CITY OF PRAIRIE CELEBRATES 50 YEAR SUMMER BASH

The City of Prairie View will commemorate its 50th Anniversary with a Summer Bash at Panther Hill on Richards Road on June 22, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Free event is open to the public.

Prairie View was incorporated in May 1969 with W. D. Thompson as its first mayor. The celebration will provide an opportunity for the public to listen to the legends of PV history, as the descendants of the early residents of the community share their stories of growing up in Prairie View.

Come out and enjoy the visual display of historical “Things to Know!” BBQ, drinks, games and fellowship.

For more information call: 713-870-6191.

The countdown is on for the 45th National Convention of the Prairie View A&M University National Alumni on July 25-27, 2019 at the Marriott City Place Springwoods Village Hotel, 1200 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring, TX 77389 and on the university’s campus. More than 500 alumni and friends of PVAMU are expected to attend the four-day event, featuring workshops, seminars, class meetings, campus tour and the awards ceremonies. Our theme: "FORWARD with Alumni Engagement!" The first 25 FULL registrations receive a free convention tee! For information visit: www.pvualumni.org or call 936-857-5817. REGISTER HERE

As a public service to the community, the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View will host the Houston FoodBank Mobile unit on June 20, 2019 to distribute Fresh Fruits and Produce. The program marks its first anniversary which began on July 2, 2016. Patrons will also be able to apply/renew essential services: i.e. SNAP, Children’s Medicaid/CHIP and TANF. Volunteers are welcomed to assist with the sign-in and distribution. There are no requirements to receive the free product. Please bring your own bags, boxes, etc. Please share this information with members of the community. For information call the Foodbank at 832-369-9390.

The Prairie View Volunteer Firefighters Association as you to make plans to attend the social event of the year: ‘Red Hot Summer’s Night in August’ and the 13th Annual Red & White Fireman’s Ball on August 31, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Willie A. Tempton, Sr. Memorial Student Ballroom at Prairie View A&M University.

This year the association is honoring its faithful supporters, who have supported the Firefighters from its beginning. Recipients include: Fire Engine Award - (2007–2018 Table Sponsors)- Individual Sponsor/Mr. Dan Jones Jr.; Prairie View A&M University Sponsor/Office of Student Affairs & University Advancement; Corporate Prairie View Sponsor/Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson; Organization Sponsor– Red Hat Society Special Ladies of Prairie View; Fire Truck Ladder Award: Student and Graduate Organizations and Organizations that Supported or Volunteered Throughout 2018)- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.-Zeta Gamma and Zeta Gamma Omega Chapters; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.-Eta Gamma and Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapters; Prairie View Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ignite at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Inc. Theta Chi Chapter, The Panther Party, Prairie View A&M University Women's Track Team, Criminal Justice Club, Prairie View Boy Scouts, Troop 1906 and Prairie View Cub Scouts, Pack 338 and The Immanuel Church at Prairie View.

A reception will be held at 6:30 pm prior to the even. The distinguished event is open to the public, with tickets priced at $40.00. Table sponsorships are available. The committee also encourage the patrons to purchase advertisement in the Souvenir Booklet. Monetary donations and Items for the Silent Auction are welcome. For additional questions, please contact Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmailcom.

June 13, 2017 marked a great change in administration at Prairie View A&M University when Dr. George C. Wright stepped down as the 7th president of the university. Wright is currently a professor of history at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, former president of Brown University was named interim president on June 19 with her tenure beginning on July 1, 2017. Simmons was confirmed as the 8th President of the University on December 4, 2017 and has brought tremendous attention and renewed spirit of support for the 143 year-old university. Simmons' inauguration on April 20, 2018 marked a tremendous day for the university and the academic community when she became the 8th president and the first woman to serve at the university

June 19, marks the 154th year when Texas acknowledged the order freeing the slaves by the reading of the emancipation proclamation on June 19, 1865 by General Gordon Granger at Galveston. Be reminded that the U.S. Congress abolished slavery in its territories on June 19, 1862, with the law taking affect on January 1, 1863. Texans and other Americans will pause today to celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating this historical moment. Kudos to State Representative Al Edwards and other Texas legislators for approving the Juneteenth Holiday bill in 1978 which was signed into law by Governor William P. Clements on June 13, 1979. Happy Juneteenth to all! St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church will host its annual Juneteenth Parade on June 19, 2019 beginning at 10:00 p.m. at the VF Factory in Hempstead and traversing to the church on Austin Street.

HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAY TO: Jimmie Lewis (3), Mary Smith Thibodeaux (3), Shatavia Turner (4), Blesson Isaac (5), Karsyn Roberson (5), Cecile Richards (6), Alonzo Watson (6), Shirley Mehn (8), Sharon Thibodeaux (8), Michelle Douse Shatteria (10), Gloria Perez (10), Ivory V. Nelson (11), Allan Sweet (11), Helen Dunham (12), Alfred Parks (12), Clarence Talley, Sr. (12), Donyelle Muse (3), Andre’ Pitre (13), Mary Ann Thibodeaux (14), Demetria Johnson-Howard (16), Lincoln Catchings (17), Felecia and Willie J. Bell, III (17), Monica Harden (18), Linda Woodson (18), Donnie Pennywell (19), Ruth Wanza (19), Lee Davies (20), Joyce M. Jeffrey (20), Karon Neal (20), Thomas Godwin (22), Chandra Johnson (24), Sharon McWhinney (24), Beverly Spears (24), Brystol Mayo (26), Ceaniel Ragston (26), Mary Boozer (27) Jokeisha Campbell (27), Jennifer Jackson (27), Benny Strange (27), Ronald Leverett (28), James Johnson (28), Robert Smith (29), Darlene Clark (30) and Caroline Stevenson (30).

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Brian & Shadia Washington (2), John and Sherylle Fuller (12), Nicole and Amando Gutierrez, Jr. (14) and Glen and Debra Berry (18).