The Wendy's team had a blast golfing for a good cause. They were no Tiger Woods but they had a great time. The team joined a host of other local and national teams as they participated in the Sixth Annual Fellowship Open. The Fellowship Open is the largest event in the state of Wisconsin and has contributed more than $250,000 to "Youth Initiative Activities." (photo by Barbara White)
Cooking with Trulys!
The Dean Family: Dominique, Julia, Louis and Simone pictured at the Brookfield Farmers Market where the family held a demonstration of the delicious marinade seasoning. The family grilled prime rib that had been marinaded with their special sauce. Look for the full story in WEEKEND (photo by Barbara White)
by B. White
Holla!
Two hundred fifty-three thousand, five hundred (253,500) down 4,400 to go, I-Witness showing the beauty of Black People, our passions, compassion, intellect and Black Life in love one event at a time. Hey, 4,400 Black People to go and I-Witness and the "Milwaukee Community Journal" will have touched over 253,000 Black families in Milwaukee.
"Until the Lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter."--African proverb
***Attention***
The Million Father’s March is asking all fathers to take their sons to school on the first day of school. I-Witness thinks it is a wonderful idea. Many fathers across the nation will take off work for a few hours to put their sons in new directions, Moms it is a good idea for the men to go to school with their daughters on the first day also. It brings them to a completely new level of looking at education. Keep building strong families and advancing that next generation I love it! Salute to you Million Father’s March organizers.
"Correction"
This week I informed you that WISN 12 Co-Weekend Anchor DeMarco Morgan was named Journalist of the Year by the NABJ. I did not mention it was in the area of Community Service. This is even a better Journalist Recognition Award. Any body can do a job well but it takes that special person who puts passion in it and takes it out to share with the world to uplift. Again DeMarco the universe is yours dance in it baby dance, Congratulations!
Holla-Outs
To my favorite doctors, Dr. Wayman Parker and Dr. Goodman, and the two of you really know I am naturally 35, Holla!
My favorite girls over at Midtown Health Center Carla Keys and Nikila Higgins, Thank you for the coffee mug Nikila, I love it!
Clarence, Nancy and Candanice Miller my family from Chicago who always find away to visit their little sister, It was good seeing y’all.
Business Holla-Outs
Chancellor Collins of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation welcome to Milwaukee, I need to give my sistas a heads up on you. He is fine my sistas, single and new to our big old city. Thank you for the ink pens Chancellor every time I write you know I will be thinking of you, Holla!
To Pearl Cotton of WPC Creations who makes some of the most beautiful flower displays for weddings and special occasions.
Hey, Cheryl over at Brown’s Ham House, thank you so much for the earrings they are beautiful. When I wore them, everyone loved them.
Diane McSwain, James Youngblood, Gwen Coleman, Velma King, hey y’all stick ’em up, Holla! I had a good time with y’all over at Brown’s Ham House.
Alvin (Woody) Holloman who make sales his own polish sausage called Woody’s Mild or Hot Polish. They are carried in all the major grocery stores through out the county. Hey, Woody my favorites are the hot ones they are soooooo good, Holla!
Kenitra "Noonie" Dillon just Hollering at you gurllll.
Congratulations
I-Witness’ favorite twins Michaela and Melisa Copeland who are now attending MATC and will be entering the school of nursing. Hey, you two you know you are my favorites, keep advancing that next generation, I love it!
To: Maanaan Sabir and Stephanie Wright on their recent engagement. Maanaan and Stephanie are teachers at Carver Elementary School. The two will wed next year. Okay you two I am looking forward to the big day.
Bank Manager Ralph Simmons of Associated Bank in Madison, Wisconsin was just promoted to Assist VP. You go, Ralph, you know I love it! Congratulations.
Marissa Thrower, guard/forward on the Marquette University Basketball Team majoring in Communication. Go Marissa keep advancing that next generation, I love it!
Steve Adams and Thelma Sias who just celebrated 22 years of marriage, hey you two it sure must be nice to have someone to keep you smiling for 22 years, wishing you a hundred more years of pure bliss, I love it! Congratulations!
