no. 113

HOMECOMING NEWS

Crowne Plaza Fully Booked

As of Sept. 8, our room block at the Crowne Plaza Hotel has been fully booked. There is a glitch, however. Some of the rooms have been booked by folks who are not in our class. The class leadership is currently working with the CP management to alleviate this issue. It has been decided that in the future we will use an additional private code to eliminate this problem. I'm told that other classes already have this strategy in place.

That said, if anyone who has reserved multiple rooms isn't going to use them all, please let me know as we do have a small waiting list of people who would like to book them. Right now we have seven rooms that have been booked by outsiders. If we are not able to resolve this issue before homecoming, there are still rooms at the Holiday Inn Coliseum, starting at $76 per night.

Marcia Fields Milton is looking for an additional room at the Crowne Plaza in case anyone is relinquishing one now.

Party Update

Right now Ed Estes is updating our flyer and by next week we should have ironed out all of the details concerning the Saturday night jam at the American Legion Hall in Phoebus. Altamarie Burroughs suggested that we might be able to work around the no cash exchange on the premises issue by using a credit card machine. I think that there's even an AP for that on my iPhone! At any rate, if any classmates have access to a portable credit card reader, please let me know ASAP. If not, Ed had another viable suggestion about using tokens to purchase drinks. These tokens, however, would still have to be pre-paid.

If given a choice between pre-paying for the party by credit card (pay-pal), check or purchasing on campus Friday or Saturday, which option would you prefer?

CLASS NEWS

Leah Crocker, who is in better shape than most 20-year-olds, is once again participating in the Walk to Cure Lupus on Oct. 23 in Atlanta. Please click on: http://walk.lupusresearch.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=2550&px=1013215 to make a tax-deductible donation on her behalf, and include her ID number: GAA-520045.

Leah's good friend and soror Lauren Jones will also be walking with Leah and is seeking contributions on her home page: http://walk.lupusresearch.org/site/TR?px=1993419&pg=personal&fr_id=2550&et=3lzYdZXqeJ9-8o_6StKp7A..&s_tafId=24091

Please support them both!

Johnson Family Champ

Kelvin and Pam Jones Johnson are the proud parents of a champion! Check out Kelvin Jr.'s story below!
http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/sports/96-lockerroom/13896-champ-last-year-johnson-looks-to-new-season.html

No. 113

REUNION UPDATE

Hello classmates. It's been a while since the last UNews so let me try and catch you up with what's been going on in regard to Homecoming 2010.

First, as you know, we have secured a block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza. At present, 38 of our 50 room nights have been filled. It is not imperative that we book all the nights to guarantee a free hospitality suite since we will be sharing one with the Class of '81, but it sure would be nice to see you all. The room rates are $149 per night. Light fare will be available in the suite on Friday night.

Also, we will be co-hosting the Saturday night party again. As you know, our beloved Strawberry Banks is no longer available, but thanks in part to the efforts of Sylvia Hazel Hunter and Christa Hill, we'll be creating new memories at the American Legion Hall in Phoebus. The cost of the party will be $25. Admission tickets, as well as drink vouchers must be pre-paid because we are not allowed to have any cash sales on the premises. The committee is still discussing payment options with the other class leadership. As soon as a decision has been made, we will let you know.

Lastly, I would like to announce that Bonita Layson will serve as co-class leader for the 2015 Reunion. She is currently our point person for the hotel and has done a fabulous job negotiating with the CP management. Also, Alphonso Holloman has graciously accepted the position of business affairs chair. He'll be responsible for negotiating contracts and has been tremendously helpful in that capacity already.

CLASS NEWS

Here Come The Brides

Congratulations to Mary Morrow, who will marry her fiancee Fred on Oct. 9 in Atlanta, GA. Several of our classmates will be in the wedding including maid of honor Altamarie Burroughs and bridesmaids Donna Wilds and Phyllis Ingram-Luciano. Phyllis, by the way, recently became engaged to Glenn Ford.

California Dreaming

I recently enjoyed a visit from the Wests of South Orange. Darcea Scott West and her family vacationed in Las Vegas and Los Angeles and we were able to hang out and do dinner, lunch and the beach with some side trips to Sprinkles Cupcakes and The Tonight Show. It was great having them here.

Also in the mix this month is Kim Williams Bullock and her family. I didn't get the chance to see Kim, she was too busy shopping on Rodeo, but we did get a chance to chat briefly. The Bullock clan was out in full force escorting Kim's son Kelly to college. He'll be a freshman communications major at Chapman University behind the Orange Curtain.

