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Willard Dudley(1971 ) (1971)
IN MY OWN WORDS;
I regret that I was not able to attend all of the Rhoda Martin Centers activities this weekend. However, I was able to attend the Back-in-the-day Banquet and Ball, A Red Carpet affair, Saturday night. There were more than 80 joyful faces in the crowd definitely dressed for a Red Carpet Affair. I, along with Girtha (GiGi) Morgan, assisted Mrs Peggie Rice Johnson in hosting the affair. I was a little nervous because Mrs. Peggie Rice still slaps hands. As long as she is around you will always have a parent in your ear. Although the numbers of the reunion were not as large as the reunion of 2009, it was evident that the support, commitment and dedication to the Rhoda Martin Center and Jacksonville Beach #144 are as strong as ever. It was good to see lots of old faces in attendance including Bishop Golden, Tim and Patrick Morgan, Freddie and Roxann, Mrs Ruth Penn, Barbara Mincey (who has a birthday at the end of the week), Janet Burley, Cynthia Turner and my sister Annette, who are always there. It was good to meet the matriarch of the Davis girls. Attorney Walter bell, esq was in attendance and supportive as always. It was exceptionally good to see Mrs Orpah Lee Jackson in attendance, sharp and quite witty. Mrs Holloway was charming as always and Mary Abdullah. Just naming a few. The crowd was entertained by the Special Formula Band, highlighted by our own Ernest Davis and Reggie Dantzler. The evening event paid tribute to a dozen or more honorees. Some of the recipients were Sylvia, Barbara and myself, receiving the preservations' "Dream Team Award" for successfully executing the 1st old school #144 and Fletcher High School Reunion. The highlight of the evening was a solo by Elizabeth Olatunji (Lillies daughter), whose voice had everyone in attendance on their feet. Final comments were made by Lillie Sulivan, president of JBEPF, Inc., who expressed the desire and ability to keep the doors of the Rhoda Martin Heritage Center open while reducing stress, keeping the bills paid and holding true to the goals of Rhoda L. Martin. The evening commenced with live entertainment by the Special Formula Band and a DJ.
It is my hope that the works and idea of the reunions will continue and grow. At the reunions we meet, we reminisce and we laugh. We pay homage to those who have contributed to our lives and those who have been significant in our lives. Never knowing that this will potentially be our last meeting. As sad as the reality is, this is a fact of life. So this is my point. These are the times. The time is now. What we leave as proof of our exsistance, will only be defined by the work and effort that we put into establishing it. Lets keep the reunions going. Lets continue to support them. Lets support our legacy at the school, the Center and the beaches. As for the REUNION, Im just putting it out there, but start saving and planning now to make 2015 bigger and better than 2009 and 2013. In closing, the evening was as billed, A Red Carpet Affair. To the Preservation staff, board and all the workers, job well done!
Reggie, Ernest, next time i"m Playing so get ready.....
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