Kenneth Davis

     Death shortens our way to heaven, but grace sweetens our way to heaven. If you would lay up a treasure of glory in heaven, lay up a treasure of grace in your hearts.

~John Mason~

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS

TO

CURTIS FARMER  AND  CLOYD NIGHTINGALE

     You Gentlemen are about to embark upon another 365 day journey of unknown dimensions. As the shining light upon the magical tapestry of your transport, may this be the best decade of milestones accomplished. Sixty-nine years ago your Birthday Ninja incorporated the characteristics of justice, nurturing, responsibility, you possess great compassion and you continue to seek to be of service to others. Each of our mutual friends will validate this observation and not "Plead The Fifth", should an inquiry be extended. William Arthur Ward once stated; Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity....
     Accomplishing this milestone, brings with it a level of maturity, which has been labeled "Senior Citizen". It's been said previously, there's only one requirement for turning 70 - enjoy yourself. At 70, it's time for the good stuff to start and you're just getting started! The moment in between what you once were, and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place (Barbara De Angelis). Life just got interesting the moment you turned 70. May you enjoin the thoughts of Muhammad Ali on this day, when he stated; I have learned to live my life one step, one breath, and one moment at a time, but it was a long road. I set out on a journey of love, seeking truth, peace and understanding. I am still learning....We, your classmates have learned that: Grace is richer than prayer, for God always gives more than is asked of him (Ambrose)...God’s greatest glory is in his grace (Donald Grey Barnhouse)...and Nothing can be done aright without grace (John Bunyan). Whatever is laudable in our works proceeds from the grace of God (John Calvin)....If you recall your days of high school English and had Mrs. Brinkley, Ms. Burrow, Ms. Black or Ms. Jones, the name Ralph Waldo Emerson was discussed frequently. As you gentleman celebrate this anniversary, or choose not to, let the words of Emerson be your turn signals as you guide your tapestry on this next journey...Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. May you have a Greg Manning type of day. Upon reaching your cruising speed, keep the Top Down and enjoy the ride into the next century. Be blessed "My Brothers" and may your days be filled with Grace, Mercy and Favour....enjoy your day and stay safe...

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     You can't blame things for being dark if the light bulbs aren't working. So we're complaining about the darkness when the bulbs aren't working, and the Bible says that we are the light of the world. What God wants is for us to live by His rules, resulting in the receiving of His blessing and power. When we as Christians, celebrating our differences, join together as the house of God representing the kingdom of God for the glory of God, we get the response of God to our presence in history.

~Tony Evans~

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance. Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world. Life becomes easier and more beautiful when we can see the good in other people.

~Roy T. Bennett~

IT'S NOW TIME FOR
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

     A teenager brings her new boyfriend home to meet her parents. They’re appalled by his haircut, his tattoos, his piercings. Later, the girl’s mom says, “Dear, he doesn’t seem to be a very nice boy.” “Oh, please, Mom!” says the daughter. “If he wasn’t nice, would he be doing 500 hours of community service?”

~Maria Salmon~

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND   by Marsha Burns

     November 8, 2022: Be true to yourself and your righteous values. Maintain peace. Much of what you worry about is beyond your ability to change. Put your trust in Me to do what you cannot and to show you the way to spiritual perfection. Allow Me to set you in a place that you cannot understand here and now, but it will make perfect sense in the days ahead. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     One of the things about my ministry is that I have never branded myself as being above the people or superior to people. I was raised in the Baptist church... but I didn't really have a real committed experience with Christ until my father died. My father was a Methodist and my mother was a Baptist. When my father died, I had a real experience with Christ, a real conversion with Christ and I had it in a Oneness church. I think that my preaching style and many of my ideas and ideals about faith are based in both Pentecostal and Baptist background. I chose to present myself as one who comes from among the people, and I can be touched by their pain because I have my own. I actually grew up playing the piano in the church and was deeply involved in music ministry.

~T. D. Jakes~

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     As you become aware of what has robbed you of the purity of an innocent mind, a clear heart and a strong body, you will be deeply served by letting go of those familiar limitations. Resentments and grudges are two of the main culprits that perpetuate cycles of self-abuse and victimhood. Stowed away inside you like parasites, they deplete you of your God-given life force and separate you from your inherent worth, your joy, and the love in your heart. By acknowledging, accepting, and embracing our dark side, we create natural steam vents within ourselves. By providing an opening, we eliminate the worry about an explosion because we are allowing the pressure to be released in a safe and appropriate way.

~Debbie Ford~

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

The 8 Pillars of Wellness  Lauren Klein 
© Provided by Lauren Klein
Presenting Pillars 1 - 4 (To Be Continued)

     Wellness isn’t waking up at 6am, journaling, and drinking a green juice. Wellness is so much more. There are 8 pillars of wellness that impact your state of wellness: Physical, Emotional, Social, Spiritual, Nutritional, Intellectual, Financial, and Environmental. These are the different aspects that have a role in determining your ever-changing state of wellness. Discovering what each pillar actually stands for is the beginning of a self-discovery journey to figuring out what you really should be doing to improve your personal wellness.