To newlyweds Jeff and Patricia (Currie) Jones who were recently married in Washington, D.C. Jeff Jones was the former legislative aide to Alderman Willie Wade who left to become the top assist to the VP for Disney in Los Angels, California.
Birthday Holla-Outs
Clara Smith, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday. I know your birthday is always a special day in the Smith house. On this day 14 years ago, you received two miracles and your two baby boys are still with you. Keep believing in miracles and have a great day.
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy day Regina Stevens.
Happy Birthday Kesi Mbalia Lumunba, Happy Birthday from your father Kehinde Mvata Lumunba,
Get Well-Holla-Out
Hey, Reuben Harpole just found out you were ill. You know you have to get well real soon whose gotta connect all the dots for us. Besides I need some information on how to dance in the universe and only you can teach me. Our prayers are with you, get well my friend get well.
Condolences
To Virginia Moutry and Family on the loss of your daughter Evangeline Denise Moutry who had just recently attended her class reunion. Evangeline was an alumnus of the "Class of 76" North Division High School.
Pssssst
Hey, y’all I want to put something in your ear. "MCJ" Kia Cook just got engaged to Davin Green, y’all should see the ring. I’m whispering because not even her mother knows yet. Hey, Kia you go gurlll, Davin seems to be a very nice guy. Wishing the two of you the best and lots of love.
A segment of "I’m on Fire" a gospel movie was shot at the Zanzibar Bar. It’s about the seduction by Satan to get people to kill the Sunday school teacher because of her faith to God. The husband and wife team Thomas and Janice Crump are the producers of the movie. They have been doing the performance across the country as a play but now have a request from the Marcus Theatre to make it into a movie. Demetrius Lee of G-Limits (God’s Limit) Productions shot this segment of the movie.
911
"Everybody is looking for a Hero"
September is not far and the memorials will begin for all those who lost their lives in the 911 attack at the World Trade Center in New York. There were many heroes on that day, yes, we will see them but most will not look like us (Black) even though many who look like us died being heroes also. I send my condolences to all the families who lost their love ones in this tragic assault upon this country.
While, we as human beings seem to always be looking for a hero, back in the day we looked upon our parents as our first heroes, we have gone as far as to make them up such as Superman, Batman who fight for and tried to bring goodness to all humankind. Today, we no longer have the traditional family or can look into our families for that hero that makes us dream, makes us do right, makes us do well. The hero that protects us even makes us want to be a cape crusader. Yet today, we are still aimlessly roaming in search of a hero.
Well I-Witness has found one--his name is Charles Laurencin of New York. He is the brother of Dr. Denise Laurencin, a family practitioner at Midtown Health Center.
Charles was 61-years-old upon his death in the wake of 911. Black People watched in horror along with the rest of the world as smoke, brick, fire, screams and tears filled the air in New York on that day.
Charles Laurencin, a Vietnam Vet worked for the Morgan Stanley Investment Company as a security guard stationed.
It was believed prior to the 911 attack an attempt had been made before to blow the Twin towers, with that information Morgan Stanley Investment Company who occupation 20 floors of the tower hired a former Vietnam Vet with the last name of Rackellar to do security and develop a security plan for them in case of another attempt.
It was Rackellar, who contacted his friend and comrade Charles to offer him a job. Both had served together in the U.S. Military.
Rackellar and his team designed and developed the security plan, each were responsible for a floor, Charles’ was the 60th Floor.
On the day, of the attack Charles had cleared his floor and was assisting others on the ground when his wife called on his cell phone wanting to know if he was all right. He told her he was, she wanted him to come home and he told her he would but he had to go check to see if every one was out the building, he would then be home.
Rackellar told the rest of his team to stay on the ground and help while he and his comrade (Charles) go and do one final sweep to make sure every one was out. Just like in Vietnam, where the two men served together. Again, they journeyed together through the fires of the jungle and it was here that they both died, doing what only soldiers understand, ensuring safety and protecting freedom as a human right.
They risked it all. Morgan Stanley Investment Company lost seven of their people in the attack. Many more were saved and safely left behind to tell the story of Laurencin and Rackellar giving life and becoming a hero to all Americans. When they went back into the building the pair did not stop to see if they were saving a Black, White, Green or Pastel person they went in to save a fellow human being.
