Love poured on mothers at celebration

PORTSMOUTH — Senior group, Alive & Kicking (AK) got an early start with a Mother’s Day Celebration event held Friday, April 29, at the 14th Street Community Center in Portsmouth.

The gymnasium of the 14th Street Center was nicely decorated, as women from the local community kept coming in. Bill Knetter, president of AK, said the Mother’s Day Celebration is an expression of love to local mothers.

“We are having this celebration for all mothers in the neighborhood because we have Mother’s Day coming up to show the mothers that we love them. We’ve had a pretty good turnout this evening,” Knetter said. “It is always good to do something positive in our community. We got Alive and Kicking started just a little over a year ago, and it has been a lot of fun. I have a great group of people to work with. So that makes it even better.”

Knetter said AK will hopefully do something for the fathers in the community for Father’s Day next month.

Teressia Bowen, chaplain of AK, and mistress of ceremonies for the celebration, said it was all about paying special tribute to local mothers.

“We wanted to do something to honor mothers, but we didn’t want to do it during Mother’s Day weekend because most of the women in our group are mothers, and we are going to spend that weekend with our families,” Bowen said. “So, we wanted to do something this evening just to pay tribute to mothers to let them know how special they are, and just to give them some love.”

Women who attended the special occasion for mothers enjoyed dinner prepared by members of AK. Guests were also given treat bags, and door prizes were given out.

“I want to let the community know that as a senior group, we are trying our hardest and doing our best to serve the community,” Bowen said. “Whatever events we can think of that will benefit the community is what we endeavor to do. We will definitely be doing a lot extracurricular activities in the summer for the seniors, and we are concentrating on our community as a whole. Not black, not white, but as a community.”

Sarah Simmons, Hannah Simmons, of Cornerstone United Methodist Church, with their beautiful voices shared a musical selection. A very talented young lady, Heaven Jordan was present, and displayed her very talented dancing abilities. Evangeline Parker read a poem to the audience, which elaborated upon the love and wonders of motherhood.Special selections were also rendered by three gentlemen who have become affectionately known locally as, “The Elders,” Overseer David Malone, Elder Ralph Clay, and Elder Randal Lewis.

Members of the AK, with assistance from the audience also stood before the audience holding letters spelling out happy mother’s day, with each person expounding upon the letter and or letters given to them which compliment the beauty and significance of motherhood. The presentation concluded with a hearty, “Happy Mother’s Day,” from the AK members.

Special floral arrangements were given to Irene Dickey, who was the oldest woman present at the event, and three generation of mothers who were present in the person of Doris Carter, Romie Langford, and Monica Vaughn.

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Portia Williams | Daily Times Members of Alive & Kicking senior group spelling out ‘Happy Mother’s’ at the Mother’s Day Celebration held at the 14th Street Center Friday, April 29.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/05/web1_thumbnail_FullSizeRender-2.jpgPortia Williams | Daily Times Members of Alive & Kicking senior group spelling out ‘Happy Mother’s’ at the Mother’s Day Celebration held at the 14th Street Center Friday, April 29.

Portia Williams | Daily Times Members of Alive & Kicking senior group spelling out ‘Happy Mother’s’ at the Mother’s Day Celebration held at the 14th Street Center Friday, April 29.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/05/web1_FullSizeRender.jpgPortia Williams | Daily Times Members of Alive & Kicking senior group spelling out ‘Happy Mother’s’ at the Mother’s Day Celebration held at the 14th Street Center Friday, April 29.

By Portia Williams

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Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.

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