Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 9-30-16 Online Edition

Local
‘Porch Talk’ Radio Returns To The Airwaves
Grocery Chain Honors Father/Son Duo Who Worked Company Nearly 100 Years
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Eddie Adams is back on the air with his talk show, “Porch Talk,” and said it took five years to reach this point.
“I started off with Porch Talk radio on WGUL. We were on at 5 p.m. Saturdays for 2-1/2 years. We later de- cided to try television and we got on TBCN (Tampa Bay Community Network).
“We did that for 2-/12 years, went on a hiatus, and this past Saturday, “Porch Talk” re- sumed broadcasting, this time on Saturdays on WTMP 1150AM from 1 p.m. to 2 p. m.”
Adams said “Porch Talk” is a show that gives Black conservatives a chance to talk to the Black community.
“Most of the media tends to lean more liberal and only one side of the story was being told. We’re going to give them the other side and allow them to address the candidates.
“We will bring Republican candidates, part of the local leadership, and part of this has to do with our sponsor, the Hillsborough County Republi- can Executive Committee.”
Adams said this is a great opportunity for business own- ers and candidates to spend
money
in the Black community.
“I think this show is a big step in making that happen, and we will continue to broad- cast shows with the candidates until a week after the election.
“This is an effort by the can- didates to be seen and heard in the community. We will change hearts.”
Adams said he will con- sider their goal accomplished if they can convince one person to change their vote to Repub- lican.
“I think we’ve set up a good format, and there will be healthy conversations.
“Everyone realizes the im- portance of the African Ameri- can vote, so this show is critical.”
ISHMON JOHNSON, JR. and his father, ISHMON JOHNSON, SR.
Winn Dixie, Inc. is dedicat- ing three stores in honor of a father/son duo, Ishmon Johnson, Sr. and Ishmon Johnson, Jr. Together, the two men spent nearly 100 years of loyalty and service to the company.
Johnson, Sr. began working for the company in 1951 as a truck driver in Jack- sonville, FL. He “retired” in the early 80s, only to continue his service with the company as a tour guide on the famed Dee Dot Ranch, in Jack- sonville, owned by the founders of Winn Dixie, the Davis family.
In that capacity, Johnson, Sr. met and interacted with some of the most prominent state and national political fig- ures of that time. He served faithfully until his death, due to complications from prostate cancer, in May 2008.
Johnson, Jr. began his 35-year career with the com- pany in 1979, working his way up from bagger to store man- ager at several Tampa Bay lo- cations. He met his wife of 21 years, Tameca Johnson at a store location in Jacksonville and relocated to Tampa in 1995, joining his wife who was a news producer at ABC Action News.
In all of his 35 years on the job, Johnson, Jr. only called in sick once, before his battle with Stage IV prostate cancer forced him to take a leave of absence in August 2015. Johnson, Jr. succumbed to complications of the illness on March 20, 2016.
The following stores will be dedicated in honor of the two men:
The plaque that will hang in each of the 3 stores.
Thursday September 29, 2016, 5 P. M. (Johnson, Jr.’s birthday), Winn Dixie Grocery, Jacksonville Regional (where Johnson, Jr. and his wife met).
Saturday October 1, 11 A. M., Winn Dixie Grocery, Woodlake Plaza (where John- son, Jr. served in manage- ment), 8424 Sheldon Rd., Tampa, FL 33615.
Saturday October 1, 1 P. M., Winn Dixie Grocery (where Johnson, Jr. served in man- agement), 18407 U. S. High-
way 41, Lutz, FL 33549.
The ribbon cutting at the stores will be by 9-year-old
Ishmon Johnson, III.
The plaque presentations, with pictures of Ishmon Johnson, Sr. and Jr. on the job and at the ranch, will be made inside each of the stores. Among those attending the events will include: Winn Dixie Corporate Executives, current and former co-workers/em- ployees, city, state and com- munity leaders and members of the Johnson family.
Last Day To Register To Vote Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016
EDDIE ADAMS
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016