Physical Wellness

     Physical wellness includes exercise but it is more than just that. Physical wellness also includes personal and sleep hygiene. It is important to push yourself while working out but not so much so that it deters you from exercising at all. There’s no need to intensely workout 7 days a week for maintenance wellness. On the other hand it isn’t a great option to go half a year without intentional fitness. This is a thin line to balance on, but with a proper mindset and a healthy relationship with exercise, it is very possible!
     Personal hygiene to maintain wellness means keeping yourself clean. This usually includes routine showers, hair washing and combing, brushing your teeth, and nail maintenance. Personal hygiene is a key basic step in achieving your personal well state. It may seem strange to hear a ‘good night’s sleep’ as sleep hygiene but really it just means to be getting enough, good quality sleep. Sleeping is another key basic to the physical wellness pillar. Without adequate sleep you will not have the energy or mental abilities to further take care of yourself.

Emotional Wellness

     Emotional wellness sounds like being able to manage your own emotions but it goes further than just that. According to Michigan State University, there are actually 10 factors involved in emotional wellness: (1) Be here, now (2) Inside-out world view (3) Personal accountability (4) Accepting what is (5) Internal balance (6) Respect new thinking (7) Appreciation of differences (8) Respect for the unknown (9) Connection to something greater than ourselves (10) A sense of meaning and purpose
     Of course these are not all necessary to achieve emotional wellness but can be useful ways to improve oneself. If you feel your emotional wellness is not where it should be consider speaking with a therapist or psychologist. This can or cannot be a long-term relationship. For some, a therapist can help them overcome a certain trauma while for others it is nice to consistently talk to a professional to maintain their emotional wellness.

Social Wellness

     Social wellness is your connectedness and relationships you have with others. Some people tend to need less interactions with others and some need more. Either is perfectly fine. Having beneficial and positive relationship with others aids your social wellness. Having no one to interact with in a positive manner can harm your self-belief and mental state. These people are the ones you can rely on in difficult times through communication and interactions. They are the people that will support you when you are needing more help.
     Having these figures in your life that are not beneficial may cause more harm than not having anyone! When first developing new relationships give it time to grow and develop. You will have a greater genuine connection with some but that doesn’t mean if they’re not your best friend they aren’t crucial to your social wellness.

Spiritual Wellness

     As with the other pillars of wellness, spiritual wellness varies from person to person. Geneseo defines spiritual wellness as, “recognizing our purpose and feeling a sense of meaning and belonging in our lives.” To some this can be giving themselves to their faith while for others it can simply mean they understand where they stand with what they believe in! This pillar has a strong grasp on your mental state and can help you get through difficult times. When you are feeling low or need some guidance or hope try: (1) Practicing gratitude (2) Meditation (3) Speaking or writing a note to a figure of your faith (4) Be mindful (5) Take a moment to appreciate where you are (6) Work on self-acceptance

Margie McRae (Reed)

Good Evening Classmates!

As I listened intently to the news last week, I became more and more apprehensive about what was happening in the United States.  I worked at the polls yesterday, and remember, I live in South Carolina.  I did not listen to the news last night or this morning, or go on Google. When I finally turned on the news tonight expecting the worst, I was relieved to see that there are still a few decent people in America who want to be represented by decent folks. Not  enough, unfortunately, but many more than I thought.

I am sharing this prayer from the South Carolina Baptist E&M Newsletter:

Prayer for the Month:

“God, You know that I need You. I’m sorry for all the times I’ve pretended that I’m fine on my own. Today, I come to You just as I am, and I give You all of my anxieties, cares, and worries.  Please replace worry with peace, anxiety with hope, and concern with confident trust.  I know that I am safe with You, and You can handle my problems.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Thank you Ken, for my awesome birthday tribute and write-up about my birthday trip!  Thanks to my classmates for your remembrances as well. Happy Belated Birthday greetings to those other Warriors who celebrated late October birthdays. The Class of 1970 has really been blessed!

I am looking forward to a time when we can again make experiences as a class!  We will get there!

Yes, Bonnie, I had chocolate - chocolate fudge cheesecake from Juniors!

P.S. The last 3 Wellness Wednesdays have been very educational. 

Be Blessed!

Margie

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N 

      Good friends can save you from tons of uncomfortable situations. They can also help you out when you act inadequately. A reality check from them is truly valuable. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that humans don’t take isolation well. We need social interaction in any way possible. Without it, we would go crazy. That’s why having close friends is of utmost importance for all of us.

