City of Prairie View Approves Emergency Funding

King Construction Materials Co. Inc. and the City of Prairie View Utilities Department continue its work on clearing out drainage and culverts to relieve the residents of potential flooding throughout the city, specifically in Prairie Hill. Mayor Frank Jackson and council approved some 150 hours of work for King Construction, who is being praised for the great work to date. Mayor Jackson stated that city and residents are eligible for reimbursement for emergency flood related expenses in relation to Texas being declared a disaster area under FEMA guidelines.

On June 19 members of the community took time out to celebrate and commemorate the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth with several activities to include special cookouts and a parade. The Greater St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church family hosted the Juneteenth Parade, which traveled from the VF Factory on US Business 290 to the Hempstead High School Gym for a formal program. Constable Herschel Smith and wife Sharon hosted their annual Juneteenth Cookout on Dooley Street in Prairie View. Several community leaders and friends were in attendance.

Reverend Charles H. Lewter, IV, Dean of the Johnson Phillip All Faith Chapel and Assistant Director for Student Engagement at Prairie View A&M University issued a challenge to the men at the Prayer Breakfast held at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on June 20. Under the theme of “A Few Good Men,” Lewter relied on the letter P to emphasize his points. “To the community, you must have Passion, Purpose, Promise and Plan,” Lewter said. He stressed the need for the men of the community to stand up and take charge and be that example for the young men. Mr. Albert Glover of Hello Hempstead, a 501(c) organization, shared activities of his organization and invited the men to attend the Health and HIV Testing event set for June 27 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at WNW Small Engine Repair on 224 Business 290 in Hempstead. All men of the community are invited to attend the free event. The next breakfast is on July 18.

The Immanuel Church at Prairie View will wrap up its Vacation Bible School – “The Journey Begins” – on June 26 at 4:00 p.m. at the church on 708 Thompson Drive. The program began on June 22 with children ages 4-16 in attendance. For information, contact Melanie Charleston – 281-961-8106 or melaniecharleston@yahoo.com.

Members of the Prairie View community said goodbye to two long standing members of the Methodist community on June 21 and 21. First, Reverend Kilamba Kulumba, after 21 combined years of service as the pastor of First United Methodist and Chairman of the Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry at Prairie View A&M University, along with his daughter, is headed to Columbus Ohio to join his wife and son. Reverend Wilmer Bonner, after 15 years as pastor of First United, is headed to Wilbur Chapel United Methodist Church in Hitchcock, Texas. Church members and friends joined in the special tribute to Bonner and his wife during the service on June 21. First United will welcome its new pastor, Reverend Dwayne A. Thompson on June 28. Thompson served as Associate Pastor of Covenant Glen United Methodist in Missouri City, Texas.

The Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association is gearing up for its 39th Family Reunion and National Convention on July 15-19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. More than 500 alumni and friends of PVAMU are expected to attend the four-day event, featuring workshops, seminars, class meetings and the awards ceremonies. For information visit: www.pvualumni.org or call 936-857-5817.

June begins the summer long celebration of Family Reunions and the Smith Family, namely the late John Henry and Birdie May Smith of Hempstead, gathered at the Waller County Fair Ground Complex on June 20 for their 2015 event. Hosting the event were Mary Ann Smith Thibodeau, Lorene Smith and Ben Smith, the three remaining Smith’s children and co-coordinated by Mary Lewis. Some five generations of Smiths from around Texas and other states, including Collin Ragston, Jr. from Norfolk, Virginia were on hand for the festivities.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for the health and well-being of Ernestine Carreathers, Cube Charleston, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Mae Helen James, Evelyn Jones, David Kirkpatrick, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Theola Woods, Douglas Woolfolk and Arie Yell.

HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAY TO: Chandra Johnson (24), Sharon McWhinney (24), Beverly Spears (24), Terry Tuck (25), Ceaniel Jallah (26), Brystol Mayo (26), Ceaniel Ragston (26), Jokeisha Campbell (27), Jennifer Jackson (27), Benny Strange (27), Patrick Gray (27), Dymonique Burton (28), Travis Reed (28)Ronald Leverett (28), James Johnson (28), Robert Smith (29), Darlene Clark (30) Dwayne Charleston (30) and Caroline Stevenson (30). Happy July Birthday to: Frankie Rigsby (7), Rona Bledsoe (9), Freddie L. Richards (9) Rose Fantahun (9), Richard D. Hayes (11), Dr. R. N. S. Rao (11), Joann Thibodeaux, (11), Imoni Williams (11), Vivian Smith [Fiscal Office] (13), July Anniversary Congratulations to Brandon and Alaina Shelby (8), and Leon and Lee Gillian (10).

Make plans now to attend the social event of the year: ‘Red Hot Summer’s Night in August’ and the 9th Annual Red & White Fireman’s Ball on August 29, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Willie A. Tempton, Sr. Memorial Student Ballroom at Prairie View A&M University. The event honors the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. and Law Enforcement Officers and Personnel in Waller County and surrounding areas. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. in the student center foyer. Supporters are invited to take on sponsorship and make donations for the silent auction. Tickets and souvenir ads for the public event are available through August 10, 2015. Proceeds will support equipment and operations. For information, contact: Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmail.com.

Until next week, in the words of President Lyndon B. Johnson, "enlightened loyalty requires that each citizen take the trouble to learn about, to discuss, to think through, the crucial issues of our time." Keep the news, achievements and recognitions coming to prairieviewtoday@iwon.com, or P.O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.