Florida Sentinel Bulletin

President Barack Obama is sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as First lady Michelle Obama and daughters, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama look on during the public ceremonial inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

On Friday, January 11, 2013, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and others honored Freddie Solomon with a memorial birthday celebration and designation of a building at Nuccio Park. Friday was Solomon’s birthday and the building at Nuccio Park will now be known as the Freddie Solomon Community Center. Solomon was a college and professional football star and 20-year employee of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He passed away in February 2012.  Among those who attended the celebration were: in front, Jasmyn Robinson, Dee Solomon (his widow), Trey Robinson, Christine Robinson and Mae Jeffers. In the rear, Cassandra Thomas, Brad Baumgardner, Lanness Robinson and Ricky Gallon. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

    Retired And Proud (RAP), a group of retired individuals who’ve come together for the betterment of the Tampa community, presented its first scholarship during its holiday event. The scholarship is named in honor of the founder, the late Robert (Bob) Samuels. The recipient is Iyanna Bell, 4th from left, and was presented by Mrs. Betty Baker, 3rd from left. Lyanna is shown with her family: from left, Ernestine Glenn, Coleman Bell, II, Ingrid Bell, Carmari Bell, Eunice Monroe and Calique Bell.  (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

The City of Tampa Solid Waste Department hosted a Christmas Gala at the Sons of Italy Hall during the holidays. The event was sponsored by McGriff and Associates. Employees and their guests report having an awesome evening. Members of the planning committee included, from left to right: Leroy Lentz, George Green, Delbert Norton, Eric Killins, Nate McGriff, Willie Bailey, Jr., Edwin Figuerao and John Billingsley. (Photograph by Sylvester Harris of Treasured Moments)

After several events throughout the year, the Howard W. Blake Class of 1962 climaxed its 50th Class Reunion with a Christmas Gala held at the Sheraton Suites on December 14, 2012. The group started the year with a cruise in March. Those in attendance at the Christmas Gala seated left to right: Shirley Thompson, Lula Prince Harrell, Fannie Trice Staten, Eddie Mae McCall Ford, Joyce Turner Austin, Wydine McNair Henderson, Katie Walker Allen, and Gloria Whaley Elliott. Standing, Marganette Copeland Feagan of Clinton, MD, Ella Harris Moore, Essie Soarry Coleman, Elder Harry Harris, Frank Casteel, John Austin, Bradford Brooks, and Bettye Walker Holmes of Clinton, MD. The 2012 Class Reunion Activities Chairperson was Emma Daniels Andrews; Class President, Sanford Ross, Treasurer and  Correspondence Secretary, Frances Carr Sykes; Secretary, Lula Prince Harrell; and Christmas Gala Chairperson, Joyce Turner Austin. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

The family of Mrs. Essie Mae Reed was overjoyed last week when ground was broken for the Reed at Encore apartment complex. Officials of the U. S. Department of HUD, Tampa Housing Authority, and City of Tampa joined members of the Reed family to break ground in the third building of the Encore Project. From left to right are: THA Commissioner, M. G. “Manny” Alvarez, Jr.; Bank of America Tampa Bay Market President, Bill Goede; Bank of America CDC Washington, Maurice Perry; THA Sr. Vice President/CFO Andrew Libby; THA Commissioner, James Cloar; THA Sr. Vice President/COO, Leroy Moore; THA Board of Commissioners Chair, Hazel Harvey; THA President/CEO, Jerome Ryans; Reed family member, Shakina Blunt; THA Commissioner, Billi Johnson-Griffin, Reed family member, Shelia Palmore (daughter);  from the office of U. S. Representative Kathy Castor, Chloe Coney; THA Commissioner Rubin Padgett; City of Tampa Council member, Yvonne ‘Yoli’ Capin, District 3 at-large; Bethel A. M. E. Church, Reverend Beverly Lane, Pastor; City of Tampa Council member, Frank Reddick, District 5; Florida House of Representatives, Representative Betty Reed; and U. S. Department of HUD, Tampa Office, Rosemary Gadsden, Community Builder. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

The Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Awards Luncheon was held December 7, 2012 at Higgins Hall. The guest speaker was Russel L. Honree’, retired Lieutenant General Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina. Among those honored and in attendance were from left to right: Honorable Judge Chris Altenbernd, Attorney/Partner Frederick H. L. McClure, Earl Silas of Weed and Seed; Corporal David Hink, Pasco Sheriff Department; Jerome Ryans, President/CEO, Tampa Housing Authority; George McGovern, CEO, Boy Scouts of America; Speaker, Russel L. Honre’, Gene Siudut, La Gaceta Newspaper; and Gavin Washington, Boy Scout Troop 100, Academy Prep. (PHOTOGRAPH BY BRUNSON)

The 1946 Middleton and Don Thompson High Schools graduates gathered at The Open Café recently to enjoy their Christmas luncheon. The graduates were joined by other class member representatives, family members and friends. Graduates seated on the front row are: Harry Morris, Ernest Calhoun, Dorothy S. Farmer, Alice V. Wade, Peggy Jo Jones, Eva Mae Thomas and Benjamin F. Stephenson. They were joined by Michael Moore, Ouida Hilton, Ida Johnson, Bertha Gary, Verdell M. Reaves, Karen Saunders, Rosebud Stephenson, Kathy Stephenson, Percy Farmer and Michael Morris. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

The ladies of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc. held its 31st Annual Scholarship Luncheon. The Mary E. McCullough Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show was held recently at the Marriott Hotel Westshore. The banquet room was filled with nearly 200 members and their guests. Entertainment was by Samuel H. Hicks, III, medley of music; Xino Georgia Simpson who performed a dance, Erika and Emani Jester sang a solo and Wayne Price read a poem. Sorority members in attendance from left to right: Varneese Tramel, President; Dr. Sylvia Carley, Nadine Johnson, Elmira Curry, Essie Roberson, Pearl Coffee and Ozie Brown. Not shown, Erika Jester, Shirley Parker, Martha Kinsey, Willie Mae Johnson, Janie Powell, Ethel Bryant, Betty Newby and Sara Walker. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)