Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Happy Kwanzaa were the
key words used throughout the week. Christmas 2012 is almost history. All of the gifts have been opened, the kids
with the new toys and the grown-ups with their iPods, Androids, iPhone 5 and
Wii-Ws. We trust you had a great time and that you shared the Christmas spirit
with the less fortunate.
Monday, December 31 is the last day of the year and the 6th day of Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1), a time when African Americans and others of African descent celebrate and reflect on the spirit and achievements of their ancestors. In the spirit of celebration, Kwanzaa, Swahili for first fruits of the harvest, was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a unique celebration of unity. It is a celebration based on seven principles, called the Nguzo Saba. The principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective work and responsibility), Ujamma (Cooperative economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa also incorporates the symbols Mazoo (fruits), Mkeka (place-mat), Kinara (candle-holder), Vibunzi (ears of corn), Zawali (gifts), Kikombe cha umoja (a communal cup of unity), and Mishumaa saba (seven candles). We invite you to take time and celebrate this joyous occasion with your families and friends.
Monday, December 31 is the last day of the year and the 6th day of Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1), a time when African Americans and others of African descent celebrate and reflect on the spirit and achievements of their ancestors. In the spirit of celebration, Kwanzaa, Swahili for first fruits of the harvest, was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a unique celebration of unity. It is a celebration based on seven principles, called the Nguzo Saba. The principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective work and responsibility), Ujamma (Cooperative economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa also incorporates the symbols Mazoo (fruits), Mkeka (place-mat), Kinara (candle-holder), Vibunzi (ears of corn), Zawali (gifts), Kikombe cha umoja (a communal cup of unity), and Mishumaa saba (seven candles). We invite you to take time and celebrate this joyous occasion with your families and friends.
Tuesday is January 1, 2013, a new year and a new beginning with many opportunities to do those things we wanted to and didn't. Tuesday also marks the sesquicentennial (150th year) of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln which ended slavery in the United States of America. Albeit, Texas did not honor the law until June 19, 1865, and thus the slaves in Texas endured two more years of legalized tyranny. In my opinion, it’s almost a prophetic move because on January 20, 2013 President Barak Obama will be sworn in for a second term for president of the United States, a country which 150 years earlier enslaved his ancestors and enforced laws that prevented the Black man from citizenship and voting. What a mighty God we serve!
January 1 also marks the swearing in of the incumbents and newly elected county officials in a ceremony at the Court house beginning at 9:00 a.m. Congratulations to all, especially Precinct 3 new officials: Jeron Bennett, Commissioner and Herschel Smith, Constable.
Congratulations to the winners of the Christmas Decoration
Contest sponsored by the Prairie View Top Ladies of Distinction (TODL). The winners are: 1st Place – James and Katy
Johnson (Alta Vista) and 2nd Place – Mark and Elaine Shafer – Sycamore
Street. The TODL expresses thanks to the
participants for their creativity, ingenuity and spirit in the celebration of
Christmas and looks forward to 2013.
Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for the health and
well-being of Esel Bell, Ernestine Carreathers, Purvis Carter, Dorothy Anderson
Carter Family, Hulen and Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Betty Jackson, David
Kirkpatrick, James Poindexter, Cecile Richardson, Willie Smith, Mary Ann
Stubblefield and Douglas Woolfolk. May God’s peace be with you!
HAPPY DECEMBER Birthday congratulations to: Dalton McWhinney
(27), Marie Hill (28), Jocelyn Whiting (29), Beatrice Sowell (29), Johnie
Walker (29), Jocelyn Whiting (29), Michael Sowell (30) and Lillian Bernard
(31). HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: George and Carolyn Brown (28) and Everett &
Beckey Fredholm (28). HAPPY JANUARY
BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: Felecia Bell (1), Willie J. Bell, III (1), Helen Boyer (2),
Donald Sowell (6), and Irene Reid (7).
A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Congratulations to Dymonique Burton on the release of his book “He’s Finally Spoken” which chronicles his lifespan with anecdotes and poetry. Burton tells of his troubled youth, gang involvement and the penal system to finishing high school, graduating from Prairie View A&M University and pursuing a career in architecture and construction science with a Fortune 500 company. Dymonique served as Vice President and Director of Mentoring for the Collegiate 100 during his years at PVAMU. The book will be in stores and available on Amazon.com in January.
A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Congratulations to Dymonique Burton on the release of his book “He’s Finally Spoken” which chronicles his lifespan with anecdotes and poetry. Burton tells of his troubled youth, gang involvement and the penal system to finishing high school, graduating from Prairie View A&M University and pursuing a career in architecture and construction science with a Fortune 500 company. Dymonique served as Vice President and Director of Mentoring for the Collegiate 100 during his years at PVAMU. The book will be in stores and available on Amazon.com in January.
Congratulations to Miss Courtney Neville on her graduation
from Duke University with her Nursing Degree on December 10. Courtney, a member
of Zeta Gamma Omega chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., received the
Bachelors in Biology from Prairie View A&M University in May 2011. Miss
Neville is awaiting results for her licensure and will take up residence in
Washington, DC.
As we reflect on the happenings of 2012, for better or worse
our lives were changed. It is history,
so put it behind you and welcome 2013 with all its challenges, hope and a
renewed spirit.
This is officially the last column for 2012 and as you
prepare for the New Year, many of you will probably make some resolutions that
are soon broken in most cases. To help on your journey here are few suggestions
for 2013 as you set achievable goals to enhance your personal and professional
life. These 10 Traits for Success from IBD have been very helpful over the
years and I offer them to you: (1) How you think is everything - always be
positive. Think success, not failure. Avoid the negative environment. (2)
Decide upon your true dreams and goals - write down your specific goals and
develop a plan to reach them. (3) Take action - a goal is nothing without
action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it. (4) Never stop learning: go
back to school or read books. (5) Be persistent and work hard - success is a
marathon, not a sprint. Never give up. (6) Learn to analyze details - get all
the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes (7). Focus your time and
money - don't let other people or things distract you. (8) Don't be afraid to
innovate; be different - following the herd is a way to mediocrity. (9) Deal
and communicate with people effectively - no man is an island. (10) be honest
and dependable and take responsibility - otherwise, numbers 1-9 won't matter.
Until next week, have a Happy and Prosperous New Year. My sincere thanks to all of you for allowing
me to share your stories in Prairie View Today another year. Thanks also to staff of the Waller County
News Citizen for is continued support of the column. Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@iwon.com
or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.
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