The two left us with a powerful message that says "you must believe in something and if you truly want to live this beautiful life the Creator has given us then you must risk something because you have loved and have been loved, these two men showed us they loved human beings and they gave their lives proving it.
As you watch upcoming movies, memorials and other tributes on September 11 this year and if you do not see any Black people shown as some of the heroes in 911 do not sweat it Charles would not want us too.
We just need to tell our children his story on that day and show them a real hero who did not let color define whether you helped another human being in distress. Do not sweat that all the stories and heroes will be lily white. Even if they do not say his name, show his picture, or tell his story. Do not sweat it.
Truth has its own way of shining through and no one can stop its boldness. You see, today, we have recorded the real history, told not only Charles Laurencin story of being a Hero, we have also told the story of one of their heroes as well Rackellar who with Charles saved many lives of all races and are our heroes in Black and White cause they did it the way all of us have been taught to do the American way.
To: Charles Laurencin, Rackellar and all those who dared to give and risk their lives to help a fellow American. Atten---tion Salute!
The Sixth Annual Fellowship Open
The Wendy's team had a blast golfing for a good cause. They were no Tiger Woods but they had a great time. The team joined a host of other local and national teams as they participated in the Sixth Annual Fellowship Open. The Fellowship Open is the largest event in the state of Wisconsin and has contributed more than $250,000 to "Youth Initiative Activities." (photo by Barbara White)
The Sixth Annual Fellowship Open was held at the Silver Spring Country Club. Attorney John Daniels founded the golf tournment to fulfill his and the Daniels Family dream of helping children in our community by raising money to assist the many organizations in our community who work with children. The Fellowship Open is the largest event of its kind in the the state of Wisconsin and it has contributed over a $250,000 to "Youth Initiative Actitives."
Each year organizations are selected that have broad community impact on children. Over 30 major corporations sponsor the event. The overall objective is to expose youth to a variety of academic and other activities including visits to the PGA for academic challenges, seminars, etc. The open further recognizes people who provide quiet character leadership in our community.
I-Witness was invited to be a media celebrity at the Fellowship Open. Okay so y’all know I don’t know much of anything about golf, Holla! Many other folks from the media were also on hand, former WMCS 1290 Morning talkshow host Keith Murphy who also served as master of Ceremonies with WMCS 1290 talkshow host Eric Von, Morning show host Cassandra, Cassandra, blues masetro Phil Anderson, 98.3 Sales Director Roger Williams, Courier Communications Faith Colas and Laura Taylor, television talkshow host Troy Shaw of "Focus Diversity" and a host of others.
Our duties were to read trivia questions to all the participants at our perspective holes and if they get them right we passed out gifts to them.
Upon my arrival, I was greeted by Johnny Moutry and our driver Sam Henderson. I was taken to registration and given all my workings and a brown paper snack bag, which contained all kinds of little treats.
We headed for Island 4. Y’all know I-Witness never does the norm we sort of got lost in the falls but I like to think they were taking me sightseeing and I got a chance to see everybody who was there on both courses. And my sistas y’all know it I was in guy heaven and I knew this was going to be a good day, Holla!
The open was so big this year they had to use two courses, the Island and the Falls. Folks traveled from all over the country to play in the Fellowship Open. Over 288 golfers partook in the open.
I was stationed at Island 4 with longtime volunteers Sherry Tyus and Stephanie King both of the Law offices of Quarles and Brady. Island 4 was sponsored by LMM Strategic Marketing/Public Relations Firm. Our questions were on Rob Jeter, coach of the UW-Milwaukee Panthers. Rob Jeter was also the honorary chair of the Fellowship Open. Many of the teams played in groups of four but there were a few in pairs.
As we waited for the golfers to get to our hole Stephanie, Sherry and I chatted. Both of them have been volunteering for the "open" since its inception five years ago. Both showed pure pride at its gowth to two courses. Sherry says it warms her heart to see so many of our people in so many places and doing good things. The guys loved it and they had so much fun.
They came in carts as teams to our hole and they all were hilarious. Ralph Simmons of Associated Bank in Madison, Charles Benn, Coustary Barlow both of the Milwauke Urban League and WMCS 1290 Blues Masetro Phil Anderson. All were kind of trying to figure out some things at the hole, Holla!
