St. Francis of Assisi to host Vacation Bible School and Annual Arts/Hand Bell Camp

The 5th Annual Vacation Bible School and 9th Annual Arts/Hand Bell Camp kicked off to a great start on Monday, July 28 at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View. The program, cosponsored by the First United Methodist Church in Prairie View and supported by several other area churches, stayed true to its theme: “God’s Creation” with some twenty-four kids in pre-K to 9th grades participating in the opening session conducted by Mrs. Christine Wyatt, followed by daily devotionals with area ministers.

Then it was off to Parish Hall for the Jungle Safari of games, crafts and lessons all biblical based. Ms. Marcia Sadberry of Houston provided guitar lessons along with the Community Bell Troupe training conducted by Dr. Vicki Seldon, music professor at PVAMU. Lunch was provided for the campers by the ladies of the Episcopal Church Women and ladies of the First United Methodist of Prairie View and Bethlehem United Methodist of Hempstead. The program concludes on Friday, August 1 at 5:15 p.m. with the awards program. Mrs. Madolyn Reed is the coordinator and the Reverend Dr. Cynthia Engle is the Rector.

The Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association’s 40th National Convention is now history. The Prairie View A&M Houston Alumni Chapter rolled out the purple carpet for the more than 400 alumni and friends at the event held at the Westin Memorial City Hotel on July 23-27. The conventioneers were treated to several workshops, seminars and receptions, and the opportunity to learn about the changes at PVAMU. Various vendors and partners were also present for the four-day event. Representatives from the city included Redessa Coleman, Frederick Roberts and Herbert Thomas Mayor Pro-Tem and President of the Economic 4B Corporation, who conducted a forum on doing business in Prairie View. Information was provided on future development plans, zoning and tax abatement opportunities for potential businesses in the city.

Highlights of the convention were the Health and Wellness Fear sponsored the PVAMU Alumni Nurses Association, the Athletics presentation and the Prairie View A&M Foundation forum. The foundation was the beneficiary of some $140K in donation for the new football stadium, including the $100K check presentation by Mr. George E. Higgs on behalf the Prairie View Athletic Club and $21K from Colonel Ernest Vassar Martin on behalf of his daughters and health provider. By the way the association awarded Colonel Martin with its Lifetime Legacy Award in addition to singing the Happy Birthday commemorating his 90th birthday. Kudos to the 2014 Convention Chair Lashonda Williams and her team for a successful event. Plans are underway for the 41st anniversary convention and family reunion to be held in Los Angeles, California in mid July 2015. For information visit: www.pvualumni.org or call 936-857-5817. Carl Young of Atlanta is the president of the National Alumni Association.

On the subject of family reunions, the Birdsong Family from Florida to Pennsylvania descended on Prairie View on July 24-27 at the home of Christine and Lucius R. Wyatt for their 2014 Reunion. According to Christine, the Birdsong’s Matriarch and host, everyone had a great time in the city and Houston area venues. The family feasted and dined on the sumptuous meals provided by Christine, Jackie’s Bar-B-Que and Restaurant Chefs. In addition to the fun and games at the Wyatt’s residence, the family spent in Houston and closed out the weekend with services at the First United Methodist Church in Prairie View.

The Prairie View Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly meeting on July 31 at 6:00 p.m. at the George E. Higgs Building on University Drive in Prairie View. All members and area business potential members are invited to attend. Mr. George E. Higgs is president.

The old popular tune “People Get Ready” is the rallying cry for the 2nd Annual Brims and Crowns Extravaganza sponsored by the members of the First United Methodist Church on August 16 at the Waller Baptist Church, 2520 Cherry Street at Patrick in Waller. The event, which runs 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The word on the street is that the planners hope to top last year’s program with performances from the Voice of Distinction, a Jazz Quartet, Praise Dancers and a motivational message from Ms. Phyllis Spates of Hempstead. Donation for the event is $20, which will support programs at the church. For information, call 936-857-3584.

The ‘Red Hot Summer’s Night in August’ and the 8th Annual Red & White Fireman’s Ball is set for August 23, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Willie A. Tempton, Sr. Memorial Student Ballroom at Prairie View A&M University are inviting members of the community to sponsor items for its silent auction and purchase tickets and ads for the public event. Supporters are invited to Proceeds will support equipment and operations. For information, contact: Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmail.com.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Ernestine Carreathers, Nellie Charleston, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Mae Helen James, David Kirkpatrick, Irene Reid, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Theola Woods and Douglas Woolfolk. May God’s peace be with you!

HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAY TO: Ashlee Davies (29), Debra Dungey (29), Waymon Webster (29), Mary S. Hawkins (30), Mary White (30), Robert Hall (31) and Tommy Washington (31). HAPPY JULY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO: Rick and Gloria Richardson (31).

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY TO: George E. Brown (1), Harold Bonner (1), Gwendolyn Grossman (1), Mae Helen James (2), Cathy Harris (3), Barak Obama (4), Paula Garrett Sandles (7), Marie Herndon (7), Timothy Anderson (8), Debra Berry (8), Flossie Byrd (8), Lolita Jackson (8), Billy Jordan (8), Gloria Richardson (8), Dora Lawson Smith (8), Joshua Turner (8), Leon Gillian (9), Troy Hubert (9), Marie Lewis (9), Justin Linton (9)Lauretta Burke (10), Blessing Ezeoka (10), Gwendolyn Jeffery (10), Vanessa Jackson (11), Jabreel Walker (11), Stephon Nathaniel Martin, Jr. (13), Ridge Fields-Cooper (15), LaKethia Harrison (15), Danny Kelly (14) and Shadia Washington (17) HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO: Henry & Nicole Rose (4) and Don & Beatrice Sowell (18). HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO: Henry & Nicole Rose (4) and Don & Beatrice Sowell (18).

THE VIEW FROM THE HILL: The 2014 Summer Commencement at Prairie View A&M University is set for August 9, 2014 in the Billy Nicks Building at 9 a.m. Dr. Munir Quddus is the Associate Provost for the Northwest Houston Center (NWHC) and the dean of the College of Business is the speaker. More than 500 students are expected to receive diplomas. Among this year’s class of PhD’s will be Lisa Johnson.

Prairie View A&M University Summer Lake Nights Music Series concludes tonight, July 31 at 7:00 p.m. with Marcus Ardon and the Zydeko Legend Band. The Free concert series is sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement. For information on other programs call 936-261-1340.

Until next week, in the words of Nelson Mandela, "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb, and I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities and commitment." Keep the news, achievements and recognitions coming to prairieviewtoday@iwon.com or Prairie View Today, P.O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.

PVAMU Math Professor Evelyn Thornton passes

The Prairie View A&M University Family is mourning the passing of its Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Dr. Evelyn Thornton on July 15.

Thornton grew up in San Antonio, and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Southern University in the mid-1950s. She later earned her doctorate from the University of Houston in 1973. She served in many capacities during her long career at Prairie View A&M University, including the director of graduate mathematics program, head of the department of mathematics and director of the Undergraduate Research Institute.

She mentored thousands of students through her more than 40 years of teaching at Prairie View A&M University, was one of two African-American women featured in the Bullock Texas State History Museum Women Shaping Texas in the 20th Century special exhibition and was the first African-American to earn a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Houston.

"She was energetic, she was always involved," said her daughter Wanda Mott Russell. "She was community minded, and she believed in excellence. She was an all around educator, but also an all-around woman. She really was an example to many people, not just to me. She is going to be so missed by so many."

Funeral service for Dr. Thornton is set for 11:00 a.m. at the Windsor Village Methodist Church Kingdom Builder’s Center, 6011 Wet Orem Drive, Houston.

In lieu of flowers the Family has requested donations to: The Evelyn E. Thornton Legacy Endowment at Prairie View A&M University, P O Box 519/ MS 1200, Prairie View, TX 77446.

Thornton is survived by her daughter, her husband, her two sisters and grandchildren.

Mayor Jackson is Prayer Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Prairie View Mayor Frank D. Jackson is the speaker for the monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast set for July 19, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with networking and breakfast in the church’s Parish Hall.

Mayor Jackson will provide an update on his administration, accomplishments in the city, the Mayor’s Senior Outreach Project in collaboration with the 2104 ACCESS students of Prairie View A&M University. Economic development and the various "Sister Cities" initiatives with Belize, Columbia, Ghana and Mexico, and the pending relationship with Haiti.

Frank D. Jackson was elected Mayor for the City of Prairie View, Texas on May 4, 2002. He is seeking reelection for a seventh term in May 2014.

