This is one of the happiest moments of my life, and I want to thank each one of you who had a part in selecting me for one of their awards, for your kindness. It has made me feel very, very humble; and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything that I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel, and may I say thank you and God bless you.” – Hattie McDaniel
Baltimore’s own General William “Kip” Ward is this year’s recipient of the 2010 Trumpet Award. The Trumpet Awards acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals who have significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of life for all. The award showcases individuals and/or groups who enhance the richness of this great global society by partnering with the cause of justice and equality.
“Did you ever know that you’re my hero, and everything I would like to be?”
General Ward recently received the lifetime achievement award at the 2010 Black Engineer of the Year Awards gala at the Baltimore Hilton Hotel. It was an emotional moment when the cadets from West Point saluted and posed for pictures with General Ward and Lt. Gen. Dennis Via. Joyce Ward and I were in awe during the historic moment, realizing we were watching our future leaders pay homage to our current leaders.
“I’ve been playing all of my life, since I was seven years old. I’m now 83. All of a sudden I woke up one morning and I couldn’t play. Just like that.” – Dr. Billy Taylor
“Guess who I saw today” was the response shared by my daughter Lisa, son-in-law Greg and grandsons, saxophonist Gregory and trumpeter Matthew, when they met the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor during a recent concert at the Kennedy Center Jazz Café.
“The second time around” was the greeting Carl Stokes received from family and supporters on his return to the City Council. Carl replaced Bernard Jack Young as the new president of the City Council.
Congratulations to Carl, Bernard and Stephanie as they lead the City of Baltimore forward.
The reception hosted by Anthony McCarthy, Kevin Brown and Bill Maughlin at Bill and Kevin’s Station North Arts Café Gallery in the theater district had more than a 100 guests celebrating Carl’s return to politics. Guests enjoying the pulled pork, pasta alfredo and Bill’s mouthwatering brownies were radio hosts Konan, Sen. Larry Young and Marc Steiner, Sam and Lydia Redd, Councilman Warren Branch, Mary Holter, Kay Murrell, Gregory Kane, Andrea Bland, David Scott, Jawauna Greene, Betsy Gardner, Marilyn Harris and Caprece Garrett.
“Eat. Drink. Look. Listen” is the mantra at the Café, a great place to sit and chat while enjoying hot cornbread, oatmeal, Belgian waffles, assorted sandwiches and more.
“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” – Stevie Wonder
Charlotte Harper was “simply beautiful” entering the Maryland ballroom on the arms of her sons–in–law Eric Mays and Harold Jones for her 90th birthday celebration at the Hunt Valley Marriott.
Her daughters, Sharon Mays and Cheryl Jones, glowed when they spoke of their mother’s love and reflected on her life. Ralph Edwards proclaimed “this is your life” to Charlotte Harper, which brought shouts of delight from the guests. The video featured phases of her life including photos of her grandparents, parents, family members and friends. It also showcased her childhood, marriage and courtship to Mr. Charles, her children, life as an educator and world traveler and Christian women.
Guests enjoying the celebration and buffet of salmon, chicken and all the trimmings included her AKA sorority sisters, Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist church family, Stephanie Lee, Olivia Fearon, Reginald Lee, Stuart and Candace Simms, Muriel Johnson, Nannette Mitchell, William Lane, Tamarah Bowman. Trazana Beverly, Lois Beverly, Muriel Gates, Lillian Thaniels, Cardrienne and James Griffin, Idella Nichols and Bishop and Mrs. Forrest Stith.
It’s Your Birthday
Happy birthday to Judy Tonkins, Margaret Lee, Michele Emery, Dan Henson, Ora Washington, Joseph “Trail Boss” Parker, Margaret Sullivan, Poly student Michael Greene, Myron Bundy, DJ Tanz, Larry Winkler and my daddy Benjamin Scott Johnson.
“Happiness is spiritual, born of truth and love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.” – Mary Eddy Baker
Friends of Lydia McCargo Redd joined her husband Sam at Crush’s Restaurant in Belvedere Square to celebrate her birthday. “I got options” The personally engraved three course menu gave guests many options. I chose the shrimp & grits with andouille sausage, Kobe beef filet with oysters, bleu cheese potatoes and blueberry cake. Other options included Salmon with lobster mashed potatoes, pasta and chicken.
Monday I went back for lunch for the plump, “juicy,” crispy fried oysters. People celebrating the “sweet spirit” of Lydia were John and Charlene McCargo, Judge Yvonne Holt-Stone, Edie Green, Norva