the alley Newspaper | News & Views of Phillips Since 1976

Charles Broden: Soldier and Freedom Seeker

Written by the alley on 04 June 2025

from the series Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery…

Number 235 in a Series

By SUE HUNTER WEIR

Charles Broden was one of an unknown number of Black men who served in the Union Army but who never qualified for military benefits because they lacked the necessary documentation. In 1890, he filed for a military pension in which he described the duties that he performed for Union soldiers during the War. According to Mr. Broden, he was attached to Company A of the 38th Iowa Infantry, on December 15, 1862, at New Madrid, Missouri. For two months he worked as a cook and did odd jobs. Then, he was assigned to look after the officers’ horses. He received paychecks, wore a private’s uniform, and ate military rations. He was discharged on September 15, 1863, and was given “quite a lot of money.” He could not read or write and assumed that the papers that he was given were official discharge papers. By the time that he applied for a pension in 1890, he had lost those papers. On September 21, 1891, it was noted in his file that those investigating his claim had “failed to find his name” in military records.… Read the rest “Charles Broden: Soldier and Freedom Seeker”

An artist’s touch is felt in all parts of her process—the work of South Junior Tobi Grumdahl Moskowitz

Written by the alley on 04 June 2025

By OLIVER STRICHERZ

As AP season at South comes to a close, countless students are living in academic fatigue. Many wonder if their efforts exist in vain after they stumble through these lofty exams, but in the case of AP Art students, this is far from the truth. This previous school week, ending on May 9, students in Cynthia Berger’s AP Art class finished submitting their portfolios, consisting of 15 works (can include completed works, progress photos, and more), meant to explore an inquiry-based sustained investigation. Since the beginning of the school year, they’ve created a body of work that will live far beyond their deadlines. The final brush strokes and kiln firings solidify their artistic efforts, an eternal snapshot of the teenage artistry of these students. This shines through deeply in the portfolio of South Junior and ceramicist, Tobi Grumdahl Moskowitz.

Assorted Works – Different vessels with affixed ceramic hands created by Grumdahl Moskowitz to answer the question, “Can touch be rendered visible?” PHOTO: Tobi Grumdahl Moskowitz

This year, after creative deliberation, Grumdahl Moskowitz decided that her sustained investigation in AP Art would revolve around touch. Explaining this, Grumdahl Moskowitz stated that, “My investigation seeks a way to express the role of touch and hands in the creation of all art.”… Read the rest “An artist’s touch is felt in all parts of her process—the work of South Junior Tobi Grumdahl Moskowitz”