V Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
The Port Jefferson History and Nature Center focused on the art of teaching Monday morning as artist and sculptor Kathie Cox was on hand to dedicate her creation, “The Teacher”.
Cox was surrounded by both local and national dignitaries as the installation of three Texas Honey Bears at the corner of Dallas and Polk streets was formally dedicated.
Texas U.S. Representative Nathaniel Moran was the keynote speaker for the dedication.
“I want to say in thank you for your extraordinary work. Thank you for your vision, thank you for the hours of toil, and for the mistakes and for the for the lessons learned along the way. And for taking the time to make an eternal impact on the community of Jefferson to say I want to put my work here for kids, for adults, for everybody to enjoy it to learn from and to grow from. So that becomes part of who they are becomes part of who this community is,” he said.
Moran also spoke on the importance of education and how nature teaches through example instead of with words.
“That’s what a lot of the teachers in nature do is they teach the next generation of teachers so they can perpetuate the growing independence. And that’s how we can ensure that the generation to come is not only dependent on the prior generation, but becomes independent, and becomes teachers of their own.”
Cox spoke briefly on the sculptures and her working with Collins on creating the bears.
“It’s such a privilege to be able to do these bears for Jefferson,” said Cox. “It’s been a long journey and I was just so happy to see them finally in their real home.”
She said her interaction with Collins and his long friendship with her husband helped provide the impetus of a mother bear teaching her cubs and how they grow and learn over their lives.
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker thanked Collins for the years of dedication to the City through donations and dedication to preserving Jefferson.
“I get lots of accolades on who did the park; what’s the history of the park; you know, I love the art and that sort of thing. So often you can go to a historic town and everything’s old and brick and nothing else. This gives it a fresh touch with nature, which is a gateway to the bayou,” said Baker. “We really appreciate the partnership that we’ve had with [Collins] for a number of years. The whole Collins family really represents well, and we’re glad to have you here. You’ve done so much for this City in so many different ways. Keep doing it.”