A grand time for a Grand Dame! A surprise 90th Birthday Celebration honoring – Mrs. Gladys Elretta Coates Blaine was a fun-filled afternoon for the birthday girl. The well attended affair was hosted by her sorors Linda Oliver and Denise Thomas. Mrs. Blaine’s Godson, Wade Mayham, successfully brought his Auntie to the O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex without giving away the surprise. She thought she was receiving a community service award.
Friends and family from all walks of Mrs. Blaine’s life came to share and extend birthday wishes. Many church members from Memorial Baptist and St. James A.M.E. Churches, along with attendees of Bible Study Fellowship, sang her praises. The children of Mrs. Blaine’s deceased college roommate, Mrs. Ruth Pippins, presented the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority with $1,000 in honor of Gladys Elretta’s birthday and Ruth Pippins. Colleagues and former students from Beaumont High School surrounded the birthday girl with memories and much affection. The sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha were united in sisterly love.
Felicitations to St. Louis’ prominent civil rights pioneer attorney Frankie Muse Freeman. She was honored while attending the American Bar Association’s Mid-year Meeting in Chicago. Frankie was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The meeting was held February 5- 11at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. She received a 2014 Spirit of Excellence Award from the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession during an award ceremony luncheon on February 8. Longtime friend Annetta Booth accompanied Frankie; she thought the presentation ceremony was very impressive. Many kudos and blessings to our 97-year-old St. Louis treasure.
Kingdom House has once again partnered with the St. Louis Housing Authority to host their Second Annual Cotillion. The girls presented at the Cotillion are residents of St. Louis Housing Authority Communities and participants in Kingdom House programs. Committee members were pleased with the success of their Day of the Word Praise program held at Kingdom House Saturday, February 22.
Volunteer performers included Elder Walls, the Girl Time Praise Dancers, the Church Boyz, the Kingdom House Choir, the True Fellowship Worship Center Choir and Misha Brown. Praise offerings were accepted as contributions to the Cotillion project. Everyone was thrilled with the level of support received. The 2nd Annual Cotillion will be held May 18th at the Christy Banquet Center in St. Louis. For information on future fundraising projects and the Cotillion, please call Lutricia Lawal at 314-241-8319.
The snow on the ground on February 9 couldn’t keep members of the St. Louis Chapter of Carrousels, Inc. from enjoying a Valentine Brunch honoring their Carrafellas at Triumph Grill. Co-Chairs Stacey Givens-Woolfolk and Staci Garrett-Clayborne truly outdid themselves in making sure that everyone had a great time. Chapter President, Andrea Johnson–Lee brought greetings and the invocation was given by Frances “Cookie” Whitfield.
After the delicious brunch, a hilarious “Carracouple” game was conducted by Stacey Woolfolk and Dianne Williams Powell. Ruth and Floyd Lewis were named the Carrousel Couple of the Year. Vocalist Will Robinson received a standing ovation after surprising the couple with two special songs. As the afternoon came to an end, Staci Clayborne read a special tribute to the Carrafellas and presented each male with a gift and a toast. There were many memorable moments which were captured by videographer and Potpourri correspondent Gwen Key.
Enjoying the brunch were Stacey G. Woolfolk, Staci G. Clayborne, James Oliver, Angela Rhone, Dianne W. Powell, Belma and Henry Givens, Diane and John Nathan, Barbara and John Noble, Gwen and Michael Key, Sandra and Nathaniel Murdock, Karen and Gary Watkins, Ruth and Floyd Lewis, Andrea and Gregory Lee and Frances and Harold Whitfield.
Happy Black History Month!
Dana Grace: dgrandolph@live.com
