The Ending of An Era with the Waller County News Citizen

July 26 marked the end of an era in journalism – news reporting – with the closing of the Waller County News Citizen. Almost seven years ago, in its July 28, 2011 edition, the paper announced it was shutting down. All of Waller County was shocked that the paper was falling to the way side in wake of electronic news. “It’s a sad and historic day for Hempstead and all of Waller County,” said Joe Southern, then general manager and editor. “In closing the paper, we know that we leave a void in the county, but I trust that someone will step up to meet the need here.” On August 4, 2011, in stepped Mr. Joe Bennett, a local businessman and philanthropist, to the rescue to continue the publication. Mr. Bennett also created a museum of sorts to preserve its more than 100-year history of covering Waller County.

As a columnist for the paper I met with Mr. Bennett and informed him that I was committed in continuing the Prairie View Today segment if he desired. He was amenable and also gave me a small stipend along the way. Since 1997, the News Citizen has been the home for Prairie View Today which became a staple and provided general articles, announcements and personal anecdotes from members of the community. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Bennett, Art and Denise, for the opportunity to tell the Prairie View Story and for their kind cooperation and support. Like the phoenix, I am hopeful that the next chapter of the Waller County News Citizen shall be written again soon. As for Mrr. & Mrs. Bennett, they will be riding off into the sunset in West Texas.

The Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association held another successful convention in the Big Easy - New Orleans, Louisiana at the Boomtown Casino and Resort, on July 19-21, 2018. This year’s theme: "It's All about Alumni Engagement" met the task and challenge. Thanks to the Board of Directors, President Miss Kimberly Runnels, Host Committee Chairman Christopher Sanderson and the Executive Staff - Erma Sadberry and Lula Richard, the event was a success. The alumni was challenged by President Simmons to join her in embracing the radical changes for greatness at the university; Dr. Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University urged the members to evangelize and not to demonize, and to make a personal investment in our university; Roy Perry, Chairman of the PVAMU Foundation told the members that the magnificent stadium still has to be paid for; Carme Williams, Vice President for Development stated that she was working on improving the relation for the alumni giving; Fred Washington, Vice President for Auxiliary Services removed the myth that there was no housing for students in the Prairie View area; and the contributions of the other staff at the university and Dr. W. Gabriel Selassie, Endowed Professor at City University of Los Angeles challenged the members to preserve the cultural heritage of the university. Awards were presented to Mark Falls, Alumnus of the Year, Clarence Miller most Senior Alumnus (Class of 1951) and Donna Clover, youngest Alumnus (Class of 1997) and the Prairie View Athletic Club as Chapter of the Year. For information on the NAA go to: www.pvualumni.org or call 936-857-5817.

The countdown is on for the social event of the year - 12th Annual Red & White Ball on August 25, 2018. The event, hosted by the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. will recognize the fire fighters that have gone above and beyond the call of duty and outstanding citizens of the community. The Red-Hot Summer’s Night in August begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. in the Willie Tempton Memorial Student Ballroom on the beautiful campus Prairie View A&M University. This year’s honorees include Waller County First Responders (Firefighters, Dispatchers and EMS Personnel). The event is open to the public with tickets at $40. Proceeds provide support for the department. For more information, contact Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmail.com or Sandra Wenzy at sandracworldcare@yahoo.com.

The members and leaders of Boy Scouts Troop 1906 will celebrate the achievement of Eagle Scout Ranks for Cheikh Jackson and Tyrese Skeene on August 12 at 4:00 p.m. in the Waller-Carden building at Prairie View A&M University. The public is invited to share in the achievement and to congratulate the young men, the first for the city in 21 years.

