Observing a New Year’s Day tradition of over 50 years, U. of I. alums and chums gathered at the Obama neighbor’s home of Jim Montgomery (of Cochran & Montgomery Law Firm fame) for a full day of football, billiards and cards.
áObserving a New Year’s Day tradition of over 50 years, U. of I. alums and chums gathered at the Obama neighbor’s home of Jim Montgomery (of Cochran & Montgomery Law Firm fame) for a full day of football, billiards and cards. Among guys embellished with an array of drink and an extensive menu — gumbo, red beans and rice, jerk chicken, greens, corn bread and peach cobbler (what, no black-eyed peas?) — were Rev. Dr. Leon Finney Jr., Jim Compton, Bennett Johnson, Prof. Bob Starks, Dr. Jim Buckner, Leo Frazier, “Pockets” Martinez, Charles Williams, Atty. Leo Holt, Dr. Delon Hampton and Sam Greenlee. Indeed a gathering of the eagles! ááá But black-eyed peas (stewed, hot and spicy!) did top the New Year’s Day menu at the Pill Hill home of Eveline and Frank Horton for their annual Open House. Guests (way too numerous to mention here!) thoroughly enjoyed the Horton’s hospitality and delicious bountiful buffet — shrimp, mini crab cakes, spanakopita, Greek-style chicken tenders w/grilled veggies, jerk chicken, baked ham, baked salmon, wild rice w/gungu peas, pasta w/marinara sauce, greens, holiday yams, mixed veggies, fruit and green salads, and a plethora of desserts: caramel, dirt, lemon breeze, three-layer milk and eggnog cakes; peach cobbler and sweet potato and pecan pies! Yummy, yummy to the tummy! The day’s highlight: Eveline’s game that awarded $50 bills to lucky guests! áááá Milestones – Happy b’day to Cook County Board President, Todd Stroger … Condolences to the family of a dear longtime pal, LeRoy Brown (“Brownie”), retired CVS teacher, who died last week of a heart attack while bowling with friends. Survivors: wife, Barbara; sons, Lance and LaMar; brothers, Reginald, Charles (“Sweet Charlie”) and Herbert; granddaughters, Leia and Lanae; other relatives and a legion of friends … Sorry to hear of the death of beloved journalist, Wesley (“Hotline”) South, 95, WVON’s iconic chair emeritus and indeed Black talk radio’s pioneer. Funeral is Saturday at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ áááá Newsy Names – Rev. Al Sharpton delivers the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sermon Sunday at Christ Universal Temple … Agis Bray is now in Northwestern Hospital’s Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago after suffering a stroke and undergoing surgery to remove an aneurism … Friends of Sylvester Baker, Cook County sheriff hopeful, host “Stepping with the Next Sheriff,” Thursday, 6 p.m., at Mr. G’s Banquet Hall … Gal-pals Claudia Walker and Musette Henley and 150 other vocalists, a 50-piece symphony orchestra and jazz ensemble “make a joyful noise” Saturday and Sunday at the Auditorium Theatre in Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and starring Rodrick Dixon, tenor; Alfreda Burke, soprano; and Karen Marie Richardson, alto. ááá On View – Bobby Sengstacke: The Fierce Urgency of Now, Photographs from the New World of the 1960s and 1970s, a free exhibit curated by Prof. Joyce Owens Anderson, opens Jan. 20 and continues through Feb. 26 in the President’s Gallery of Chicago State Univ.’s Cook Administration Building. Robert Abbott Sengstacke (aka “Bobby”), who has been a photographer for 52 years, and because of his affiliation with the Chicago Defender (his family, the Abbotts and the Sengstackes, have been owners of the African American newspaper), has had access to celebrities and every-day folk and has produced a significant body of work. His CSU solo exhibit includes select examples from the 60s and 70s. At the opening reception. Jan. 27, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Bobby will discuss his work. Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Visit, www.csu.edu; email owensart@yahoo.com or call (773) 995-3984.
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