Plenty of activities abound in Rockingham County in memory of Martin Luther King Jr.

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday this holiday weekend. Rockingham County will have a number of events commemorating this special day.

Eden Branch NAACP Humanitarian Banquet

The 14th Annual NAACP Humanitarian banquet will be observed Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Morehead High School cafeteria. “The past and the future” is the theme.

Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson is the guest speaker. Johnson believes that “decisions should be based on what is in the best interest of all people,” according to her resume.

The humanitarian banquet will have a four-fold purpose: to remember King, his crusade and his dream; to observe the 100th anniversary of the NAACP and those first warriors that fought for equal rights; to celebrate the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president; and to remember all deceased presidents of the local NAACP chapter.

A special appeal is being made to all young adults to become life members of the Eden Branch NAACP and be a part of the change.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. To buy a ticket in advance, call Malcolm Allen, Eden Branch NAACP president, at 623-8060.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Unity Breakfast

The Reidsville Human Relations Commission, Reidsville Chamber of Commerce and Reidsville Branch NAACP present the annual Martin Luther King Jr. unity breakfast. The theme is “keeping the dream alive through unity” by understanding and working with each other. The breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. Monday and the program begins at 8:30 a.m. at Zion Baptist Church at 807 Piedmont St. in Reidsville.

“This is a particular time for us to pull together to look at each other as all of God’s children,” said Judge Pat Morgan. “It’s always a rewarding experience.”

The keynote speaker is Marisol Jimenez McGee, an instructor at N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 20 years, Morgan said Hispanics will be the largest minority population in the United States, according to predictions based on research.

Admission to the breakfast is $8. Advance tickets may be purchased from sponsor organization members. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call 349-8481. Proceeds from ticket sales go to the scholarship fund to help a Reidsville High School student with tuition at Rockingham Community College.

In cooperation with Rockingham County Reads, a collection point will be set up for donations for the homeless for the following items: socks, mittens and gloves, coats and blankets, and toiletries such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste.

Other citywide Martin Luther King Day events:

— Reidsville residents are invited to gather on the steps of City Hall at 2 p.m. Monday for a commemorative speech. After that, people are invited to a memorial service at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Hubbard Street. The program will begin at 3 p.m. Geraldine Kimber will be the recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. award, which goes to “someone who does a lot in the community,” according to the Rev. Ralph Watkins, pastor of Grooms Baptist Church.

— The Reidsville Ministerial Alliance Pre-Martin Luther King memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Holy Tabernacle on Smith Street.

— The Reidsville Ministerial Alliance will have a benefit basketball game from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Reidsville Senior High School. All proceeds will benefit the ministerial alliance, which will use the funds for programs in the local elementary schools.

Entertainment at Eden’s Golden Apple

At the Golden Apple in Eden this weekend, a DJ will begin at 10 p.m. Friday. The Worx will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday. The cover charge is $10.

Staff Writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.