“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31 28:31 KJV
The death of three women at the end of 2014 was a time for reflection on Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. At age 97 Violet Stanley lived a spirit-filled life; the mother of 8 children, and countless grandchildren and numerous greats and great great grands .She filled her home with love and family believing it takes a village to raise a family yet there was always room for one more. Priscilla Phillips-Lansey, 96, a genteel mother of five; she generated warmth and humility throughout her lifetime, always extending a kind word and a smile to anyone she met, opening her home and heart to countless friends and family. Then there is Eugenia “Genia” Mattison-Gibson at the age of 50 “gone to soon” a proud mother of six-year-old Taylor and dedicated wife to Eddie. She extended her love to her family, her Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters and the community. Her perpetual smile illuminated any room she entered emanating a sense of warmth and trust. Rest in Paradise Violet, Priscilla and Genia; you were our virtuous woman.
“Someday, when I’m awfully low, when the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you and the way you look tonight.” Frank Sinatra
Dean and Mert Evans’ golden anniversary dinner party at the Pikesville Hilton exuded “the look of love” as family and friends celebrated a match made in heaven. “La rivedrà nell’estasi” (“With rapture I shall look upon her”) Un Ballo in Maschera Verdi
“When a man loves a woman.” “I told a friend that I’d been married 50 years, the friend responded, ‘that’s a whole lot of good mornings’ and I replied and a whole lot of GOOD NIGHTS!” Mert Evans
The anecdotes of their courtship and marriage had guests, University of Baltimore president Kurt and Pat Schmoke, Dr. Vallen and Michele Emery, Carolyn and Steve Wainwright, Dr. Frankie Martin. Billie Hall, Herb and Deanna Brown, Judge Yvonne Holt- Stone, Dr. Guy and Gladys Bragg and 200 plus guests laughing as they took us “back down memory lane” through pictures and songs. Among family members, paying tribute to the couple was Mert’s mother Thelma Evans.
“Real people do real things. A collective of a whole bunch of people who do things in their own locale, in their own neighborhoods, the sum is bigger than the parts, and the parts will grow.” Chuck D
Howard Park’s new supermarket Shop Rite is reminiscent of the old marketplaces where neighbors gather to chat and catch up on “what’s happening.” The market was bustling as people lined up at the various stations chit chatting about the latest neighborhood news or family matters while purchasing freshly prepared meals to order. AFRO Mrs. Santa, Diane Hocker, said the treats baked on the premise, especially the sweet potato pies, are worth the ride.
“Ain’t no stopping us now” Danielle Tidline, graduated in December from Florida International University with a master’s in Latin American and Caribbean Studies has plans to start a foundation to address Latino/African race issues in Baltimore and pursue a doctorate in anthropology. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese the Spelman 2012 honor graduate is the daughter of Sheila and Dennis Tidline.
My grandson, Matthew Packer will be attending The College of William and Mary, the nation’s second-oldest institution after Harvard University and considered one of the original “Public Ivies” this fall. Matthew will pursue a double major in biology and Spanish. Matthew will follow in the footsteps of many notable alumni like Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Bob Gates, Glenn Close, Michael Powell and Mike Tomlin and most notably his older brother, Gregory Packer Jr. who will graduate in May 2016 with a double major in international relations and Spanish. Matthew, an Eagle Scout, is currently a senior at South County High School in Fairfax Station Virginia and a member of his school’s 2014 Patriot District championship golf team. Matt is president of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America senior teams and the son of my son-in-law and daughter Colonel Gregory and Lisa Lee Packer.
“The thing to judge in any jazz artist is, does the man project and does he have ideas.” Miles Davis
Jazz aficionados Yvonne Brown, Arthur Hoffman Eleanor Janey, Ronald Bailey, Sheri Kober, Ruth and Mike Binsky, Brenda and Gus Allen, John Henderson, Anthony Watkins, Lester Buster, Dollie Owens, Azania Welling and Maxine Smith were among the guests enjoying a Saturday evening jam session hosted by Be Mo Jazz. Jazz artists Craig Alston, Warren Wolf, Alex Brown, Romeir Mendez and John Lampkin III delivered an upbeat night of music.
“You can’t help getting older but you don’t have to get old.” George Burns
Happy Birthday Darnell Moses, Jo Lewis, James Lewis, Ann Branch, William “Billy Bones” Andrew, Dr. Charles Towns, my sister Cheryl Johnson, Berlinda Redfern, Norman Branch, Randy Dennis, The Place owner Ann Winder, Bobby Williams, Candes Daniels and Happy 85th Birthday to Dorothy “The Queen” Williams.
“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.” Joey Adams
I’ll be seeing you in old familiar places. Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch