Tense, treasured times on the Chitlin' Circuit
Assistant dean keeps alive memories of era of black history, entertainment
Laura Hawatmeh and Thomas Gatchell
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Features
Jones believes that her adoption prompted her father to focus on more reputable enterprises.
Though she has many fond memories of the circuit, she also remembers it for its solitude.
There was one other girl her age who often travelled the same circuit, but she spoke only French.
Jones' favorite place to visit was Tasley State Fair in Virginia.
The family that owned the fairgrounds also had a daughter, Raynell, around Jones' age. The two were playmates.
They had ponies, too, she noted.
Jones also loved Rosedale Beach, a black-owned beach and boardwalk in Delaware.
Armed with a basket, twine, a chicken neck and a net, she would spend hours on the pier, luring and catching a basketful of crabs, which her mom would cook or freeze.
Jones' touring days came to an end in 1959. Her dad decided it was time for Jones and her mom to stop touring the circuit and to settle down. Jones started Catholic School.
Even on the Chitlin' Circuit, she attended class every weekday. Her parents believed that education was paramount. (That belief followed her into adulthood. While employed at UDM, she has earned one master's degree and is working on a second.)
The keepsakes and memorabilia - the autographed photos of such performers as Lena Horne and Duke Ellington, the now-collectible carnival glass - are long gone.
But her vivid memories remain."I just find it all to be so cool," she said. "Everybody's normal is not the same. When you're living it, it's your normal. When you have time to reflect on it all, it does seem pretty good."
Though she has many fond memories of the circuit, she also remembers it for its solitude.
There was one other girl her age who often travelled the same circuit, but she spoke only French.
Jones' favorite place to visit was Tasley State Fair in Virginia.
The family that owned the fairgrounds also had a daughter, Raynell, around Jones' age. The two were playmates.
They had ponies, too, she noted.
Jones also loved Rosedale Beach, a black-owned beach and boardwalk in Delaware.
Armed with a basket, twine, a chicken neck and a net, she would spend hours on the pier, luring and catching a basketful of crabs, which her mom would cook or freeze.
Jones' touring days came to an end in 1959. Her dad decided it was time for Jones and her mom to stop touring the circuit and to settle down. Jones started Catholic School.
Even on the Chitlin' Circuit, she attended class every weekday. Her parents believed that education was paramount. (That belief followed her into adulthood. While employed at UDM, she has earned one master's degree and is working on a second.)
The keepsakes and memorabilia - the autographed photos of such performers as Lena Horne and Duke Ellington, the now-collectible carnival glass - are long gone.
But her vivid memories remain."I just find it all to be so cool," she said. "Everybody's normal is not the same. When you're living it, it's your normal. When you have time to reflect on it all, it does seem pretty good."
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