“If you’ve got character, you’ve got competence, you’ve got accomplishment, and these are the only things that make you somebody in this country. It’s got nothing to do with where you came from or who your parents are.” - Margaret Bush Wilson
“'Phenomenal Woman'
The death of Councilwoman Paula Johnson Branch’s grandmother Catherine Daugherty at the age of 100 brought back memories of nights I spent as a child at her home with Paula, sitting up till the wee hours sipping tea and learning the wisdom of this fine, gentle woman as she listened to our thoughts, dreams and aspirations.
“The kind of beauty I want most is the hard to get kind that comes from within, strength, courage, dignity.” - Ruby Dee
‘You are so beautiful to me’
Ms. Catherine would gently laugh at our antics, never scolding but enjoying our company and the comfort of knowing that we enjoyed being in her company. A striking presence in her crisp white uniform and with her snow white hair, she traveled all over the city on the MTA performing her duties as a private duty nurse. She was independent well into her late 90s. She never forgot anything, often saying to me, “You could find a job anywhere and you always got Paula one.” We would laugh because she was remembering our working at Grant’s. (Holla if you remember Grant’s).
‘Love means never having to say you’re sorry’
Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend my adopted grandmother’s home going celebration. We said goodbye the day she lost her independence. I love you, Ms. Catherine. There’s a special motor coach heaven bound reserved just for you. Your sons Carlos, Jimmy and Paul are waiting for you at heaven’s gate. They asked the driver to stop off at Lexington Market for your ultimate purchases before you reach your final destination. Once you enter the kingdom strut in your crisp white uniform with your “pretty wings.” You’ve earned the victory.
‘Sitting in the park’
The winter picnic in Patapsco State Park hosted by “five women and a guy”--- Libby Massey, Yvonne West, Blandette Lynch, Everlon Moulton, Maxine Turnipseed and Willard Wright-- was a blast. Keeping with the Halloween picnic theme, the ladies wore grass skirts with leis adorning their ankles. Among the guests enjoying the beautiful Sunday afternoon were Anton Sawyer, Jackie Brock, Harold Darden, Emogene White, Julia Hines, Beverly Jackson, David Evans, Rhoda Fassett, Stanley Williams, Doug & Linda Hollis, Queen and Walter Carr, Victor Green, Mr. and Mrs. John Wolf, Pat Roselle, Valerie and Reggie Morgan, Phyllis Watkins, Stephanie Stevenson, Julian Moyse, Yvonne Frye, Jannette Little, Purcell Wylie, Napoleon and Brenda Sykes, Derrick Camper, June Brown, Harry Prather and everyone’s favorite photographer Anderson Ward. This annual event is always a fun time. The beautiful foliage on the trees added to the beauty of the day. The tables piled high with arrays of food, drinks and the open pit barbecue only enhanced the picnic that had everyone on the dance floor “grooving on a Sunday afternoon.”
“It’s all over now,” the “summer breeze” is “gone too soon” “beyond the sea.”
I missed doing a few things that I enjoy in the summer like the Sandy Point seafood festival where it’s always fun seeing Dorothy and Charlie Brown, Dr. Guy and Joslyn Alexander and Jarrett. “Blame it on me.” Rita’s closed before I could get a gelato, the tomatoes never seemed just right for that tomato sandwich on white with mayo and I didn’t get those soft shell crabs. “Send in the clowns, well, maybe next year.”
“Not everything that is faced can be changed. However, nothing can be changed until it is faced.”- James Baldwin
The River of Life Christian center is hosting “The 24 hour turnaround,” a conference for women Oct. 23 and 24. The healing workshops will talk about marriages, wounds of divorce, sexual abuse, abortions and miscarriages. Go to www.thebestview.org for details.
“Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” - Langston Hughes
Ray Haysbert and family are getting ready for The Forum’s 30th anniversary celebration featuring a night of harvest, jazz, soul and comedy on Oct. 30. For tickets visit www.charmcityjazz.com. “Betcha by golly wow” you don’t want to miss this event and the Forum’s world famous fried chicken.
The Immeasurable gospel group “gotta serve somebody” at their Chicken & Waffle restaurant on Pratt Street, featuring their signature grilled chicken breasts and waffles smothered in gravy. After dining go upstairs to David’s Place, a Christian nightclub featuring line dancing, comedy, virgin drinks and open mic night. Call 410- 464-7106 for details.
“You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.” - Bob Hope
Celebration time. Happy birthday Minnie Carter, Lucille McCoy, Lyberia Massey, Lynda Brown, Sandy Boyd, Allyson Lee, Delores Robinson, AJ Miles, Gladys Rice, James “Dickey” Harris, Rosalie Griffin and the Hon. Kweisi Mfume.
“Wedding bells” recently rang for Deborah Courtney and McKinley Peterson. We wish you many years of “love and happiness.”
Condolences to Wendell Pete France and family on the death of his brother Michael Rock.
“You can't start worrying about what's going to happen. You get spastic enough worrying about what's happening now.” - Lauren Bacall
The healthcare debate will be the theme for Woman Power Inc.’s annual conference Oct. 24 at The Forum Caterers. Contact Erla McKinnon at 410- 383-9281 for tickets.
Get well wishes to Shirley Richmond, Susan King, Cynthia Harvin and Bernadette Adams.
“I’ll be there.”
-Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
A luta continua