Page 24 - Florida Sentinel 3-31-17

Polk County News
Sixty Years Strong
ELDER FREDDIE And MOTHER MAMIE HIRD
HAPPY ANNIVER- SARY! to Elder Freddie and Mother Mamie Hird of Lake Wales, Florida who celebrated their 60th wedding an- niversary on March 29th. Sixty years of marriage!
Shaw-Nuf applauds you, Elder and Mother Hird! May the Lord con- tinue to bless this union with many more years of joy, together, as one!
Training Program To Hold Open House
YouthBuild-Lakeland is a training program that of- fers skills and training to youth and young adults, ages 18-24, who do not have a high school diploma or GED. While participat- ing in the six-month YouthBuild program, par- ticipants receive a bi- weekly stipend while
other year of life on (today) March 31st. It is my prayer that your special day was grand and that this year be filled with continued spiri- tual growth and many blessings!
Shaw-Nuf Shout-Out
This week’s Shaw-Nuf Shout-out goes out to Shari Wilson, State Co- ordinator of the Ms. Wheelchair Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization aimed at educating our communities about the importance of inclusion, acceptance and respect for ALL people. The organiza- tion also serves as a plat- form to advocate for the thousands of Americans who live with a disability throughout the State of Florida.
On Saturday, April 1st beginning at 6 p. m., Shari will host the organi- zation’s 5th annual empow- erment gala. The host-site will be the University of South Florida’s Marshall Student Center in Tampa. The newly crowned Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2017 will have the opportunity to travel, visiting advocacy groups, community part- ners, and policymakers communicating the needs of their constituents in the areas of housing, health- care, employment, and transportation.
Talk To Shaw-Nuf
Shaw-Nuf Talk wants to hear from you. Share your exciting news and/or photos of your celebra- tions, special events, birth- days, anniversaries, weddings, family reunions, church or community events, etc., with the read- ership of the Florida Sen- tinel Bulletin and Shaw-Nuf Talk by sending an e-mail to: shawnuftalk@yahoo.com or calling (863) 513-8437.
Celebrating Women’s
History Month: ‘A Tribute
To My Mother’
studying to obtain their GED, career development, and learning valuable life skills.
Participants are also af- forded the opportunity to obtain PACT, OSHA-10, and First Aid/CPR certifi- cations. Exams and certifi- cations are funded by YouthBuild, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost for par- ticipants.
YouthBuild-Lakeland will host an Open House on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 2p.m.–3p.m.atthe Lakeland Housing Author- ity’s Emma Turner Center, 1500 N. New York Avenue, Lakeland. All interested persons are invited to at- tend.
For further information call at (863) 413-3394 Ext. 306 or 308.
Very Special Birthday Greetings
Shaw-Nuf Talk ex- tends special belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to Michael R. Shaw, II who celebrated his 21st birthday on March 28th! Michael is the son of Michael R. Shaw and Yours Truly.
Special belated wishes for a HAPPY BIRTHDAY are extended to: Lakeland lady, Bonita Ruffin – March 20th, Teresa Rogers of Lakeland who also celebrated another natal day on March 28th; Minister Paulette Mack of Clearwater - March 29th; the mother-in-law of yours truly, Lakeland lady Martha Shaw, eldest daughter of yours truly, Adrienne Calhoun; Lakeisha Herbert and Ja’Darian Hird, who each are celebrating an-
“I am celebrating Women’s History Month this year, by thanking all of the women across the world for their great con- tributions on this earth. Since the beginning of time, many of our na- tion’s pioneers, leaders and coaches have been women and mothers. Today, I cele- brate my mother, in par- ticular. Since the day I was born my mother cared for me with a gentle hand of love and plenty of hugs.
“I can reflect back when I was in 2nd grade at Oscar J. Pope Elementary School, I distinctly re- member an incident where I got into trouble there. I didn’t really know what trouble was until my mother came to the school and gave me an unforget- table spanking at the school.
“Working my way through K-12 Polk County Public Schools my mother was always a positive in- fluence in my life. Today, I can honestly tell you I am very grateful my mother took time out of her busy schedule to correct me and coach me into displaying positive behavior.
“My mother always worked to impart wisdom and give me direction, which included taking me to church every Sunday. She always told me when I was a child that God blesses hard workers. When I was a youngster I did not like going to Church at all, but now as an adult I can’t stand to miss a Sunday Church Service.
“My mother also taught me good manners and to respect people of all cul- tures and to be kind to them whether I’m in their space or they are in mine. She taught me to respect my elders and to learn from them.
“One of my elders that echoed her statements and beliefs in my life was my High School Football
Dr. Shandale Terrell is a community activist, leader, educator and a member of the Lakeland Branch NAACP.
Coach, the great Mr. Bill Castle, an educator and head coach for Lakeland High School football team. Mr. Castle told me the same exact words my mother told me when I was in 10th grade at Lake- land High School. Mr. Castle pulled me to the side after a hard grueling football practice and said, “Dale, God blesses hard workers and he will bless you if you keep working hard.” I smiled and told him, ‘yes sir, I will work harder’ and he laughed and smiled.
“My mother has always been a leading example in my life. She is my heart, mental, social, and 110% spiritual coach. Without my mother’s prayers I would be lost in this world. I would never be that great student athlete I was at Lakeland High School. I know that without her I would have never earned my high school diploma, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. This is the reason why I celebrate my mother during Women’s History Month. I am celebrating my mother’s great work and contributions to this world and mankind.
“As a grown man, I love my mother dearly and will do anything to make sure she is happy at all times. I want most of all for her to know that her coaching has not been in vain and she is appreciated.”
PAGE 12-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017