Black history focus of meeting

LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood Heritage Commission will host "AWalk Down Memory Lane" in honor of Black History Month, being celebrated during February.

The event will be held at the auditorium of the Lakewood municipal building on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. The program will be an oral history told by a panel of guests from the African American community who will share recollections of Lakewood from their unique viewpoints.

The program will be videotaped for posterity and will become a part of the permanent collection of the Lakewood Heritage Museum.

According to Sheldon Wolpin, chairman of the Lakewood Heritage Commission, this is the latest in a regular series of oral history programs sponsored by the Lakewood Heritage Commission.

"We have hosted programs that focused on the Lakewood hotel industry, education and baseball among others." Wolpin said. "Each panelist recalls certain events and others will then be reminded of similar stories, usually audience members then recall other particulars; before you know it the stories unfold in great detail."

Wolpin said the audience will have a chance to offer comments and to ask questions of the panelists.

According to a press release, Lakewood has been the most diversified town in Ocean County for most of its existence and the black community has made significant contributions to the history of the community. Members of Lakewood's African American community are represented by successful business people, outstanding athletes and honored veterans.

Wolpin said James Waters, a past president of the Ocean County NAACP, will be the moderator of the event.

The community is encouraged to come and view the oral history. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. In case of inclement weather the program will be held the following Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m. For more information call the Lakewood Heritage Museum at (732) 276-7944.