Travel

ABOVE PHOTO: Willingtown Square  (Photos: Renée S. Gordon) By Renée S. Gordon On Monday, September 17, 1849, Araminta “Minty” Ross set out from Poplar Neck Plantation, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, to freedom in the North. Prior to her escape, she changed her name to Harriet, after her mother, and took her husband’s last name….

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ABOVE PHOTO: Arches National Park in Moab, Utah.   (Photo: shutterstock) By Andrea Lawful Sanders On Friday, September 13 — and 6,165 miles of driving later — my friend Denise and I made it home from our tour across middle America.  When we left Colorado, we went on to Utah, where we visited the majestic National…

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ABOVE PHOTO: Wilson Peak and the San Juan Mountains, Colorado  (Photo: Robert Cicchetti / shutterstock) By Andrea Lawful Sanders On July 29, 2018, I packed up a car, promised my concerned husband that I would be perfectly safe, and headed across America, dragging my newly retired friend with me.    Two Black women proceeded alone…

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By Renee Gordon The first Europeans in the southern region of Maryland — today’s 10-mile long South Potomac Heritage Scenic Corridor portion*– were met by the Piscataway Indians who lived there since 1300. Regional native habitation dates back 13,000 years and was the site of a thriving culture. Captain John Smith mapped the expanse in…

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ABOVE PHOTO: Atlanta Motor Speedway   (Photo: shutterstock) By Renée S. Gordon Hampton, located 26 miles south of Atlanta, has a population of less than 10,000 but receives thousands of visitors annually, who are drawn by the city’s unique sites and attractions. Seven years ago, Hampton was deemed a “Playful City,” one of under 220 in…

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ABOVE PHOTO: From left to right: Filmmakers Gabriel and Javier from the short film “Wonder.”  By Andrea Lawful Sanders While there were many films to watch over a period of days for the African American Film Festival, here are a few that stood out for the audiences. “The Influencers” Twenty four year old graduate student…

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BPT Planning a trip abroad? That’s exciting! But you have lots to do and less time than you think to get it done. What do you need to accomplish before leaving? Here’s a handy checklist to help you get your ducks in a row. Passport If you have a current passport, check the expiration date….

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ABOVE PHOTO: Floyd Baptist Church  (Photo: Renée S. Gordon) By Renée S. Gordon Henry County, Georgia, comprised of four major communities — Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough, and Stockbridge — is situated 20 miles from downtown Atlanta. It was named in honor of Patrick Henry upon its creation in 1821 on land obtained through a treaty…

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ABOVE PHOTO: Hot Springs Arkansas  (Photos:  shutterstock) BPT The warm months have arrived, bringing with them longer days and the promise of new family memories to be made. An affordable getaway to The Natural State is the perfect excuse to soak up all the fun and sun this time of year offers. Centrally located and…

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By Renée S. Gordon Jacques Cartier reached the island at the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers in October 1535 and became the first European to explore the area. A fortified indigenous village, Hochelaga, preexisted on the island and was described as having about 1,500 residents and 50 longhouses. The natives accompanied Cartier…

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