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Old stories and memories were shared during Dr. Max Parker’s book signing of the third edition of “Escambia County Training School: Remember that time… Stories Never Told” June 27 at the PCRC Building in Atmore.

A full program, including presentations of gifts, the school song being sung and a speaker, unfolded for the alumni that were present. A lunch was served, followed by the book signing.

Coach Jim Parker, class of 1968 and Parker’s brother, introduced Max.

“When we were growing up, we called him ‘Sweet’,” Jim said. “I never understood why my mother called him ‘Sweet.’”

Jim recalled that his brother was a thinker of many things.

Max spent time thanking the community for its help making the book possible.

“It takes a community to write a book,” Max said.

He then recognized the research team and other contributors of the book. Eighteen authors wrote stories for the book.

“The theme of this program is light it up,” Max said. “Let your light shine.”

Max described Dr. Ulysses McBride as a diamond in the sky. He said the third edition of the book is dedicated to McBride.

Excerpts from the book were read as well, and a trivia game was played.

According to Advance archives, the third edition of the book tells the coming of age stories of many people growing up in rural Alabama in the 1950s and 1960s, and the many experiences, reactions and choices made by students leaving high school, about to embark upon a world that seemed as large as the universe. There lies a premise that something great can come from humble beginnings. The book also chronicles the incredible achievements of people who attended or graduated from the school prior to public school integration in Alabama in 1970, and beyond.