S H O R T S H O R T S
SYNAGOGUE HEAD
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• to house an academic enrichment facility on the second floor
to serve as a safe haven for children and teenagers engaged in
the One Love Tennis program; and
• to restore the clay tennis courts on which Simpson was men-tored
by Eaton more than 60 years ago, during the era in which
the doctor invited neighborhood children like Simpson to
engage in tennis lessons led by the legendary Althea Gibson,
who resided in a second floor bedroom.
The former Eaton home at 1406 Orange Street was a gift to One
Love Tennis and to Lenny and JoAnn Simpson, caretakers of the
property, from David and Carolyn McLemore in February 2018.
The house and its grounds represent childhood touchstones for
Simpson, who launched his professional tennis career in tandem
with Arthur Ashe. Ashe and Simpson followed Gibson’s lead by
breaking down the sport’s color barrier and opening tennis courts
for all who wish to play tennis recreationally and professionally.
“Sixty-five years ago,” Simpson says, “Dr. Hubert Eaton and
Estelle Eaton had a ‘One Love’ tennis program. All we’re trying to do
is emulate it and carry on the legacy.”
— Marimar McNaughton
Coach Lenny Simpson with One Love Tennis participants at 1406
Orange Street in the former bedroom of Althea Gibson as CBS films a
documentary in 2018.
MARK SINCLAIR
with several hundred students from the
Wilmington School of Ballet, Studio 1 Dance
Conservatory, Glory Academy of Fine Arts
and Southside Dance Center.
Wilmington Ballet founder Elizabeth
Hester says, “Every year it gets bigger.” In the
decade during which she has been produc-ing
the “Great Wilmington Nutcracker,” she
has added aerial artists and stilt walkers,
and this year Special Olympics athletes will
perform during the party scene and again
during intermission. Also new this year is the
addition of the Thalian Association choir dur-ing
the Waltz of the Snowflakes.
“I’m really excited about the professional
caliber of the company,” she says, “but we
also try to be diverse and inclusive. It’s an
extraordinary holiday experience.”
This year’s Nutcracker opens with a mati-nee
at the Odell Williamson Auditorium in
Supply at 3 p.m. on December 9. The run
continues at the Wilson Center in Wilmington
at 6 p.m. December 15 and 3 p.m. December
16. Tickets for the historically sold-out shows
may be purchased online through the
Williamson Auditorium and Wilson Center
box offices. — Marimar McNaughton
RYAN KORESKO
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