Reunion Goodies

For those of you who didn't make the 30th in May, there are still a few polo shirts left. Dyanne Boone Baldwin has five medium, one XL and four XXL. They're hot!

Grandma Lauren Hits The ATL

In honor of new granny Lauren Jones' visit to Atlanta, the ATL crew hosted a brunch for her at Pappadeaux's recently. Joining Lauren were: Michael Byrd, Wanda James, Leah Crocker and Steve Blair. It looks like a good time was had by all!

Birthdays

Valerie Millsap Harrison, Sept. 2

Kelvin “Stone” Johnson, Sept. 17

Altamarie Burroughs, Sept. 18

Mary Morrow, Sept. 18

Andre Rush, Sept. 22

Danita Locks Smith, Sept. 23

Gayle Burnett Heyer, Sept. 25

Karla Morris Holmes, Sept. 26

Renee Allen, Sept. 27

Vincent Bayyan, Sept. 27

Rosalind Murray-Port, Sept. 29

October

Donna Thomas Keating, Oct. 13

A Plea For Our Magazines

As most of you know I work for JET magazine, a publication that has been part of our collective formative years. JET and Ebony, like a plethora of other publications, have really been suffering through this recession. Ad revenue is way down. Essence is faring a little better, but Black Enterprise is struggling, too. Please help us help us by subscribing to these magazines, or simply buying them off the stands before it's too late. A JET subscription is only $25 per year or $35 for two years. That's what some people--present company included-- spend on lunch!

Homecoming Updates

Hello All.

On Sunday night our events committee, local liasons, Bonita Layson and myself had a conference call with Eminence class leader Ron Hayden and a member of his committee to finalize the location of the 2010 homecoming old school jam party.

It was unanimously agreed that we should go with the American Legion Hall in Phoebus, a location that had been scouted by Christa Hill and Sylvia Hazel Hunter. The Hall is not far from the Crowne Plaza, has ample parking and will allow us to party until 1 a.m., an hour longer than they normally do.

First, thanks to Christa and Sylvia for a bang-on job. We had been searching for a venue to replace our beloved Strawberry Banks for just over a month. We will have to pay more for it but Christa and Sylvia have assured me that the Hall is a "really nice" spot, so we hope to establish a long relationship with the ownership.

Also, thanks to Baron McKeithan for securing a backup spot, McGrew Towers. While it was less expensive, some committee members and various classmates communicated to me that they weren't feeling it. And, thanks to Rhonda Rhea Byrd for her suggestions as well. Trust me when I say that we looked high and low, far and wide for the perfect venue to meet our needs and nothing came close to the Hall.

We're happy and we know you will be, too, when you return to Hampton to get your groove on.

Now, here's the catch. The American Legion Hall will not allow us to collect money on the property so we are currently working with the classes of '81 and '79 to devise a system where admission and drink tickets would be sold prior to the event. As soon as we come to a mutual agreement, I will share that news with you.

That's it for now. We'll be in contact with the other class leadership in the coming weeks and hopefully will resolve all of our collective issues in the next few weeks.

Also, please be on the lookout for another survey from Lauren Jones tomorrow regarding some issues regarding the Friday night hospitality suite. Please, please, please fill this out ASAP as this is something pressing that we need to resolve yesterday.

Thank you for your time, patience and prayers.

Onward. Upward.

Here's To You Mrs. Robinson

Our condolences to Mike Robinson who lost his mother recently. Mrs. Robinson had been living with her son since her retirement in 1992 and Mike described her as his "dawg"--someone he could talk to about anything.

Please continue to keep Mike and his family in your prayers.

Next Stop South Beach

If anyone is going to be in the Miami Beach area this week please holla. I'll be heading down to cover the American Black Film Festival and Bonita Layson has graciously offered to come help me out. So, if you're going to be around please hit us up!

Birthdays

Remainder of June

Terri Lawrence, June 25
Larry Butler, June 26
Willeta Monroe Sawyer, June 27
Brett Pulley, June 28
Sheila McNeill-Lee, June 30


July

Donna Wilds, July 2
Marcia Fields Milton, July 6
Donna Yancy Blanks, July 6
Joyce Wilson, July 6
Valerie Whittlessey, July 8
Chan Phillips, July 10
Charlene Alexander-Taylor, July 10
Margaret Colden-Stanfield, July 10
Rhonda Bush, July 10
Wanda James, July 16
Chuck Dortch, July 18
Kenny Boone, July 24

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Book That Room

For those of you planning to attend homecoming this fall we have a block of 25 rooms at the Crowne Plaza on Friday and Saturday night that are ready to book. Please tell the reservation agent (757-727-9700) that you are with the Hampton University Class of 1980 to receive the discounted rate of $149 per night. If you have any questions about accommodations, please contact our hotel coordinator Bonita Layson at beejaylay22@aol.com. Homecoming is Nov. 5-7, with the Pirates hosting Bethune-Cookman on Saturday while most of you will be tailgating.

