“I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, Speak to me in the easy way, which you always used. Put no difference in your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me and if you want to, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near; just around the corner. All is well.” –Henry Scott-Holland

The death of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity founder Albert “Bus” Hicks has left a void in the fellowship of Iota brothers. Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill, Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Baron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey, Jr. and Michael Williams founded the fraternity on the campus of Morgan State College in September 1963. Bus’ leadership qualities, sharp mind, quick wit and collegiate style of dress was an asset in the founding of Iota. Stroll on Bus. The Iota founders that have gone before are waiting to welcome you home.

Condolences to Angela Gibson and family on the death of her aunt Helen Russell Quarles; to Muriel Cole-Webber on the death of her father Alexander Webber; to Janet Merritt on the death of her husband Roland Merritt and to the Merritt family on the death of your brother Roland Merritt Jr. and John Stanley and family on the death of your sister Georgine Patterson.

“Any time women come together with a collective intention, it’s a powerful thing. Whether it’s sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.” – Phylicia Rashad

The DuBois Circle celebrated their 109th year at their annual closing meeting at Martin’s West during a sit-down dinner of crab cakes and prime rib where vocalist Darius Jackson, a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, entertained the guests. Baltimore author Sheri Booker was the guest speaker. Among the invitees were Beverly and John Carter, Nannette Mitchell, Judge Marcella Holland, Beverly Cooper, Donna Wilson, Charles Johnson, Edmonia Yates, Yvonne Lansey, Elise Mason, Maxine Wood, Margaret Shipley, Gladys Reed, Ann Koger, Candace Simms, Roslyn Wiley, Roslyn Wood, Sheryl and Wesley Wood and Marilyn Mosby.

 “My family lived off the land and summer evening meals featured baked stuffed tomatoes, potato salad, corn on the cob, fresh-shelled peas and homemade ice cream with strawberries from our garden. With no air conditioning in those days, the cool porch was the center of our universe after the scorching days.” – David Mixner

Summer is the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with family, friends, memories and nature and what better place to gather for a BBQ then Patapsco State Park. On Saturday, the neighbors of Montwood Road in Woodlawn invited family and friends for an old-fashioned cookout with neighbor Sylvia Jones frying fish as other fried chicken and attended the grill. This event started forty years ago when the neighbors decided to combine their cooking and grilling skills at one big cookout. This year the children of the neighborhood continued the tradition their parents started. Guests and neighbors enjoying the evening were Sandi and Jai Matthews, Dennis and Jackie, Sylvia and John Jones, Shirley Richmond, Robert Chambliss, Caprice Griffin and Margaret Sullivan. Neighborhood kid Tim Jones provided the music.

“Here we go again” “come Sunday” back at Patapsco Park for 3 No Trumps Bridge Club’s annual cookout. Members Pat Roselle, Carolyn Wainwright, Aldonna Wylie, Charlene Cooper-Boston, Sara Smalley, Brenda Sykes, Rosemary Atkinson, Jean Powell, Shirley Richmond and Steve Wainwright invited guests to wine and dine in style at attractively decorated tables with fresh flowers, champagne, mixed concoctions and more in the midst of mother-nature. Guest enjoying the lovely afternoon was Jake Oliver (publisher of {The AFRO}), Gladys and Robert Rice, Napoleon Sykes, Helen and Adolph McDonald, Laura and Karl Knight, Eugene Smalley, Victor Green, Barbara Armstrong, Myra Queen, Marie Brown, Marian Davis-Foster, Deborah Hawkins, Deborah Courtney, Susan Ellison, Anita Hunter, Goldie and Judson Wood, and Myrna and Mike Cann.

“There’s no place like home.” – Frank Baum

Liberty Live on Friday nights means summer jazz in Randallstown at Kings Point Square hosted by Liberty Road Business Association. Neighbors and jazz lovers enjoyed a magnificent evening relaxing in the “summer breeze”. Friday night jazz continues through August 7, 2015.

“I’m a travelin’ man I’ve made a lot of stops all over the world.”- Ricky Nelson

Everett and Stella Fullwood Travel have an exclusive itinerary to assist you in your travel arrangements for 2015 – 2016 seasons for local, national and global destinations. Call 410-542-2530 or stella@fullwoodtravel.com.

People in the news are Wendell “Pete” France, acting deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Correctional Services, and Eric Franklin, president and CEO of ERIMAX. They have been appointed to the board of directors of Leadership Maryland.

Thinking of you, Poet Reginald and Katherine Harris.

Happy birthday Bishop James Nelson, Dr. Marian Davis-Foster, Takiea Hinton, Thurman Pinder, Smittie Milan, Dorothy Boulware and a special happy 90th to Mary Alice Holland.

“I’ll be seeing you.” –Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch

“Aleuta Continua”