Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 4-29-16 Bookstore Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016
B
Tampa Chapter Of The Links, Inc. Close Out Vigorous Year Of Programming And Events
bullying/trash talking, was the chapter chair for the Links Demoris Rhodes, TEEN SUMMIT
The Links, Inc. is an organi- zation of 276 chapters in the U. S. and the Bahamas dedi- cated to friendship and serv- ice.
The Tampa Chapter of the Links, Inc. was originally founded in 1951 with St. Pe- tersburg members. In 1987, the organization divided to be- come two chapters.
The Links, Inc.’s program- ming and fiscal year is from May to May. During May 2015 – May 2016, the Tampa Chap- ter has been very busy.
The chapter started the year off last June by increasing its ranks with 11 new members joining.
The new Links, Liz York Cohen, Atty. Monica Williams Harris, Atty. Eli- taMcMillon, the Honor- able Charlene Honeywell, Tanece Miles, Mary Dance, Professor Kendra Frorup, Chelsea Lee Og- gero, Sandra Brookins, Felecia Harvey, and Monique Stamps have jumped right in and made a difference with their participa- tion.
The chapter V.P. and Mem- bership ChairLink Renee Lee, Esq. was responsible for the entire 8 month process.
In November, The Tampa Links were the hosts of its an- nual Founders Day celebra- tion at the Rusty Pelican. Chapters from St. Petersburg and Sarasota/Bradenton joined the Tampa Links for the celebration. More than 100 people attended. This was largest attendance since the 3 chapters began celebrating the event together in the 1990s.
The beautiful event was chaired by Link Yolanda An- thony. Link Patsy Greene chaired the ‘Hats by Decades’ fashion show. Links from Tampa, St. Pete and Braden- ton modeled hats from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and up. Link Gladys Blalock wrote an original Founders Day song which was sung by Link Mon- ica Williams Harris, Esq., accompanied by Heir-O-Link, Normita Jeffery.
About 20 Tampa Links also attended a Friendship Lunch- eon in Orlando, where 6 chap-
ters from the Central Florida region got together to get to know each other and celebrate ‘friendship’. November is ‘Friendship Month’ for The Links, Inc. Links Carleen Thompson, Esq. and Jose- lynn Forde were the Tampa Chapter liaisons.
The chapter’s signature pro- gram is the ‘Jewels’ program at Sheehy Elementary and Van Buren Middle School, led by Service to Youth Chair and Co- Chair, Links Margarette Spears and Ozepher Wilds.
The Royal Jewels at Sheehy are made up of the entire class of 5th grade girls. The Radiant Jewels at Van Buren are se- lected 8th grade girls at the school.
Dr. Levy, Asst. Principal and the 5th grade teachers, Ms. Staci Hollaway, Ms. Kaneshia Williams, and Mr. Jason Garcia are the li- aisons at Sheehy Elementary where Mrs. Patricia Mc- Cants is principal. Mrs. Cyn- thia Forward is the liaison at Van Buren where Mr. Ovett Wilson is principal.
Throughout the school year, the Jewels at Sheehy are men- tored monthly. The Jewels sessions include bullying/trash talking, eti- quette and learning to engage the public. The Royal Jewels attended the Victorian Stroll and The Lion King. They were also trained to be greeters for the Community readers dur- ing the Links 10th Annual African American Read-In.
The Read-In was chaired by Link Phyllis Lee and Co- Chaired by Links Marsha Lewis Brown, Barbara Jackson and Evelyn Bethune.
The Royal Jewels will end the year with their Annual Mother/Daughter Tea on May 19th. The event is being chaired by Link Allison Wells Clebert and co- chaired by Link Evelyn Bethune. Links Sonjia Lit- tle and Patricia Parker are the trainers of the girls for their programs.
The Radiant Jewels at Van Buren have had monthly ses- sions dealing with
Links: Frances Sykes and Tanece Miles helped with the Summit.
Women’s History, and Dream- catchers.
The Links also hosted a Teen Summit at the school engaging and training the 8th grade Civics classes about the im- portance of voting.
