Page 2 - 6-3-16 Friday's Edition

Features
Retired Educator Celebrates Her 100th Birthday With Party
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Sunday, a retired Tampa educator celebrated her 100th birthday with a party. The party took place at the Tampa Park Resource Center.
When interviewed by the
Sentinel, Ms. Bessie Ro- driguez said she was very surprised that her family had a party in her honor. “I was very surprised. I didn’t find out about it until about two weeks before it took place.”
When asked how does it feel to turn 100? Ms. Ro- driguez replied, “I don’t feel like I’m 100. I feel like I’m about 80,” she said.
Ms. Rodriguez was born and raised in Quincy, Florida. “I don’t remember my mother or my father. I was raised by an aunt and an uncle,” she re- called.
She attended the schools of Gadsden County. After gradu- ating from high school, Ms. Rodriguez enrolled at Florida A & M University. She earned her degree in education because her goal was to teach children to read with under- standing. After graduating she obtained a job as an educator.
When her uncle and aunt
Ms. Bessie Rodriguez celebrated her 100th birthday on May 25, 2016. She was treated to a birthday party. (Photograph by Sylvester Harris)
decided to move to Tampa in the 1940s, she came with them. After relocating, she ob- tained employment with the Hillsborough County School District.
During a career that spanned more than 47 years, Ms. Rodriguez taught at Carver Elementary, and Booker T. Washington Junior High School. She retired in 1988 from N. B. Young Junior
High School as a Reading Spe- cialist.
She knew it was important to read with understanding. And, even today, more than 20 years after retiring, she re- mains true to reading. In fact, with the exception of watching some game shows on televi- sion, Ms. Rodriguez lists reading as her only hobby.
The mother of one daugh- ter, Ms. Normita Jeffery, Ms. Rodriguez has two granddaughters, and 1 great granddaughter.
She is a member of St. Paul AME Church, the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Links, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and the NAACP.
A large crowd was present to help Ms. Rodriguez cele- brate her 100th birthday and she said she enjoyed it. But, she said that is enough parties, she doesn’t want one next year.
Unity Event Planned To Bring Community Together
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
For more than 10 years, a group of Tampa citizens held an annual festival designed to bring members of the commu- nity together in a relaxed, fun- filled atmosphere. Now, the members of Positive Images Committee have reunited.
On Sunday, June 12th, the First Unity In The Community Event will take place at the Centennial Park, 1800 E. 18th Avenue, (corner of 8th Avenue and E. 18th Avenue), from 12 noon until 6 p.m.
Ms. Debora Barr said, “We are planning a great event. We have resurrected the Posi- tive Images Committee be- cause what is going on in our community has brought us great concerns.
“We wanted to have some- thing to reflect the positive things in the community and to focus on the good in the com- munity.”
The Committee is inviting people from all walks of life, all ethnicities, all cultures, all ages, and all religions to come to- gether in an afternoon of fun and entertainment. They are hoping to attract members of churches, organizations, busi- nesses local government, as well as individuals and fami- lies.
Ms. Barr further said there are still a few spots open for vendors and entertainers. The deadline to sign up as a vendor or entertainer is June 7th.
The event will feature ven- dors offering a wide variety of
different types of food, infor- mation ranging from health to finances, and family-oriented activities.
Historical displays that dis- cuss the origins and story of various fractions of the com- munity will be at the park. There will be an antique and classic car show. The Tampa Fire Department will have its equipment on display, while the Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Sher- iff’s Office will have Mounted Police and its vehicles on dis- play.
The three honorary Co- Chairpersons are Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward, and David Gee, the Hillsborough County Sheriff.
For more information about the event contact Mar- vin Knight at (813) 453-5690; Chief Tom Forward at (813) 334-5705; or Ms. Trienicia Washington at (813) 928- 3879.
MS. DEBORA BARR Member of Positive Images Committee
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