Movement, which is dedicated to pairing vulnerable African-American children with a caring mentor.
Gospel stars Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin performed. Other notable attendees were Common, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Terry McMillan and Ruby Dee.
Jones, former Canton Mayor Janet Creighton’s community liaison, said he didn’t get to meet Oprah, but he got a picture with Gayle King, Oprah’s best friend.
TRAVELING MAN
Eric Kramp gave up his cubicle in Tampa, Fla., in September and started traveling the United States. He came through Canton on Nov. 22.
“I gave up my cubicle prison (in the medical field) of four years to travel in a rental car across America for a few months to see many of our country’s landmarks, meet people, and lose weight while eating only from Wendy’s value menu,” he said. “I was going to go to Europe, but decided I needed to see my own back yard first.”
He started in Tampa, weighing 325 pounds. By Thanksgiving, he was down to 290, and that is without very much exercise.
“I’ve met a lot of people,” he said, noting that he’s always believed that everybody has a story, and he wanted to hear them. “America is a truly diverse and an amazing country. I wish I could have taken a busload of people with me on this trip. Unfortunately, that will probably never happen.”
“It’s been very exciting for me,” he said. “I have heard stories of cancer survival, wishes of similar adventures in their youth, and aspirations of losing weight too. From young people, elderly, and even a fifth-grade class in New Mexico. It seems as though everyone relates to my adventure in one form or another.
“I’ve already begun to work on my next bucket list (dream list) item, so we shall see how that goes. I’m hoping to go from 290 pounds to completing a marathon on my birthday in August.”
To learn more about his adventures, visit his Web site at.
TOP MODEL
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Fashion Show Luncheon committee will conduct the annual Enshrinement Festival Top Model Competition on Feb. 27. Models will be selected for participation in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Fashion Show Luncheon Aug. 7 at Canton Memorial Civic Center. The competition is sponsored by Aura Salon & Spa and Downtown Canton Special Improvement District and its downtown restaurants.
Mandatory dates and deadlines are: 5 p.m. Jan. 9, applications due to the festival office; Jan. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., auditions for all entrants, Timken High School Auditorium, 521 Tuscarawas St. W; Feb. 27, 7 p.m. in Timken High School Auditorium, winners will be selected during the semi-finals and finals; March through July, a minimum of two training sessions will be scheduled for winners. Exact dates and times to be determined once winners are announced.
Men and women can participate in age divisions: 18 to 25, 26 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 and older. Entrants must be at least 18 years old by Jan. 24. There is no guarantee that there will be winners in each age category.
Top Model Competition information packets are available at Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., or on the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Web site at