During his tenure as Mayor Frank D. Jackson worked cooperatively with members of the City Council to adopt the first City – Countywide Emergency Management Plan; install a traffic light at the intersection of University Drive & Owens Road; adopted the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and the City’s Strategic Plan; provided leadership to pass the City’s 1st bond initiative since 1975 to make critical upgrades to the water & waste water systems to include a complete refurbishment of the City’s water tower and tripling the capacity of the City’s main (Alta Vista) lift station , pave every street in the City with hot-mix asphalt, and build the 1st City owned City Hall & Municipal Court Building; erect a Welcome to City of Prairie View sign with flags on US 290; landscape major intersections; erect the “Fences Project” that recognizes the historic 14 Farm Families of PV; implement the bi-annual Panthers At Work City-wide Clean up involving the University and Community; widen University Drive from the entrance to Prairie View A&M University to Business 290 to a 5 lane boulevard with bicycle lanes, sidewalks and street lights; adopt a “Down Town Overlay Plan” that with guide a uniform and beautiful development of down town Prairie View; purchased property to build a City owned Retail Center.

Mayor Frank D. Jackson authored the 1st book on the history of the City of Prairie View, Texas entitled “A Brief History of The City of Prairie View” and also “Juneteenth.”

In addition to being mayor, Jackson the Director of Government Relations at Prairie View A&M University, President and Fire Chief of the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc., and Past Master of Lone Star Lodge # 85 – Hempstead, Texas and currently serves as Grand Historian for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas. He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter – Prairie View, Texas.

Mr. Jackson is married to Marian Elaine Jones and is the father of four children, Tracy, Ayanna, Cheikh & Okofo. The Jackson’s have two grandchildren Chazrel & Simone.

Mayor Jackson strives to live by the Motto: “Regardless of the phenomenon that we encounter in this life, it will be a whole lot better if we just do it together.”

The breakfast is free and we ask that you confirm your attendance by calling 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

PVAMU Professor Chapman Passes

William Hulon Chapman. retired professor of English at Prairie View A&M University passed away on July 3, 2014 in the Tomball Regional Hospital after a long illness. Chapman was born on September 30, 1937 to parents Hulon Chapman and Harriet Chapman Clayton in Greenville, South Carolina. He grew up and graduated from Sterling High School in Greenville in 1955.

Chapman received his Bachelor of Science Degree from North Carolina A&T State University and his Master of Arts from the University of Iowa. He also studied at the University of Michigan and the University of London.

He was a distinguished professor of English at Prairie View A&M University from 1966 until his retirement in 2004. During his tenure at the university he served in various capacities to include Interim Head of the Department of English and Foreign Languages and Head of Freshman Studies English; Senator on the Faculty Senate, the Prairie View Staff Association, Chairman of the Judges Committee for the Miss Prairie View A&M University Scholarship Pageant, Co-chairman of the Coronation Committee and served on various other academic and student affairs committees. He was also a long time sponsor for the Baptist Student Movement which won several national awards under his tutelage and guidance. Chapman always found ways to help students to achieve their goals and dreams. When a student approached him about publishing poetry of young poets at the university, it was Chapman that assisted the student in publishing Ebon Dialect, to much acclaim in the academy. His community involvement included membership with the Prairie View A&M University Alumni Association, Board Member of the Prairie View Federal Credit Union and the St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church.

Chapman was initiated into the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter on July 13, 1991 and served the chapter as Recording Secretary and Associate Editor of the Sphinx Magazine.

Mr. Chapman is survived by three brothers, Harold Chapman, Sr. of New York; Phillip Chapman, Sr. of Greenville; Nedra Booker of Greenville; and James Clayton of Houston, Texas; and a host of other family members, fraternity brothers and friends.

Funeral services include the viewing and memorial at the Johnson Phillip All Faiths Chapel at the university from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 11. The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will conduct their Omega Service at 6:00 p.m.

The Funeral services will be on Saturday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Baptist Church in Hempstead. Burial will be in the Prairie View Memorial Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the Family of William H. Chapman, , c/o Singleton & Sons Funeral Home, 627 New Orleans Street, Hempstead, Texas 77445.

Cedillo to host Meet the Candidate Forums for Waller County's Future

Sylvia Cedillo, Candidate for Waller County Judge, cordially invites citizens of Waller County to join her to ask questions, talk about your vision for Waller County, and express your concerns for Waller County's future.

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS for WEEK OF JULY 7-11, 2014

Tues, July 8 6-8 pm Waller County Courthouse Assembly Room 836 Austin St, Hempstead

Wed, July 9 6-8 pm City of Prairie View Council Chambers Business 290, Prairie View

Thurs, July 10 6-8 pm Waller County JP 2 Courthouse 27388 Field Store Rd

Fri, July 11 6-8 pm Waller County Library 3815 6th Street, Brookshire

Come on out and meet the candidate and voice your concerns and expectations. Your participation would be most appreciated!