Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 7-25-17

Feature
Students From The 70s Planning Dance, All-White Event
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The vision of a 1977 Jeffer- son High School graduate came to fruition last year when a group came together to host a “70s Dance.”
Sheila Harris Franklin
wanted to figure out a way that she could get to see more classmates when she’d come home for a visit from North Carolina.
“I wanted to see my old classmates. We all grew up to- gether as a family, blood or not. We ate at the same table and had many sleepovers,” she said. “We were poor and didn’t know it, but made the best of what we had.”
There were a few places that kept these 70s folks to- gether as they grew up – from elementary to middle and high school into adults – Gay Pappa Dances on Saturday nights, Rey Park, Sundays at River- front Park, and even the talent shows at the New Lounge. “These are the things that kept us safe and we didn’t have to
BEVERLY WRIGHT-BRINSON
worry about gang violence.”
Beverly Wright-Brin- son (Jefferson High, 1977), who is spearheading the event, and a group of ladies have been working diligently pulling together another 70s Dance and All-White Affair.
“We are so grateful to Mr. Miles and “J0e the Peanut Man,” at Riverfront Park, whose truck had mouth-water- ing pr0nto puffs and ice cold sodas. May they rest in peace.”
Last year the group hastily put something together an event with Ms. Franklin in town, but this year they’ve put
Pictured are: active committee members Sheila Harris- Franklin, Ollie Maddox-Carter and Elaine Hobley (inactive 2017), Darlene Harris, Gail Napper, June Green Williams and Beverly Wright-Brinson. Active committee members not pictured are: Rhonda Pierce, Sharon Gordon, Carol Miller-Pirant and Carolyn Cliatt-Williams.
ner will be served (BYOB - no glass); there’ll be door prizes, and more.
“Last year I cried tears of joy. The dance was awesome and this year will be even bet- ter. We’ll share old memories and make new memories,” Ms. Brinson said.
“Dayle Greene, a host from the TV show Black Con- tact is planning to attend. When I talked with him he was so excited.
“The DJ will be the awe- some Eric Myers and the MCs will be Ollie Maddox- Carter and JT, Tampa’s Dancing DJ. Nothing but 70s music!!”
Graduates from various high schools are invited to ‘re- member when.’ Contact Ms. Brinson, (813) 787-7136; June Green Williams, (813) 956-1769; Rhonda Pierce, (813) 892-0881; Carol Pirant, Darlene Harris, 1978 (813) 431-2859; Ollie Maddox-Carter, (813) 758-2652; Carolyn Cliatt- Williams, Leto 1977, (813) 310-4143.
in more time. “She asked me to spearhead the event,” Ms. Brinson said.
The 70s Dance and All- White Affair will be held on
Saturday, September 2, 2017, 8p.m.–12a.m.Theevent will be at the Sons of Italy Hall, 3315 W. Lemon St., Tampa. There is an admission fee. Din-
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