Florida Sentinel Bulletin

DEACONS’ GRADUATION AND ORDINATION SERVICE HELD

After 26 weeks of training, the Deacons at Peace Progressive Missionary Baptist Church were presented by their pastor, Bishop Sylvester Robinson, to the congregation, family and friends. The Graduation and Ordination Service was held Sunday, December 10, 2017, during the 4 p. m. worship service. Georgia State Representative Al Williams was the guest speaker. From left to right on the front: Ricardo Kendrick, Walter Cobb, Bishop Sylvester Robinson, Pastor; Le’Troy Dixon (ordained), and Ricky Banks. On the second row are: Edward Cooley, Joe Rivers, Eric Harris, Lawrence Jackson and Jason Seay. (Photograph courtesy of Shelia Sanders, Peace Progressive M. B. Church)

GRAND OPENING OF VETERANS PROGRAM AND CENTER NAMING

Monday morning, Volunteers of America Florida hosted the grand opening of a Veterans Program in honor of the late James Cole and naming of the Community Center in honor of the late Betty P. Wiggins. The event was held at 4011 N. 39^th St. Members of the Cole and Wiggins families were on program, as well as representatives of Volunteers of America and City officials. Members of the Wiggins family in attendance were: Ray Curtis, Melanie Curtis, Jeff Randall, Deborah Randall, Don Brown, Nell Randle and Angela M. Hill.  (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

30^th AND FINAL HISTORICAL MONUMENT  UNVEILED ON RIVERWALK

Mayor Bob Buckhorn, in conjunction with the Friends of the Riverwalk, unveiled the fifth group of Tampa’s greats who are to be memorialized along the Historical Monument Trail that winds around Tampa’s Riverwalk on Friday, December 1, 2017, at the Tampa Convention Center. Serving as an educational tool to residents and visitors alike, the Trail, created in 2012, uses busts and monuments to represent significant events and noteworthy people that have shaped the history of Tampa and Hillsborough County. This was the 30^th and final historical monuments. The busts unveiled this year include: Frank Adamo, M. D., Tampa medical doctor; Elizabeth D. Barnard, first woman Tampa Postmaster; Ossian B. Hart, Tampa attorney and Governor of Florida; Victoriano Manteiga, lector of cigar factories and founder of La Gaceta newspaper; Benjamin Mays, head of Tampa Urban League and President of Morehouse College; and Stephen M. Sparkman, attorney and Congressman from Tampa. In support of Benjamin Mays, several graduates from the college and fraternity members attended the unveiling. Standing with the bust of Dr. Mays are: Dewayne Mallory, Frank Peterman, Sr., Frank Peterman, Jr., Delano Stewart, James Hargrett, Samuel Walton, Albert Lee, Jr., Al Sheriff, Quillie Jones, and Stanley Gray. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

FAMILY ENJOYS ‘ART IN THE PARK AFTER DARK’

The ‘Art in the Park…After Dark Gala’ was held on Friday, Nov. 3 from 6 to 10 p. m. at the new University Area Park Pavilion. The enchanting evening was complete with live musical performances and visual art experiences, a silent auction, photo booth, martini ice luge, a cigar lounge, dancing, a dessert and candy bar, as well as dinner by Carmel Kitchen. Organized by the University Area Community Development Corporation (University Area CDC), the event raised funds for the organization’s Prodigy Cultural Arts Program. Among those in attendance who enjoyed the evening were: the Brooks family – Sherita, Ulysses, Unija, Tunion, and Zakahi. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

31 YEARS OF FEEDING CHILDREN ON THANKSGIVING DAY

For the past 31 years, a local business has closed its doors to the public in order to be of service to some of those less fortunate. The owners of Donatello’s Restaurant have invited foster children and at-risk children and their families to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with them on Thanksgiving Day. The children enjoy entertainment, the presence of actors and professional athletes, and are also presented gifts. According to Bobby Bowden, who has been with the gathering since its inception, the restaurant served nearly 700 individuals this year. Among those on hand to help with the children were, in front: David Tyler, Bobby Bowden, Guido Tiozzo, owner of the restaurant; and James Lions. On the second row are: Council Rudolph, Tyrone Keys, Greg Roberts, Quinton Aaron (actor); Jerry Bell, Ed Anderson, Gino Tiozzo, and Rex Sano, both Donatello family members. (Photograph By BRUNSON)

SISTERS HOST PRE-THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

The Gadson Sisters held their 6th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon for Seniors on Wednesday November 15, 2017 at Temple Crest Community Center. The invitation-only luncheon was free and there was plenty of good food for the 60 plus guests, and lots of gospel entertainment. Among the singers on program were: Darlene Brooks, Alberta Jackson, The North Bay Singers and Leroy Carnegie. Rev. Carnegie is the only surviving member of the Original Dixie Hummingbirds. The sisters who hosted the luncheon are: from left, Johnnie Mae Harris, Betty Broadway, Yvonne Douglas and Henrietta Walton. They all are active members of New Mt. Zion M. B. Church, where Rev. Larry L. Roundtree, II, is pastor. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

COMMUNITY CARE AND CONNECTIONS EVENT IN SULPHUR SPRINGS

Derrick Brooks Charities, the City of Tampa and Fifth Third Bank hosted a Community Care and Connections Event for the community earlier this month. The event was held on November 8, 2017 at Springhill Park Community Center. Several vendors participated. Those in attendance received information about financial literacy and how to use their credit in positive ways. There was also information on housing and health resources, a raffle and gift bags for attendees. Those in attendance from left were: Darrell Daniels, Derrick Brooks Charities; Deputy J. Footman, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Esther Marshall, Fifth Third Bank; Dan Allen, Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School; and Derrick Brooks, Founder/CEO, Derrick Brooks Charities. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1965 CELEBRATES 70^th BIRTHDAY

The Howard W. Blake High School Class of 1965 celebrated their 70^th birthdays this year. The class came together last Saturday, November 11^th, to enjoy food and fellowship at Lee Roy Selmon’s Restaurant. Earlier this year, members of the class cruised on the Oasis of the Sea to celebrate their birthdays. The class is a strong supporter of the Blake Boosters Club. Officers of the class who attended the birthday dinner were: from left, Quida Hilton, Chaplain; Ray Palmer, 2^nd Vice President; Betty F. Johnson, Secretary; Raymond Powell, Financial Secretary; Corinne Collins, President; Julia Mae Starling, Sergeant-At-Arms; Sharon McKinnon, Historian; Johnny Johnson, 1^st VP; and Henry  Dupree, Treasurer. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre) 

OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC. FOUNDERS’ DAY AWARDS GALA

The Pi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Tampa, held its Founders’ Day Awards Gala on Saturday, November 11, 2017. The gala was held at the Crowne Plaza Tampa-Westshore.  Among chapter members and their spouses in attendance were: front row, seated – Schantel Bobo, Deveda Scott, Joycelyn Henson, Phoebe Crenshaw, Cindy Blount, Carolyn Johnson, and Sharon Andrews Gray. Standing – Cornelius BoBo, Tedd Scott, Jr., Michael Crenshaw, Tchecoy Blount, Sr., Christopher Johnson, and Stanley Gray. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)