The students viewed a ver- sion of the movie ‘Selma’ and engaged with presenters who viewed the amended version of the movie for discussion, Links, Attys. Monica Williams Harris and Elita McMillon and federal judge, the Honorable Charlene Honeywell. Links Janice Carter Collier and Frances Sykes talked to the students about their experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. Link Sykes was arrested twice for protesting while a student at FAMU in the 60s. Link Col- lier was a marcher when she was in 8th grade, in Albany, GA.
Link Liz York Cohen, chaired the Summit under the National Trends facet led by Link Hosetta Coleman.
The Tampa Chapter has also entered 2 art pieces created and drawn by Hillsborough County students for its Na- tional Art poster contest. More than 30 pieces of art were cre- ated by the students at Progress Village Magnet and Blake High School. The stu- dents were given the theme: ‘Healthy, Energetic, Active Lifestyles Matter – Make Health A Habit’. The winner will receive a cash prize and National recognition.
Links Eveyln Bethune and Kendra Frorup, an art professor at the University of Tampa were the chairs. Chap- ter members also attended a gallery showing of Link Kendra’s works.
The Tampa Chapter also had 18 members attend Links Day at the Capitol in honor of Link sister, Sen. Arthenia Joyner. The event was Sen. Joyner’s last in the Legisla- ture. Link Verneka Rhodes
Links: Atty. Monica Williams Harris, Felecia Harvey, Judge Charlene Honeywell, Janice Carter Collier, Sylvia Andrews, Patsy Greene, Liz York Cohen, Atty. Elita McMillon and Verneka Rhodes.
event.
The Tampa Links also hosted
a fundraiser on March 5th, its first golf tournament at his- toric Rogers Park Golf Course. The event was chaired by Link Kay Jefferson. Over 100 golfers enjoyed a day of golf. Along with 3 team winners, the golfers purchased raffle tickets for the numerous prizes.
The Tampa Links in partner- ship with the Tampa Housing Authority also hosted a Prom Gown Giveaway. More than 25 girls received free new and gently used gowns and dresses.
The event was chaired by Links Patsy Greene and Felecia Harvey. Tampa Housing’s beautiful new office was used and set-up like a boutique for the teens to see the gowns. Link Hazel Har- vey is a Board commissioner for Tampa Housing and as- sisted. Housing Authority staffer Anna Edwards was the contact for the event. Staff executives Stephanie Gilmore, Lillian Stringer, Irene Wormack and THA CEO Jerome Ryans were there to support the effort.
The chapter also donated $1,000 to the Arthenia Joyner Endowment Scholarship at FAMU Law School. The effort was led by Link Hosetta Coleman.
The chapter honored its alumni members at its April meeting. Members who are alumni do not have to partici- pate in any way. However, Tampa’s alumni members are among the most active in the nation, participating in every event the chapter has. Three members have ‘Platinum Sta- tus’.
Link Curtiss Wilson has been a member for 41 years and is 80+ years old, and Links Gloria Andrews and Frances Sykes have both been members for 50 years.
Joan Dawson, Hazel Har- vey, Ph.D, and Evelyn Bethune were all present. A special ceremony was planned. Each member re- ceived a rose and a gift. Link Ruth Bell, chaired the recog- nition, assisted by Protocol Chair, Links Paula Sheehy Snow and Yolanda An- thony.
The Links’ recent event was its first Free Community Health Fair held at Tampa Park Plaza. The entire Plaza was used for the event. Over 200 people came out to visit the 30 vendors and get screen- ings. Visitors lined up to get their blood pressure checked and get their legs screened using an ultrasound. Florida Hospital, Family Health, Life- Link, Feed America and Tampa Family Health were among some of the partners. Tonya Lewis helped with the social media promotion of the event.
There was a yoga and zumba class. And the highlight of the day was the ‘Ask The Doctor’ session. Drs. James Brookins, Sharon An- drews, Jacentha Buggs, Tina Clayton and Watson Ducatel answered medical questions for over an hour. Dr. Bruce Miles and Dr. Ducatel answered dental questions. Stephanie Pol- lard answered questions about breast cancer.
Link, Dr. Maria Russ was the event chair.
Chapter President, S. Kay Andrews said, “We are small compared to some groups, but we have been focused on serv- ing the community and foster- ing friendships.
“The love we have for our girls and each other bleeds through in our programming and events. We are wiping our brows as we look back on the year, but it was worth every hour spent planning and exe-
cuting.” See Next Page.