~John Spence~

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     I think it is in collaboration that the nature of art is revealed. Jazz is like wine. When it is new, it is only for the experts, but when it gets older, everybody wants it. When I came up, it was all about originality and collective research. There is an awful lot of imitation going on now. There is an awful lot of what I call recreational jazz going on, where people go out and learn a particular language or style and become real sharks on somebody else's language.

~Steve Lacy~

SARAH JENKINS - ARTIST

SMOOTH JAZZ FRIDAYS

     I'd get to within a yard of that door you walk through and the thing would go mad. I used to carry an X-ray in my briefcase, to show them. But I had all the metal taken out. 

~Barry Sheene~

Kenneth Davis

Marilyn Burton (Wright)  US ARMY

C. B. Jackson  US ARMY

Edward Johnson  US ARMY 

Darryll Cleaves  NAVY

Gwen Davis (White)  NAVY

Kenneth Davis  NAVY 

Curtis Farmer  NAVY

Fred Higgins NAVY

Alvin Howlett  NAVY

Ann Ivy (Winn)  NAVY

Gerald Best AIR FORCE               Jb Bland AIR FORCE 

Linda Brown  AIR FORCE            Charles E. Burton  AIR FORCE 

Willie Burton  AIR FORCE       James Clower  AIR FORCE 

Kenneth Davis  AIR FORCE           Felippa Fields (Scales)  AIR FORCE 

Jerry Hosey  AIR FORCE            Tommie McKinney  AIR FORCE 

Wanda Taylor AIR FORCE 

Talut El-Amin  MARINES

Raymond Hall  MARINES

Gerald Harris  MARINES

Bennie Jackson  MARINES

Robert Phifer  MARINES

Orva Walls  MARINES

THE MISSING MAN FORMATION

(DECEASED SERVICE MEMBERS)

Aster Conner AIR FORCE 

Clyde Grant AIR FORCE 

Paul Gray  AIR FORCE 

Kenneth Johnson US ARMY 

Henry Lester  MARINE 

Horace McClure NAVY 

Edward Rucker MARINE 

James White AIR FORCE 

Remind them

that our country needs their leadership

now

more than ever......

John Thomas

I would like to Thank and Honor the “COURAGEOUS” classmates of BTW 1970 that served in the armed forces. For me you guys showed bravery during the time amid the Vietnam War and some of us try to escape by going to college hoping for a high draft lottery number. I want to say thank you for your serves and you guys have my upmost LOVE and RESPECT. May God Always Bless You

Alberdeen Clayborn

John Thomas

To honor all Veterans, please post a picture of them in uniforms if possible ( Old or New). 

Kenneth Davis

Kenneth Davis

     Thank you John, for your well wishes. An image of each classmate in uniform would be a fantastic tribute. However, I've only been able to obtain the images posted on previous Memorial and Veteran Day annual events. Maybe those who read from the website will forward a copy to me of the photo taken in "Basic Training" for hometown release and the service yearbook, inorder for collage to be assembled, prior to our next reunion.

     The decision to join the military or go to collage, because of the draft, was acted upon with caution and anxiety due to other family members and friends from our neighborhoods becoming casualties in Viet Nam. We might not have known what we were signing up for, military recruiters were devious, but the G I Bill paid for our collage education, after safely returning home. For some of us, that was our way out, and today, we're tremendously blessed bacause of the experiance. As Mrs. Mary Nichols once said, "We're Proud Warriors". I'll initiate a request from everyone whom I don't have a picture of in uniform, to begin this process. Hopefully each email address in the website directory is current. Thanks again John for your salutation to all "Veterans of the Class of 1970".... 

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Thank you for such a wonderful salute to our Warriors who bravely served our country. We are grateful for their commiment!

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     November 12, 2022: Procrastination is an anchor. You cannot progress until you do the things that you have been putting off. Put aside dread and do what needs to be done. You will be relieved and ready to face every new day with confidence. Remember that you are not alone; I am with you every step of the way, says the Lord. Proverbs 10:4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     I've had some wins. And been knocked down with defeats. Glimpsed views from the top of the mountain. And walked through the darkest of valleys. But through this entire ride called 'a life' - I've refused to give up. Most of us are cut from the same cloth. We all can be a hero if we choose. And it just isn't that hard. Be a warrior when it comes to delivering on your ambitions. And a saint when it comes to treating people with respect, modeling generosity, and showing up with outright love. 

