Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 12-15-15 Edition

Local
Waterworks Park Concert
St. Petersburg AKA
Chapter Celebrates
A Reminder Of The Old Days
60-Year Anniversary
On November 29 Waterworks Park in Tampa, close to 400 people stood, sat in chairs, at tables, or just loi- tered around outside for a concert that brought back memories of the 1960s.
Thanks to Club 1828 owner, Marlin, his Enter- tainment Director, Lawrence “Rap” Hires, and Freddie Shellman, the people got to enjoy a beauti- ful evening in an even more beautiful park while they were entertained.
With entertainers like
Clarence Carter, Bull- winkle, Shirley Murdock, and Betty Wright, memo- ries of concerts at Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory came to mind.
It didn’t take long for sev- eral line dances to get started, and the sidewalk in front of the main stage was full of dancing patrons.
Everyone in attendance is anxious for the next big show hosted by 1828 Entertain- ment, and the “grown and mature” crowd enjoyed an evening without a lot of chaos and distractions.
“Sitting there watching women pulling liquor bottles out of their handbags re- minded me of the shows at the Armory,” said George Rudolph.
“They couldn’t sell alco- holic beverages at the Ar- mory, so everyone had to BYOB (bring your own bot- tle). It felt good to see those days returning, and I was happy to be a part of it.” (PHOTOS BY JULIA JACKSON)
St. Petersburg, FL - The members of Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will cel- ebrate 60 years of service Dec. 18-20 at the St. Petersburg Hilton Hotel.
The local chapter was char- tered on Dec. 15 in 1955 by 15 courageous women deter- mined to serve the community and enhance young people’s lives.
The chartering members who have respectfully become known as the “Fifteen Pearls of ZUO” were: Annie Barton, Ruth Batson, Pauline Besselli, Lena Brown, Mary O. Brown, Claronell Griffin, Bertha James, Rubye Wysinger, Dorothy Johnson, Elizabeth Jones, Annie McLin, Willie M. McMurray, Eloise E. Perkins, Verdya Robin- son, and Florence Williams.
The first president was Lena Brown. Shortly after the chartering, nine other members transferred their membership from Gamma Theta Omega in Tampa to Zeta Upsilon Omega.
Under the leadership of Cassandra Williams, chap- ter president, sorority mem- bers will host a weekend of
CASSANDRA B. WILLIAMS ...President, Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter
planned activities, including a holiday party on Dec. 18 and a members’ only gala on Dec. 19. The public is invited to attend a free reception at 4 p. m. on Dec. 20 at the St. Petersburg Hilton Hotel, 333 1st Street S. in St. Petersburg.
During the public event, the sorority will announce the re- cipients of its inaugural Com- munity Assistance Grant awards. The initiative was launched in 2015 to support the development of community service projects and increase civic engagement among youth and families. Award amounts range from $500 to $1,000.
Other event highlights in- clude a proclamation presen- tation by the City of St. Petersburg, along with special greetings from representatives of the Divine Nine organiza- tions.
The show stopper himself, Bullwinkle, stops to pose with pro- moter Lawrence “Rap” Hires, and Ted Lindsey.
Shirley Murdock put on a performance many were talking about long after the show was over.
Betty Wright sings to the crowd about how the “Cleanup Woman” operates.
Florida Reaches Deal With Seminole Tribe
SEMINOLE HARD ROCK CASINO
th
at the
Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday that he and the Seminole Tribe have reached a new gambling deal that would bring in billions to the state while also allowing an expansion of gambling in South Florida.
Gov. Scott said that the compact with the tribe would generate $3 billion for the state over a seven-year period starting in 2017. It must be ratified by the Florida Legis- lature.
The tribe gets to keep card games such as blackjack at their casinos across the state, including the Seminole Hard Rock casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, and to add table games such as roulette and craps.
Five years ago, the state and the tribe reached a deal to
allow blackjack and other types of card games to be set up in the tribe’s casinos. It gave the tribe a significant asset because while dog tracks and horse tracks can offer poker, they can’t offer blackjack. In exchange it guaranteed $1 billion to the state.
That deal expired this past summer and a grace period to remove the blackjack tables ended in October. That led both sides to file lawsuits in federal court. With the agree- ment in hand, the state and the tribe can now drop their lawsuits.
The question remains whether Gov. Scott and the tribe can win support from a Legislature that often is di- vided deeply over gambling issues.
Dressed
Williams, Thelma Thomas, and Evva Wilson.
Clarence Carter put on a great show and said he’ll be back in January.
for the
occasion
were Ellen
This is a scene of some of the people in attendance at the show.
Jesse Oats and LaTraia Savage enjoyed the concert.
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015