Who knew of the social isolation and great cultural divide
experienced by Auburn University's first black athletes?
Heroes on the field but loners on the campus?
Certainly not me! But I was there during some of those years
and discovered Thursday that I even graduated Auburn on the same day
who achieved scholarship status and made first string.
And he became the first black athlete to graduate that university,
a feat he attributes to his parents' insistence for a solid undergraduate education.
reminisced about his days as a reluctant pioneer of integration in the New South.
He went on to a brief career in the NFL followed by public relations, acting
and writing. The Birmingham native appeared in such television shows
as "Boston Legal," "In the Heat of the Night" and "NYPD Blue."
There were also a few films.
But yesterday, his amiable personality connected with a full house
as he mostly focused on football and how he finally made amends
with the emotions that threatened to throw him off course during his his younger
years. Gossom signed copies of his autobiography,
"Walk-On" along with his "Slice of Life" short story collections.
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Well...never thought I'd hold an alligator!
The Selma-Dallas County Public Library has converted its book sale room into the new Visitor Center at the Library. The center is open Monday through Saturday during library hours, and visitors can come in and get information, including brochures for various events, tours and specialty shopping. A video about Selma's history plays on an overhead television. The center is a project of the Chamber of Commerce, library and City of Selma. Soon, signs will go up, and the center hopes to have volunteers staff the outdoor gazebo on Sunday afternoons.
Skies above the library courtyard were blue, blue, blue on Wednesday. The crepe myrtles are just beginning to bloom, and while I sat on a bench for all of five minutes, birds took turns splashing in the fountain (that photo will be another day).
In case you are BORED with summer already, don't fret! There are plenty of things to do at the library this week. Most have age and space limits, so pick up your free tickets at the library.
This sampler quilt hangs near the side entrance of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. The blocks were designed and stitched in recognition of schools and community organizations that contribute to the future of our children.
Wreaths, red bows and garlands are going up all over Selma, and these are on the side door of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. Reflected in the door's window panes is the former First Christian Church. 
Here's a closeup of the wrought-iron grillwork on the library balcony. Looking down, you see the elliptical rose garden, and across the street are the Downtowner Restaurant and other businesses.