Then there was the team for the Milwaukee Brewers Joel Dheru who was the real golfer among the group he birdied. Leonard Peace and Dave Tamburrino also of the Brewers, Anthony Brown of WHEDA in Madison, and Sports Talkshow Host Dan Kyle of WTMJ Radio. The trivia question was answered by Joel. Stephanie decided to test Dan’s sports knowledge since he was the sports’ host, the question was on Rob Jeter and he didn’t know the answer but I-Witness did. Joel had to give it up and say I was good, I loved it!
The next team was Ted Balistreri and Jim Thrower from Detroit, Michgan, who told me he was a y’all know one of those guys on the streets that women love, Holla! And he was fine, my sistas. Yes, Stephanie, Sherry and I could not help but do my favorite sport, (Guy Watching). Jim is a former player with the Philidelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions. He is also owner of several McDonalds in Detroit. He did look like he could play golf a little.
The next team was from UPS Mark Green, Derrick Hill, Myron Gray and Lawrence Lewis who was the birdie man.
My sistas you know I-Witness is having one they keep getting finer and finer, somebody fan me, Holla!
My good friend Roger Williams, sales director of 98.3; Lou Beauchamp; Brian Willaims; and Ruben Robinson of Bucy Rus International was the man with two birdies.
The Harley Davidson team consisted of Dan Mendon, Jim Brolley, Eric Walker and Harold Scott and they had the most birdies with 5. Harold was the man, he hit the ball on the light green. They were all giving him five so I figured he did something, Holla!
Hey y’all Black, successful, and handsome we loved it and these guys was making some girls go mmmmm, Holla!
Quarles and Brady had 4 birdies the team John Peterburs, Brian Lanser, Steve Smith who had us rollin’, he kept saying his name was John Daniels then Micki Barber started claiming he was Jack Daniels, that had us rollin’ on the grass. They were funny!
As you can see there were many law firms here represented like Michael Best and Friedrich. Lee Seese, Luis Arroyo, who had 3 birdies, Jason Smith, and Nate Cade who was too funny.
Reinhart, Boerner and Van Deuren’s team was Socrates Rivers, Chris Ware and Mitch. They had 1 birdie.
Pastor Darry Tucker and Ernest Eubank who were volunteers came over to check on us and we took some pictures.
Paul Matthews, Richard Lewis, Scott Elrod, our hole sponsor L. Maxwell of LMM and Leo Barber from PIC was celebrating his birthday big time and roaring like "Leo the Lion," we loved it!
Island 4 measured 168 and my sistas we were in guy heaven, Holla!
The Robert Baird Company team were made up of Keith and Maureen Kolb, Joanie Kelsey who hit it to the light green and Lynn Morrell. While Joanie was thinking she just might could be Tiger, Keith was hollering he was Charlie as in Charlie’s Angels, the were hilarious!
The Private Industry Council had a team David Wilson, Brian Foley, Attorney Don Roman from Atlanta, Georgia, Delores Graves and Jerry Roberts who stated not only did they have 4 birdies, but they also had 2 ducks, a turkey and Delores chimes in with and a budget chicken. They had us rollin’!
The Chicago Title Company team had 2 birdies. Shawn Cavin, Scott Langloia, Randy Scovill and Cindy Vica. Cindy know she thought she was Beyounce’ she had it going on!
Our favorites were team was from Wendy’s owner former Milwaukee Buck Junior Bridgeman. Andre’ Bynum, Tony Lockly, retired Principal Kenneth Holt and Dimitre Jordon. This team had us in tears. They had no birdies and we won’t count the number of bogeys they had but they were having a good time and they had us rollin’. Made us want to go help them out, holla! They were too funny!
Okay that was the last team and my good friend NAACP Vice President Tony Fikes has come to take me to the luncheon. Tony was a volunteer at the "open" and a big lover of golf. He too took me on a tour of the courses and explained to me the good holes.
The luncheon was also held at the country club and it was a who’s who. As the golfers played golf workshops were going on for the young people on various life topics. There was a nice spread, which even included pizza.
