Prairie View Today for November 26, 2015

Prairie View Today By Frederick V. Roberts November 26, 2015

Today, November 26, Americans at home and abroad are celebrating Thanksgiving 2015 with family, friends and loved ones to reflect on the many blessings they have received over the years. As we reflect on the day history has it that the first Thanksgiving was proclaimed by President George Washington on November 26, 1789 as a day of gratitude for the adoption of the Constitution. In this season of national thankfulness, take time and express appreciation for a way of life that, despite all of its faults, has given the U.S. the best the world can devise. We have all have much to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. is hosting two major events leading up to the 2015 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. First the association launches its Annual Food and Toy Drive from November 10-December 19. Drop off places are Fire Station on 502 Ellen Powell St., Prairie View every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; Prairie View City Hall on US Business 290 and the Prairie View Federal Credit Union on University Drive during business hours. Bring a smile to a child; donate unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 0-17. For information contact: 936-857-9550. Next is the Annual Senior’s Luncheon for Thanksgiving on November 26, 2015 at 12 Noon at the Fire Station.

November 28th is Small Business Saturday® in America, a program created by the American Express Company in 2010 to help business owners with their most pressing need-- getting more customers. Since then, shoppers continue to rally in support of small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thanks to American Express, FedEx and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for support of the program. Go out and support your small businesses.

The members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Eta Gamma (PVAMU), Pi Omicron (TAMU), Epsilon Tau Lambda (Prairie View), Pi Alpha Lambda (College Station) and Gamma Sigma Lambda (Cypress/Katy) Chapters will join Alphas around the world in commemorating its 109th Anniversary with a Founders' Day Observance Program on December 6, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in the Johnson Phillip All Faiths Chapel at Prairie View A&M University. The fraternity was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, on Dec. 4, 1906. The speaker is Dr. Kyron Green, administrator at Texas A&M University. Participants include Boys Scout Troop 1906 who will post the colors and The Alpha Singers. The public is invited.

PVAMU Alumni have a lot to be thankful for this year. First congratulations to Dr. Dawn Dubose on her selection of Principal of the Year presented by the National Association of Black School Educators at its recent meeting Houston, Texas. Dubose is principal for HISD-Red Elementary and is a 1998 graduate of PVAMU. Congratulations also to Ernie Collins, a recipient the of 1890 Universities Career Exemplar In augural Awards from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Collins, a 1969 graduate, is among 19 recipients from historically black land-grant universities receiving the award. Collins retired from the ExxonMobil formally Humble Oil and Refinery Company in 2003 after 34 years of service.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Ernestine Carreathers, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Evelyn Jones, David Kirkpatrick, Gail Adams Lee and Family, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Theola Woods and Douglas Woolfolk. May God’s peace be with you!

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY TO: Samuel Montgomery (23), Priscilla Yell (23), Willie R. Gooden (25), James Jacob Boyer (26), Irma Kendrick (26),Charles McClelland (26), Monica Allums (26), Alonzo Watson (27), Evelyn Jones (29), Nathan Manuel (29), Edward W. Martin (29), Pamela Whitehead (30) and Ora Whitfield (30). Happy Wedding Anniversary: Charles & Florine Muse (27). Happy December Birthdays: Justin Samuel (1), Valeria Nickerson (1), Lewis Smith (1), Sarah Williams (1), Linda Barrs (2), Betty Ricks (2), Robert Woodie McClennon (2),Scherrentina Williams (3), Jessica D. Berry (8), Ursula Johnson (15) and Vanessa Weatherspoon (15).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Congratulations to the PVAMU Panther Football team and coaches on a successful 2015 season. Under the leadership of Coach Willie Simmons, his first season, the team amassed a 9-2 season and 9-1 SWAC record, the first in decades for the Panthers. The team impressive record has caused an all-out petition to the NCAA for consideration of an at-large post season play. At press time a decision has not been made. The PVAMU Family is hopeful that the 2015 Panthers will be selected.

Don’t forget to support Radio-thon 2015 hosted by KPVU FM 91.3 at Prairie View A&M University. The station is celebrating its 34th Anniversary. It began its on-air service on November 26, 1981 under the leadership of Shirley Staples as the laboratory for the Communications Department. Since then, the station has taken a broader role and is a PBS Station, supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. For information, contact kpvu@pvamu.edu or 936-261-3750.

The staff of the Johnson Phillip All Faith Chapel and student organizations at PVAMU will host its 2015 “Gift for Tots” on Dec. 5 at 10:00 am. All children (toddlers to 8 years of age) are invited to come out and receive a Christmas gift. They are also accepting unwrapped gifts for the program. For information contact Ms. Lewis at 936-261-3591./p PVAMU announces its 2015 Fall Commencement schedule with two exercises on December 12 at 9 a.m. and at 1 p.m.in the William “Billy” Nicks, Sr. Building. Major General (Ret) Julius Parker is the commencement speaker. General Parker is the President and CEO, J.P. Industries, Inc. and the JADOR Enterprises Inc., consulting firms located in Phoenix, Arizona. Parker and his wife Dorothy June are proud alumni of Prairie View A&M University. Parker graduated in 1955 with a commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and retired as the highest ranking African American Intelligence Officer in the history of the army. The Parkers children, Julius Jr. and DaVita also graduated from PVAMU. The New Alumni Induction is on December 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Opal Johnson-Smith Auditorium./p Until next week, remember that whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Believe in the power and make a difference in the lives of others. Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@yahoo.com, P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.