“One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.” - Anonymous
“Daddy’s girl.” Happy Father’s Day to my daddy, Benjamin Scott Johnson of Washington, D.C. Don’t worry daddy, it won’t be Ben’s Chili Bowl this year; we can go to President Obama’s new spot, Five Guys. I’ll see you Sunday. You decide where we go. I still miss Duke Ziebert’s Restaurant.
Happy Father’s Day too to my sons Keith and Michael Lee and my son-in-law, Lt. Col. Gregory Packer. I am so proud of the fathers you have become; you truly lead by example.
Happy Father’s Day especially to the Friday Night Bunch and the Wednesday Sportsmen.
“Functions at the junction.” Pre Father’s Day Jazz in the Sanctuary to support the Boy Scouts, June 19 at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, featuring the legendary Judd Watkins. Call Claud Artis or Leo Burroughs at 410-523-6118 for tickets.
June 20, Frank Coakley's church St. Mary the Virgin in Walbrook Junction is hosting a jazz fest with Dennis Fisher and the Winston School band. Call Frank for tickets.
Sunday Urban Soul is hosting a jazz dinner at Eubie Blake. Contact Wendle Billips at usjazzfoundation.org
“It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.”
Anne Sexton
"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed - Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, its better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.”
Jack Handy
At the premiere of the “Marc Clarke Show”, Julie King introduced me to her client, comedian Larry Lancaster. I love to laugh so either Larry was extremely funny or it might have been that ball park beer I was drinking at the reception. This young man was hilarious. I laughed hard and long, you know the kind of laughter that after you think you have finished laughing it starts all over. It was uncontrollable, it was infectious and Betsy Gardner and Caprice Garrett were laughing with me. It was hysterical.
“A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around.”
Carolyn Birmingham
Seriously folks, it wasn’t the ball park beer, this guy is funny. He reminded me of Sinbad—not one four-letter word during the whole performance. Friends enjoying the show were Beverly Fauntleroy, Dr. William Proctor, Mildred Harper, attorney Granville Templeton, Charlie and Darlene Stewart, Barbara Banks, Charles Owens, Marsha Logan, Michael Guye, Roxanne Umphrey and The Friday Night Bunch.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
“According to your faith be it unto you,” Matthew 9:29. We were “Spellbound” when Eric Stewart gave thanks to God for moving him in the direction to produce the show (“Marc Clarke”), and how his faith was tested.
“Give me a woman who loves beer and I will conquer the world.”
Kaiser Welhelm
“Ain’t the beer cold?” Now back to ball park beer. I love Amstel Light, however, it is not always available so it becomes a dilemma what kind of beer to drink. The members of the Friday Night Bunch like Coors Light (cold water) and my buddy John Gilliam swears by the “king of beer”, Budweiser so they wait to see what I will drink when Amstel is not available. When the stadium first opened, they did not serve Amstel. A friend said. “Just order a beer.” I said, “I hope John doesn’t find out about me drinking a Bud (ugh).” He said, “Just say you are drinking ball park beer.” So, if you ever see me drinking anything but Amstel, I am drinking ball park beer. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.
“He was a wise man who invented beer."
Plato
Speaking of beer, it’s time to start our coldest beer competition. We had so much fun going to the places you recommended searching for the coldest beer so, “let’s do it again.” If you are thinking, “I know a place,” send it to Valerie@afro.com
Celebration time!! Happy birthday Laverne Naesea, June Brown, and Theresa Knowles.
Congratulations 2009 graduates, Shirley Hudson, who graduated from Western High School with a 95.7 average and who is attending Ball State University and Christina Lee Chase from Woodlawn High School who is going to Coppin State University.
“We thought by incorporating our goals in an organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, we could pass them on to future generations.”
Winona Cargile Alexander (one of the founders)
Welcome to Baltimore Sorors. Visine will not remove the red from your eyes as more than 2,500 members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority converge on Baltimore. “Put on your red dress” for the 47th Eastern Regional Conference June 18-21st. Scheduled events include a golf tournament at Forest Park Golf Course, dinner cruise, step show and a party at Eden’s Lounge.
You may forget the one with whom you have laughed, but never the one with whom you have wept.”
Khalil Gibran
Happy Juneteenth.
- Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
A luta continua