Are you a breast cancer survivor? Team WH.I.P. (Working to Help those In Pink) local cancer group is sponsoring a FREE luncheon for ALL breast cancer survivors, Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 pm EST.  This even will take place at Jane K Farrar Event Center (Lanett Senior Center) on Lanier Avenue. Theme:  “Pink Goes on with Love”.  Special Guest survivor Sheriff Sid Lockhart and Dr. Nancy Merner, Asst Professor Department of Pathobiology College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University.  You must RSVP to Sonya Adams 706.518.8637 no later than Jan. 30.  I am a survivor and I hope to see you there. 

DO YOU believe women do most of the faithful, needed unity in church? The community says “No”! Then the question arrived can you prove it? The community of St. Stephens and several other communities witnessed a top notched well prepared “Men at Work” Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 9:00 AM EDT. Where did these men lift a theme up? It was at St. Stephens CME Church, Valley, AL. Brother Bradley Gibson, Jr. spoke beautifully on the theme, John 9:4.  The Master of Order in charge of the order of the program: Bro. Calvin Cochran. The Devotional Exercise continued with Men 2 Ministry Brothers: Bro. Frankie Ross prayed for the Men’s Ministry. Scripture was read by Bro. Bradley Gibson, Jr. from John 9:4 and Bro. Amos Newton who prayed for unity. The Mt. Zion CME Male Chorus and Bro. Joshua Hall prayed for provision (food). At this point in the Prayer Breakfast the people had caught True Love for the Lord. Bro. Eric Finch said the words of welcome. Prayer for the Lord’s Word was prayed by Johnny B. Thomas. Then, Brother Rod Ross introduced the Guest Speaker: Overseer Calvin Daniel. Remarks and Benediction from Rev. Larry Threatts, the Host Pastor. Outstanding and Resourceful.

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to the MLK Day committee for hosting an Honor Day for MLK 50th Anniversary at Bethlehem Baptist Church where W.T. Edmondson is the Pastor.

**YOURS TRULY is a Zeta Phi Beta. The honor is always due to Royal Blue and White. I grew up in Montgomery, AL and in college at Alabama State University. I came through it “all”. I was blessed with 36 years of work (teaching). My first job was at Mississippi State University at the beautiful lab school in Elementary Education. It was great!

UPCOMING EVENTS of Georgia: Georgia Legislative Session begins- Jan. 8. Professional Teaching and Learning Conference- January 26-28. Register: www.gae.org/2018pticont, Savannah, Ga. February 1, 2018 Black History Month, Feb. 22, 2018, GAE Day at the Capital- Register:www.gae.org/gae-day-capital  Speak to your legislators on issues facing your community schools and what’s impacting public education in Georgia. Location: James H. Sloppy Floyd Building.

THE FLIGHT Path of Georgia’s Spelling Bee… Become involved and help support and or run the county bees. Deadline: February 9, 2018, Deadline System Spelling Bees, February 9, 2018, Home School Multi-Association Spell-Off. Clip your dates to remember: know and GAE. February 24, 2018- 10:00 AM. GAE District 1-9 and Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) Bees. March 16, 2018- 11:00 AM. GAE State Spelling Bee- Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Plains, GA. May and June 2018: Scripps National Spelling Bee. Visit www.gae.org.spellingbee for more information. Special Congratulations to both of you of “know and NEA”.

**THE PASTOR, Rev. Larry Threatts of St. Stephens CME Church, Valley said in his announcements that Youth Day Celebration will be Sunday, January 28, 2018. The Guest Speaker would be Miss Tanisha Bre’Toria Sands. The Granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery and Mae Finch of the River View Community. She is a graduate of Fort Valley State University. Come and enjoy the Annual Youth Day Celebration.

ONLINE ELECTION Notice, The Georgia Association od Educator’s Upcoming Elections will take place online at www.GAE.org. Election #1: January 15-February 15, 2018. The GAE Retired Delegates to the GAE Representative Assembly. GAE Retired members are eligible to vote for GAE Retired Delegates to the GAE RA. The elections end at midnight on February 15. Please note the election results will be published online at www.GAE.org by March 1. Election #2: March 1- April 1, NEA Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly GAE Fund for Public Education District Members. Election ends at midnight on April 1. How to cast your vote online, voting is quick and easy. Go to www.GAE.org, click the GAE online election symbol, vote ballot must be received no later than February 1, ballot for retired delegates must be returned to GAE post marked by February 15. Ballot requests for election 2 must be received no later than March 1. Questions call 678-837-1100.

HELLO READERS know you can step back with your recalling age, when the Old Fashion comedies or characters community helpers. Characters in the funny papers were designed many times as community helpers. In our youth, there was a hound dog named HuckleBerry Hound. HuckleBerry Hound played comic pants, etc. His attire was a huge bow-tie. Bow-ties were stylish in these days. HuckleBerry Hound’s huge bow tie reached far beyond his front shoulders, designed with blueberries. The berry design meant engaged in advertising. HuckleBerry Hound was always busy with no time to lose. When others in the community called HuckleBerry Hound for help he always answered, “I got a job to do” He kept his trotting movement and did his job.

LISTEN TO what Georgia and GAE have to bring a new life with political advocacy. Also work on and donate to your legislators reelection campaigns especially if your elected officials are friends of Public Education. Nominations now open! Professional development opportunities. Join them abroad the GAE Schedule journeys.

WE PAUSED to share condolences in the loss of a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The father of Rev. Desmond Scaife, Sr., of Opelika, AL, at Valley’s Nursing Home. Specialties to his family in its entirety. We will keep you all in our prayers. May all families in bereavement have brighter days.

PLEASE CONTINUE to pray for the sick and shut ins. May all of you have speedy recoveries

HAPPY BIRTHDAY blessings are due to: Linda Burton, Jan. 16; Donishia Phillips, Clayton Gibson, Jr., Jan. 17; Jessica Monroe, Norman Glaze, Tim’Vontae Walker, Shane Franks, Jan. 18; Debera Floyd, Rakim Cooper, Margrett Madden, Jan. 19. Sammy Newton, Javieon Murphy, Jan. 27; Ella Louise Jones, Rylee Ledbetter, Jan. 31; Constance Wright, Lucy Walker, Melanie Madden, Attorney Sherry Legar, Feb. 1. May all of you have many more.

SPECIALTIES TO all high schools that have continue to keep the cities entertained in basketball games. They are working hard. Support your local team.  Behave, be careful and be there!!

BE CAREFUL in the constantly changing weather.

HEALTH TIP:  wash your hands regularly, help wash away the flu and wear heavy clothes for cold weather.

THE HARD cold weather didn’t stop two teams from coming together for Basketball. Valley and Lanett. The children played real hard and looked good on both sides.

DRIVE CAREFULLY and don’t text and drive.

HAVE A good week.