“Forever mine all because you’re my kind, aw, baby, I got what you want, you got what I want
and we were made for each other. Forever mine and I’m so glad ’cause it gets better with time, oh, girl I like what you like, you likewhat I like and we were made for each other.” -The O’Jays
“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” Dalai Lama
Carlos Hutchins hosted a celebration in honor of those who supported him during his twenty years as an event promoter.
“You bring me joy.” In appreciation of his wife’s support Carlos presented Patsy an engraved gold Longines watch that belonged to his late mother Dorothy Jean Hutchins.
The crowd of over 500 supporters arrived at the Forum for an evening of jazz and other performances. Guests enjoying the evening were Candes Daniels, William and Regina Randall, Tony Randall, John and Deborah Carter, Rosa and William Trusty, Stephanie Yaste, Victor Green, Charles Faison, Eunice Robinson, Garland Perkins, Juanita Rollins, Dr. Charlene Cooper- Boston, Spencer and Ida Dobson, Yvonne Williams, Michael Bruce, Sandi and Jai Matthews, John Holt, Donnie and Gina Brown, Angela Alexander and Sherita Harris.
The highlight for the four Virgos: Yvonne Frye, Freddie Vaughn, Eunice Robinson and myself was The Forum’s maître de Antoine Perez presenting our table with a chilled bottle of Moet Champagne compliments of The Forum owners Reggie and Brian Haysbert in celebration of our birthdays.
“Cause uptown funk gon’ give it to you Saturday night and we in the spot. Don’t believe me just watch (come on) don’t believe me just watch uh” -Bruno Mars
This summer’s hottest song was Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk it had everyone “dancing in the street” at The J.U.G.S. (Justice, Unity, Generosity, Service International) crab feast. The J.U.G.S. mission supports the disadvantaged youth in Baltimore. The J.UG.S. elected Tobi Atkinson Pulley international president during the annual convention in Atlanta.
“…that’s when I knew you stole my heart away from me, that’s when I knew that I was sunk; that was the moment that I knew I was in love” -Alicia Keys
Wedding bells rang this summer for Kit Adams and Adele Terrell; Audra Smith-Manley and Vennieth McCormick; Jake Chambers and Carla Nelson and Chere Colfield and Christopher Goode.
“When I fall in love it will be forever or I’ll never fall in love. In a restless world like this is. Love is ended before it’s begun and too many moonlight kisses seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.
When I give my heart it will be completely or I’ll never give my heart and the moment I can feel that you feel that way too is when I fall in love with you.”-Nat King Cole
There were summer engagements.
“Let’s toast it up” to Dr. Cassandra Burnett daughter of Faye Burnett and the late Dr. Sydney Burnett on her engagement to Edward Flowers II and to Ryan Emanuel McNeill, son of Dr. Val and Michele Emery on his engagement to Lisa Marie Taylor, daughter of Denise Ross.
There were summer anniversaries.
“Living for you is easy, living it’s easy to live when you’re in love and I’m so in love. There’s nothing in life but you.” –Billie Holiday
“Do you know what today is? It’s our anniversary”-Toni Tony Tone’
Happy 49 years of marriage Rev. Dorothy and Herb Boulware (The Rev. Boulware is the former editor of The Afro); happy 47 years of marriage to Eugene and Sara Smalley, happy 46 years of marriage to Sheila and Irvin Weems; happy 43 years of marriage Brenda and Napoleon Sykes; happy 27 years of marriage Edward and Deborah Parker; happy 24 years of marriage Franklin and Gersha Porter; happy 23 years of marriage Lisa and Retired LTC.Gregory Packer and happy 15 years of marriage to John and Gail Bugg.
“Well, all right! Star child, Citizens of the Universe, Recording Angels. We have returned to claim the Pyramids partying on the Mothership. I am the Mothership Connection.” -George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
“If you think your heart can take it come fly with me” -Maurice “Hot Rod” Hulbert
The Virgo party and my birthday celebration at Colin’s Restaurant was not for the faint of heart. Virgos and friends “set it off” dancing to DJ P.O.P. Partygoers started arriving around 5 p.m. and it was on. The menu of pulled pork sliders, smothered pork chops, BBQ chicken and more was absolutely delicious. Champagne flowed freely as the party continued. Special thanks to owners Dante and Candes, manager Chris Calvi and Colin’s staff for a perfect night.
“Follow me.” “Come Sunday” we joined Miguel Stokes for a smashing Virgo party for dancing and more Moet champagne and Virgos celebrating this awesome month.
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.” -Khalil Gibran
Happy birthday, Auvea Fortune, Dr. Raymond Bowen, Michele Greer, David Couser, Romaine Wilkins, Robert Blount (advertising manager for The Afro), Margaret Johnson, Philip Strambler, Jeffrey Tarter, Barrington Branch, Eleanor Janey, Milton “Skip” Hamiel, Walter Carr and my sister Karen Johnson Chase. Special birthdays wish to Liston George who celebrated a milestone birthday with his daughters Brenda Baker and LaVerne Naesea in Bethany Beach surrounded by grand and great grandchildren.
To my dear friend Rosa Barber on her 90th birthday; to my first grandson Damien Richard Lee on his 28th birthday; to Sophia Blake, daughter of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings and Kent Blake, on her 12th birthday. Praise the Lord for Ruth Bowman’s 107th birthday, Aunt Rose for 103rd birthday and a happy 102nd birthday to Edna Harris.
“Never take for granted what God has given you. The same sun which melts ice, also hardens clay.”-Mercy Pheona
