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A loving tribute: BTW basketball court dedicated to Witherspoon

Linda Witherspoon (left) and Lisa Addison, wife and daughter, respectively, of the late Don Witherspoon, unveil the dedication sign at the Donald E. Witherspoon Memorial Basketball Court at the Booker T. Washington Park on Friday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

When the late Don Witherspoon was growing up in Claysburg, his mother would tell him and his siblings to “carry yourselves in a nice way, and people will do things for you,” according to one of those siblings Friday at a ceremony marking the attachment of Witherspoon’s name to the basketball court at the Booker T. Washington Park in Fifth Ward.

The turnout of about 60 people for the dedication, and the tributes they gave the longtime president of the Blair County NAACP, would seem to justify that advice.

Those tributes came from prominent community figures, the kind of “heavy duty” individuals Don Witherspoon often “rubbed elbows with,” as brother Jeremiah put it, speaking at the event organized by the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission and the Booker T. Washington Revitalization Corp.

It turned out that Don ended up “a big shot himself,” said Jeremiah, who lives in Trenton, N.J.

But he didn’t use his mother’s advice as a means of self-aggrandizement. Rather, it was “to help everybody,” Jeremiah said, “no matter what color you were.”

Linda Witherspoon (left) and Lisa Addison, wife and daughter, respectively, of the late Don Witherspoon, listen to speakers during the dedication of the Donald E. Witherspoon Memorial Basketball Court at Booker T. Washington Park on Friday morning. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Don was “a people person,” said Bill Sweet, Witherspoon’s longtime NAACP vice president.

He was a natural mediator who “saw the best in everyone” and who could resolve issues in the county prison, in local workplaces and within the NAACP itself — by getting people to “talk things out,” Sweet said.

“If people started getting a little out of hand or there were tempers flaring, he always had the ability to bring the situation under control,” Sweet said.

His mother Mary Witherspoon’s advice was much like the “Do unto others” of the Gospel.

“Treat them good,” said Don’s brother John of Flint, Mich. “(In turn, they’ll) treat us good.”

Jerry Witherspoon, brother of the late Don Witherspoon, speaks during the dedication of the Donald E. Witherspoon Memorial Basketball Court on Friday morning. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Approach others with humility; show kindness and respect, said Don’s sister Patty Curry, summarizing their mother’s advice.

“And you’ll go places money won’t carry you,” Curry added.

All the siblings followed their mother’s advice, one way or another, Curry said.

Ultimately, “it’s about love,” she said.

Paris Thompson of Altoona, Don’s great-niece and Mary’s great-granddaughter, lived with Mary for the last three years of her life.

“We took care of each other,” Thompson said.

Her great-grandmother spoiled her, saving her from spankings when she was naughty.

They used to snuggle together.

“She was a saint,” Thompson said.

After the speeches, the event seemed less like a formal dedication and more like a family reunion.

“It feels like home,” Thompson said of the convivial gathering inside and outside the basketball court.

It was like a family reunion, but without the need to be related, she said.

“The stereotype is we’re loud and rambunctious,” Thompson said.

But there’s no call to be put off by the stereotype or by a difference in color, according to Thompson.

“Get around a good bunch of Black people,” she said. “Our hearts are always open.”

There will be a neighborhood block party at the basketball court, 1214 19th St., from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The hope is to promote a sense of community in the area, said Shasta Langenbacher, a member of the BTW Revitalization Corp. board.

The commission is planning a $50,000 to $60,000 renovation of the court, according to Executive Director Mike Hofer, who was master of ceremonies Friday.

It will comprise new backboards and standards, resurfacing with anti-skid material, with different colors for different areas of the court and improvements to prevent the puddling that now occurs after rain in one corner of the court, Hofer said.

Plans will be completed over the winter, bids will be advertised in the spring and another dedication should occur at the court in mid- to late-summer 2023, he said.

Construction would take a couple of weeks, he said.

The city is providing Community Development Block Grant money for the project.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.

If you go

What: Neighborhood block party

When: noon to 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Donald E. Witherspoon Memorial Basketball Court, Booker T. Washington Park, 1214 19th St.

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