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