We are also close to securing a new spot for the old school jam and will once again be collaborating with the classes of '81 and '79 on that effort. Additionally, we will share the hospitality suite with '81 on Friday night, splitting the costs of food and libations.

D.C. Partay Boat

This is just a reminder that the 5th Annual Hampton Alumni Blue & White Marina party will go down this Friday, June 11, from 6 p.m. until at the James Creek Marina on 200 V St., SW. Please go out and support this event and our class!

Roz Advances

Congratulations to Rosalind Murray-Port who received her master's degree in economic development at Southern New Hampshire University. Make that money girl!

Ubiquity Survey

The reunion committee is in the process of planning the homecoming activities and would appreciate it if you would take a few seconds to fill out this four-question survey to help us better determine attendance and your wants and needs. Please help us help you. Many thanks!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XYX35TN

The password is ubiquity. Thanks to Lauren Jones for posting this.

The Partay Is On!

Kudos to Cindy Woods Pearson, Andre DeBose and the DC crew for jumpstarting the 2015 fundraising efforts just a month after our 30th reunion. The annual Blue & White Marina party will kick off on June 11 at 6 p.m. at the James Creek Marina.

Please support this effort that supports us and have a great time!

Homecoming Party Update

The 35th reunion events committee is working hard to secure a space for us to have our annual homecoming old school jam. Last week we had a transition conference call to discuss the possibilities and we are considering branding this party to make even bigger profits. I'd like to hear your thoughts. You can either drop me an email at dmiki@aol.com, or leave a comment on the blog, which is preferable.

Reunion Photos

There are at least 1,200 photos from our 30th reunion out there in cyberspace. You can view those taken by Cheryl Dunn Badger on her Facebook account, and you can peep mine at www.mikiphoto.smugmug.com. The photos are in a protected gallery called Ubiquity at 30. The password is ubiquity.

Birthdays

June

Carolyn Harris Brown, June 2
Cindy Woods Ward Pearson, June 10
Michael Prewitt, June 17
Terri Lawrence, June 25
Larry Butler, June 26
Willeta Monroe Sawyer, June 27
Brett Pulley, June 28
Sheila McNeill-Lee, June 30

July

Marcia Fields Milton, July 6
Joyce Wilson, July 6
Chan Phillips, July 10
Charlene Alexander-Taylor, July 10
Margaret Colden-Stanfield, July 10
Rhonda Hoskins Bush, July 10
Chuck Dortch, July 18
Kenny Boone, July 24

Today is the one-year anniversary of the blog!

For Sale!

The reunion committee has several leftover gift bag items for sale. Proceeds will benefit our class as we begin to planning future events.

First, thanks to Dyanne Boone Baldwin and her committee for putting together the best goodie bag ever. Also, to Rhonda Rhea Byrd for designing such a powerful Obama poster, which was included in the bag.

Here's what we have left:

15 Ubiquity polo shirts. There are 8 2xls, 6 mediums and 1 large for $20, plus $10 S/H.

1 Ubiquity knapsack $20, plus $12 S/H.

Several pairs of sunglasses with cases for $10, plus $5 S/H.

Please contact Dyanne Boone Baldwin or Andre DeBose if you are interested in any of these items. DBB is at baldwin@bigplanet.com or AD at adebose@deloitte.com.

As previously published, the Obama-Ubiquity posters are also available for sale. Please refer to the last posting and contact Rhonda if you are interested in purchasing one of those at justsisters@hotmail.com.

The Old School Mix CDs donated by Twin, will be available for free including S/H. You can obtain those by contacting Kent White at kew1958@aol.com.

Another Legacy Grad!

Congratulations to Rhonda Carter Lawrence, whose daughter Felisha graduated Sunday with honors in electrical engineering.

Boat Party

Cindy Woods Pearson and her marina crew are gearing up for another Ubiquity fundraiser this summer in D.C. on June 11. Stay tuned for more information, but please ink this date on your calendars.