The members of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church will host the Houston FoodBank Kraft Mobile on August 1, 2018 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the church on 204 Dooley and 200 Phillips Street in Prairie View. The distribution will include Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Produce and other food items for patrons will also be able to apply/renew essential services: i.e. SNAP, Children’s Medicaid/CHIP and TANF. There are no requirements to receive the free product. Please bring your own bags, boxes, etc. For information write: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net or call 936-857-3272. “Buyer Beware” issues in buying and selling property is the first in a series of Legal Clinic for the Public sponsored by the Amos Project set for August 13, 2018 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall, St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 200 Phillips/204 Dooley Street in Prairie View. Limited seating; please call 936-857-5964. Suggested donation for the program is $15.

Congratulations to Jimmie Earl Lewis, III on receiving the 2018 National Scholarship Award from the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Jimmie is senior Biology major and is currently interning with the Collective Generational Mentoring Foundation of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Jimmie is one of 5 members selected on a regional basis for the scholarship.

Need your vehicle custom detailed? Well The PV Car Wash at the Valero on Business 290 and University is open for detailed services. While you’re having the vehicles attended to, Penrice and Associates are also into residential and commercial repairs. Additionally, they are seeking experienced carpenters, gardeners and maintenance workers. Please call 979-525-8127 for appointments and application.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Ada Beal, Amy Boykin, Irene Davis, Brian Engle, B. J. Freeman, Jerry Kellum, Lorraine Kirkpatrick, Pearl Martin, Katherine Reed and Family, Mary Thibodaux Smith, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Johnathan Lanham, Sandra Watson, and Odessa Anderson Woodard. May God’s peace be with you! We also give thanks to God for the recovery of the 12 Soccer Players and the Coach in Thailand.

HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAY TO: Jayden Smith (24), Gloria Thompson (26), Renee’ Calloway (27), Marcus Lang (27), Ashlee Davies (29), Autry Osby (29) and Mary S. Hawkins (30). HAPPY JULY WEDDING ANNIVESARY TO: Alvin and Redessa Coleman (23) and Gloria & Rick Richardson (31). HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY TO: George E. Brown (1), Harold S. Bonner (1), Gwendolyn Grossman (1), Cathy Harris (3), Barak Obama (4), Joe Namhia (4), Jimmie Jackson Jr. (5), Nita Chirlow (5), Debra Berry (8), Evelyn Santee (8), Blessing Ezeoka (10), Jonathan Randle(11) and Arthrayia Love Tompkins (12). HAPPY AUGUST ANNIVERSARY TO: Cecil & Amy Boykin (18) and Don & Beatrice Sowell (18).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Tonight, July 26, 2018, Prairie View A&M University Summer Outdoor Concert Series at 7:00 pm in the Hollands and Gaines Park. The Free concert series, sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement each Thursday in July. It is open to the public. For information on other programs call 936-261-1340.

Congratulations to Loni Love, co-host of “The Real” on her latest contract deal with Warner Bros. Television, to produce a scripted comedy series for the studio, based on the comedian’s larger-than-life persona as a thriving single woman. “I am thrilled to be developing a comedy with Warner Bros. as I continue to co-host ‘The Real,’” said Love, a self-made woman who grew up in Detroit’s Brewster-Douglas Housing Project and received her Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University.

Congratulations to Dr. Corey S. Bradford, Senior Vice President for Business at Prairie View A&M University on his Outstanding Award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) at its recent convention in Long Beach, CA. Bradford was among six others receiving the award. He has been at the university since July 2011.

Prairie View A&M University is gearing up for its 2018 Summer Commencement on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Berry Center of Northwest Houston, 8877 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77433. The commencement speaker is Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and Chief Executive Officer of UNCF (United Negro College Fund). Lomax is a former president of Dillard University in New Orleans and a literature professor at Morehouse and Spelman colleges and serves on the boards of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of African American History and Culture and the Studio Museum of Harlem. He founded the National Black Arts Festival.

In closing, my sincere thanks to the members of the community for their loyal support and for sharing their stories for publication. In the words of Frank Herbert, “There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.” Please know that you can continue to keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446. I will continue to publish on www.prairieviewtoday.blogspot.com.