~Robin S. Sharma~

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS

TO

NORMA BERDEN WINBORNE

     On the daily entertainment calendar for November, today is considered to be "Happy Hour Day". The happiest hour today, will truly be the moment you awaken and realize you've been blessed again. Be euphoric! Today is the day you were brought into this world to be a blessing and inspiration to the people around you! You've prevailed through trials and tribulations to become a wonderful person! May you be given more birthdays to fulfill all your dreams.....Now that you’re 70, you get to begin your journey through your second adulthood. We’ve known you long enough to know that you’re going to start making all your dreams come true! Happy Birthday!
     Harold J. Warner, an American attorney and judge in Oregon once stated that; Humility is the gateway into the grace and favor of God.... The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. In his holy flirtation with the world, God occasionally drops a handkerchief. These handkerchiefs are called saints (Frederick Buechner). You're a saint, and if you don't believe us, just ask Tony Lee, Robert, Tresda, Malik, Desiree, Jaquil, Anija, Darrius, Jamiya, Christopher, or Karma. Surely if no one else knows, Karma does and is probably a favorite of yours. 
     Karma itself, is a natural law, a description of the natural movement inherent in reality. There is no moral blame or praise involved in the operation of a natural law, similar to grace....Grace is the overflowing favor of God, and you can always count on it being available to draw upon as needed. Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time. You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside. It is the unseen and the spiritual in people that determines the outward and the actual (Oswald Chambers). You've received the gift of grace today, as we solicit additional blessing of Mercy and Favor on your behalf. Born with practical idealism and material mastery, we hope you have a wonderful birthday filled with love, joy, and great memories! Should you decide to celebrate today, or not, It's your thang, do what you want to do! I'm wishing you a Will Donato type of day. Get yourself a pair of Striped Bell Bottoms, play this song and if you still dance, cut a rug with Tony while dancing the "Hiphugger", simply because the age of 70 looks "Good On You"...enjoy your day...stay safe my friend...

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Margie McRae (Reed)

To Our Veterans!

Thank you for your service!  We owe you so much!  We honor you on Veterans' Day and everyday!

Margie

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     You can't blame things for being dark if the light bulbs aren't working. So we're complaining about the darkness when the bulbs aren't working, and the Bible says that we are the light of the world. What God wants is for us to live by His rules, resulting in the receiving of His blessing and power. When we as Christians, celebrating our differences, join together as the house of God representing the kingdom of God for the glory of God, we get the response of God to our presence in history.

~Tony Evans~

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     I never understood why Clark Kent was so hell bent on keeping Lois Lane in the dark. Don’t you think it’s better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life? Love the world and yourself in it, move through it as though it offers no resistance, as though the world is your natural element.

~Audrey Niffenegger~

IT'S NOW TIME FOR
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

     As the hedge fund manager gets out of his brand-new Porsche, a truck goes racing by, taking off the door. “My Porsche! My beautiful silver Porsche is ruined!” he screams. A police officer on the scene shakes his head in disgust. “I can’t believe you,” he says. “You’re so focused on your possessions that you didn’t even realize your left arm was torn off when the truck hit you.” The hedge fund manager looks down in absolute horror. “Oh, no!” he cries. “My Rolex!”

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS

TO

DARRYLL CLEAVES

     Life is not measured by length but by depth. Birthdays tell us how long we have been on the road, not how far we have travelled (Vance Havner). Turning 70 is a milestone that requires a wonderful celebration and you're now ready to began re-discovering the world as a great place. Another adventure filled year awaits you, so congratulations on being even more experienced. We're not sure what you've learned this year, but every experience transformed you into the person who you are today. The Lord may not give gold, but he will give grace; he may not give gain, but he will give grace. The more of heaven there is in our lives, the less of earth we shall covet (C. H. Spurgeon). As your classmates, we're grateful that you've been a beneficiary of grace, over the years since graduation.
     Your Birthday Ninja instilled within you the characteristics of  justice, nurturing and responsibility. You also possess great compassion and seek to be of service to others. It's no wonder you served thirty years of military service to the US Navy and our nation. The traditional four years of service is difficult enough. Surviving the UCMJ and racism, on a daily basis, for thirty years is commendable. Having just celebrated Veterans Day, other veterans know exactly what I'm referencing. The sustainable characteristics of  justice, nurturing and responsibility became  good samaritans, during your career. 
     We should employ our passions in the service of life, not spend life in the service of our passions. A man advanced in years that thinks fit to look back, on his former life, and calls that only life which was passed with satisfaction and enjoyment, excluding all parts which were not pleasant to him, will find himself very young, if not in infancy (Richard Steele). As you prepare to celebrate today, or not, we wish to extend to you a joyous birthday celebration. The doctrines of Grace humble a man without degrading him, and exalt him without inflating him (Charles Hodge). We also wish you, a continued deluge of the additional members within the trinity triangle, Mercy and Favour.  While compassionately looking back at your former years, I wish you a "Heavy Shift", type of day. The weather in Chesapeake, VA has been forecast to be partly to mostly cloudy and 52 degrees. "Unchain Your Mind" and recall the days when temperatures were "Ninety Degrees In The Shade". Enjoy your day my friend....we haven't heard from you since February of 2021...drop a note of wellness for those of us who aren't affiliated with Facebook or other trending social media....stay safe and be blessed...

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)