The young folks joined us for lunch. WMCS 1290 Talkshow Host Eric Von and Keith Murphy of the "Urban Journal" were co-master of ceremonies. Keith opened and said I am happy to be here to support organizations that are really making a difference in the lives of youngters. Sometimes we don’t realize that you can have a great time and make an incredible difference in the lives of youngters and our community.
Eric Von stated I have the great pleasure to continue another fine tradition of the open, which is honoring an outstanding member of our community. At this point he ask Alderman Joe Davis, School Board Director Jeff Spence who as children had been touched by the honoree, and then he asked former Milwaukee Brewer player Larry Hisle to come to the podium. Larry Hisle has also been dedicated to supporting children.
At his point both Director Spence and Alderman Davis escorted Mr. James Beckum to the podium. Mr. James Beckum is the founder of the Beckum/Stapleton Little League Baseball. He has been touching the lives of young people for over four decades and has molded the lives of the youngsters through sports and character development. Hisle presented him with an award for in his words "He has given to more kids than anyone I know, Mr. Beckum has instilled pride in all his players and he takes the time to make sure his kids receive the blessings of life.
Milwaukee Brewer Randolph PiPi also joined Mr. Beckum he also was one of his kids. Mr. Beckum as always was short and sweet. He thanked every one and simply said "I just wanted to give kids opportunities that I didn’t have. And baseball is great. And my baseball field is just like the field at Miller Park. He continues. As long as God gives me the strength to do, I will continue to provide opportuites to kids."
Attorney Daniels thanked Beckum stating that for everything that he (Beckum) has ever done this commuity can never repay him. He also thanked Darlene Austin for coordinating this wonderful event. Former Milwauke Buck Sam Williams was also recognized for the good work he has done with children.
Daniels thanked all the sponsors and presented this year’s award recipients with a check, Neighborhood Children’s Sports League-Earl Ingram, Beckum Stapleton League-James Beckum, The Word of Hope Ministries, Inc.-Dr. C.H. McClelland, Metropolitan Milwaukee Alliance of Black School Educators (MMABSE)-Dr. Roger E. Onick and the Milwaukee Tennis and Education Foundation-Jay Massart.
Mayor Tom Barrett addressed us. He stated that the Fellowship Open will assist in the Mayor’s Fatherhood’s Initiative MEUS to recruit 300 more mentors to assist the selected youth organizations. This intiative was started at this year’s African World Festival at the Frankie Beverly and Maze Concert.
Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton spoke also on behalf of youth initiatives as well as ReDonna Rogers.
Bill Coleman of the Accounting Firm Coleman and Williams.
Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Director of the Mother’s Daniels Center Billy Young, Cecelia Gore, Burger King Giant Valerie Daniels, was in attendance, as well as Tyrone Dumas, Hattie Daniels, Gerald Randall, I-Witness’ Mystery Man, the Council General from South Africa was also in the club, the children from the Journey House dressed in their Packer green and gold, The goal of the Fellowship Open next year is to serve 1,000 children, they served 600 this year.
The Fellowship Open Tournment winners. Yes, y’all Tiger was in the house but Tiger was a she none other than Linda Sowell of Gilibane Building Company and her team won first place on the Falls course. Sowell also won in the catergory of women golfers with a -56 under and that’s almost close to perfect. Jim Thrower, Anthony Brown, Ted Balisteri, Dalen Heitinze won first place on the Island course. They had tied with the Jenkin’s Family but had to play off for first place. The team at the 17th and 18th hole birdied twice to win on the Island. I really sound like I know what I am talking about don’t I, Holla!
A raffel concluded the luncheon and boy was there some good stuff Honorary Chair Roger Williams had Northwestren Airlines plane tickets to anywhere in the U.S., Georgie Hopkins won. Edith Austin won Midwest Airline tickets to Ceasar’s Palace to see Celine Dion.
Rick Bowers of the Bentley Car Dealership of Chicago, raffeled off a Bentley Umbrella, a Bentley Remote collectable car, a Bentley golf shirt and for the real prize a Tungsten Grey Bentley for an entire weekend, Charles Townsend won it. Hey charles don’t forget to pick me up, Holla! Now ya’ll know I-Witness didn’t even know what a Bentley was. But my sista’s I will tell you that Rick Bowers will make you go mmmm, Holla!
