Former Pinhook residents break new ground

From left, Twan Robinson, Mary Strayhdorn, Aretha Robinson, Dora Brown, Lester Dunigan, George Williams, Debra Robinson Tarver and Walter Cooper prepare to dig at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

David Blalock hugs Aretha Robinson at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston. After numerous obstacles, seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes built in Sikeston, Missouri. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

A group of former Pinhook residents sing a rendition of the Lord's Prayer at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Crowds listen as a group of women sing a rendition of the Lord's Prayer at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Debra Robinson Tarver, former chairwoman of Pinhook community, listens as speeches are given at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Lester Miller with Mennonite Disaster Services operates a power trowel Jan. 26, 2018, at the site of a future home for former Pinhook residents in Sikeston, Missouri, as Pinhook residents mingle in the background after a groundbreaking ceremony. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Mayor Steven Burch dedicates land during a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Crowds listen as Mayor Steven Burch dedicates land at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Aretha Robinson wipes her eye while looking to the sky at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

From left, Vanessa Johnson, LaToya Robinson-Tate, Twan Robinson, Tamika Greer, Debra Robinson Tarver, Tamyra Greer, and Tiara Riggs-Butler sing a rendition of the Lord's Prayer at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

LaToya Robinson-Tate, left, wipes a tear from her eye while standing with Debra Robinson Tarver, former chairwoman of Pinhook community, at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Debra Robinson Tarver, former chairwoman of Pinhook community, speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Lester Dunigan, left, and George Williams prepare to break ground Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

From left, Twan Robinson, Mary Strayhdorn, Aretha Robinson, Dora Brown, Lester Dunigan, George Williams, Debra Robinson Tarver and Walter Cooper break ground at a ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

From left, Mary Strayhdorn looks over as Aretha Robinson hoists her shovel with help from George Williams and Dora Brown at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kyle Schott of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Ben and Rose Porter speak at a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Lester Miller with Mennonite Disaster Services operates a power trowel Jan. 26, 2018, at the site of a future home for former Pinhook residents in Sikeston, Missouri. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Marcus, center, and Steve Yoder with Mennonite Disaster Services operate a power trowel Jan. 26, 2018, in Sikeston, Missouri, where seven former Pinhook residents will get new homes. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)