All of my images and the story, are courtesy of The Courier-Post:
The Story:Oprah makes visit to Whitesboro memorable
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP — Oprah Winfrey and her longtime boyfriend, Stedman Graham, rode into rural Whitesboro's community festival Saturday as legends.
They left as heroes.
At least 500 people from across the region came to hear the Queen of Television speak at a reunion of Middle Township School District alumni and members of the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, a group dedicated to improving the small town.
Whitesboro is a tiny, rural community founded in 1901 as a settlement for African Americans leaving the South.
Graham, a native of the area and graduate of Middle Township schools, has been involved in many of the group's initiatives, including renovating public facilities and sports fields.
Winfrey commanded the podium with stories about the importance of voting, the necessity of education and the all-knowing spirit of Jesus.
Most of the crowd jumped to their feet and cheered Winfrey at least a dozen times, and even sang in unison a verse from "I Surrender All," an old gospel hymn. Then Winfrey offered a miracle of her own, pledging $1 million to local educational scholarships in the coming years. She left the first installment of $220,000.
"We grew up when getting straight A's didn't mean you were trying to act white, but you were trying to act right," Winfrey said to the crowd's cheers. "There is no greater chance for success than education."
Before she made the announcement, which brought several community members to tears, Winfrey complained at how society was allowing mediocrity to prevail, failing children and watching too many students fall through the cracks. Without education, she and Graham would not be where they are, she said.
She implored people to find the possible in the impossible, and strive for your dreams. Winfrey, who had just flown back from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, said they cannot fight and make change without voting, and of course, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the man for the job. But just the performing the act of voting would please her.
Winfrey emphasized that she is rarely political, but she has been compelled to act.
"But if you're not willing to stand up for what you believe in, then you can sit down and shut up," said Winfrey, who last gave a speech in the Cape May County town in 1998.
During the two-hour ceremony, several members of the community were honored, including Camden School District Superintendent B. LeFra Young, who is a product of Middle Township schools. Young gave a rousing speech, where she said she took the job in Camden because she saw the possibilities for greatness in the cash-strapped and tarnished city.
Community leaders declared the day in honor of Graham, and everyone thanked his mother, Mary Graham.
"It was a nice day. I liked it all," Mary Graham said after the presentations.
Rose Wynne, and her 21-year-old son, Jimmy, of Deptford said they have come to the festival for the past 10 years trying to see Winfrey because they're big fans, and Saturday's festivities were a great summer-ending treat.
The festivities continue through today.
Reach Joseph Gidjunis at (856) 486-2604 or jgidjunis@gannett.com