Honorary Chairs were Black Men from through out the city, they were given two gifts of cuff links one for them and one for their mentee.
There were many volunteers like Shawn Jones of Quarles and Brady, Crystal Hoskins of New Concepts, Andrea Djergow with Miss Black Wisconsin, so many I can’t name.
Down Home Blues Luau Style
It's a luau! The Annual Pig Roast Luau held Jamie Lee's Lounge was a big hit. (photo by Barbara White)
Jamie Lee’s Lounge hosted its annual Pig Roast Luau. I’ve never been to Hawaii but I sure felt like I was. The lounge was decorated everything Hawaiian hanging from the ceiling, the bar, all the tables had grass skirts and the bar was lined with real pineapples. Their were exotic flowers every where and the people well they were just out right Black Hawiians, Holla! They wore grasss skirts, leis on their heads and around their necks, the men thought they were really Don Ho with their Hawaiian shirts.
Jamie had a full Hawaiian spread a whole pig, crappies and blue gills, fried shrimp, a crab broil, chicken, roasted corn, salads, Strawbery shortcakes you name it they had it.
I joined my grade school friend Norma Howard, Jim Boling, Linda Reynald and owners Lee and Jamie Lowery. Jamie and I had an Alooha toast as D.J. Schukie and Kenney rocked the house. Imagine this y’all Black Hawaiians doing the jungle slide in their hoola skirts, it was wild and I loved it!
Many special friends came out to do the hoola with Lee and Jamie, Rosit Hooks, Barbara Tinsdell, Wanda Smith, Frances Lidell, Brian Cureton, Renee, Nikki, Tina and Oscar and the Chef Soulman Glenn.
D.J. Shuckie is bad y’all she pulled some stuff out on you and she knew how to talk that stuff. I thought she was a female Dr. Bop and she was smooth, Holla!
Okay, Shuckie is playing Jamie’s theme song "Cold Blooded"--Rick James. Then shuckie had all the guest chanting Jamie Lee’s Lounge got it going on, woo, woo, ain’t no party like a Jamie Lee party cuz at Jamie Lee’s the party don’t stop. Ain’t no dogs like Jamie Lee’s dogs woo, woo, This is how we do it. Do that thing, do that thing. It’s a party up in here y’all and it’s live and in living color, holla!
Jim and Linda are a party unto themselves Jim starts to howl and everybody in the place starts to howl it was hilarious. Lee has Jamie on the floor doing their love dance and she is backing up and I think she jumped a couple times, Holla!
Toni Banks, Tyrone Williams, bartender Nakia (Nik Nak) Brown was good, Kejuane Jefferson, Bubba are in the house. Okay, Miss Cold blooded is MIA now, it’s time to go home.
Hey, Lee and Jamie y’all know I had a good time, you just better be glad I didn’t have on my grass skirt because I would have hoolaed for you. Holla! Aloha!
Calling All Mississippians
Spider’s Lounge and all its neighbors hosted a Mississippi Reunion from Teutonia to 15th Street on Clark.
The reunion consisted of many fun things like a swing contest, pool and spade competition and the one I loved who can tell the Biggest Lie Contest, now that was funny.
There was all kinds of festival food Turkey legs, Bar B Q, etc.
Songtress Jeannie Holliday literally had folks dancing in the street, I loved it! DJ Malcolm also had them dancing in the streets with some down home blues.
Carol Minley who had just returned from Fort Pierce in Florida for the National Bikers Round-Up. She is a member of the MC Bufflao Soldiers as well as Brent (JB) Jordan. Jeannie’s mom Mable Moore and her dad M. Rogers who was in town from California were in the house.
Chef Raymone’ had a hard time with me about those Bar B Q turkey legs they were good. They sale them every Friday at Spider’s Lounge.
Folks had a really good time, families in the neighborhood had their families and guest over as well as other Mississippians came through. They were all having a great time.
Hey, Spider next year will even be better. I-Witness loves neighbor fesitvals. The festivals promote so much togetherness and neighborhood unity. It was a good thing.
