Sophisticated Settings Lifestyle October 22 2016

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The Afro-American, October 22, 2016 - October 28, 2016

Bradley Via, Brian Via, Gen. Via, Linda Via, Mrs. Milley and Gen. Mark Milley, 39th chief of staff of the Army Gen. Via addresses attendees

Photos by Rob Roberts Gen. Via and Linda Via

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John Hawkins, Gen. Dennis Via and Edgar Brookins

Lt. Gen. (Ret) William Ward, Joyce Ward, Linda Via and Gen. Dennis Via

A special retirement ceremony, hosted by Gen. Mark A. Milley, 39th chief of staff of the Army, was held in honor of Gen. Dennis L. Via on Oct. 6 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. Family, friends, fellow soldiers and U.S. Army leadership gathered to bid Via farewell after more than 36 years of service. He is a native Virginian and a graduate of the Army ROTC at Virginia State University. Via is also the only Signal Corps Officer that was promoted to the rank of 4-star general, in 2012, when he began his last assignment as the 18th commander of the Army Materiel Command.

Gen. Milley gives Gen. Via a letter of accommodation for his service from President Obama

Linda Via receives a Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation from Mrs. Milley

Robert Wright, Gen. Dennis Via and Gen. (Ret.) Johnnie Wilson

The Ms. Veteran America 2016 competition, on Oct. 9, held at the Shakespeare Theatre in Northwest D.C. featured 25 women veterans from various military branches.

The theme of the event was “The Woman Beyond the Uniform”. Pageant contestants competed to raise funds for Final Salute, a non-profit organization founded by Maj. Jas Boothe that provides homeless women veterans with safe and suitable housing.

Capt. Molly Mae Potter, U.S. Air Force, was crowned as Ms. Veteran America.

Photos byRob Roberts

Lt. Gen. Mike Williamson, Brig. Gen. Richard Dix, Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, Lt. Gen. Larry Wyche and Maj. Gen. Phil Churn

Denyse Gordon, Allania Guiton, Tiye Young, 2nd place winner, Molly Mae Potter, Ms. Veteran America 2016, Charlynda Scales, 3rd place winner, Kimberly Wolfanger and Kerri Turner Maj. Jas Booth, U.S. Army Reserves

Lamman Rucker and Lawrence O’Neal Command Sgt. Johns and Chiquita Pena, push-up competition winner

Marissa Strock, Iraqi veteran, double amputee below the knees and actor Lamman Rucker were the emcees

Sally Rejas, pageant contestant

2016 Finalist, Jasmine Cordova

Marissa Strock, Allania Guiton, Ms. Veteran America 2013; Kimberly Wolfanger, Ms. Veteran America 2014 and Kerri Turner, Ms. Veteran America 2015

Maj. Jas Booth

Yvonne Gordon-Owens and Denyse Gordon-Watts, Ms. Veteran America Emeritus 2012 Pageant contestants in evening wear

Pageant contestants

To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.

Tracye and Willow Weeks

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The Afro-American, October 22, 2016 - October 28, 2016

They screamed when the Beatles came to town. They rejoiced over the coed swimming classes with the Knights across the street. They plowed through record snow storms in the prerequisite skirts and brown and white shoes when buses failed to show up. They were crushed at the news that President John Kennedy had been assassinated. But they survived it all and came together Oct. 1 at Richlin Ballroom & Catering in Edegewood, Md. to celebrate the 50th year since their graduation from Baltimore’s Eastern High School in 1966.

From the ancient halls of ivy on 33rd Street and Loch Raven Blvd. to the Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood was a journey with a lot of joy and too much sadness as they also remembered their sisters who’d transitioned over the years. World

renowned jazz singer Brenda Alford sang and then teamed up with recent MacArthur Fellow, singer, artist, raconteur Joyce J. Scott.

More than 150 showed up to reminisce and take an abundance of selfies and to look forward to their next gathering.

Former AFRO Editor Dorothy Boulware with AFRO writer Jannette Witmeyer and MacArthur Fellow and artist, Joyce J. Scott.

Kathy Robinson, JoAnn Armiger Holbach and Carolyn Austin Smith

Sue Danz Costello, Barbara Snyder Barr, Susan Haslup Ruhl and Joan Fleming Prinjinski

Dale Parker Brown, Sheryon Green Mclean, Yvonne Moten and Karen Long

Brenda Alford, her sister, Sharon Alford and Lynda Byrd Logan Margaret Hubbard, Margaret Elizabeth Bell and Patricia Lynne Bell

Jazz singer Brenda Alford making everyone want to sing

Sandy Smith Barger, Eileen Patzwall Howe and Kathy Snead Hottel

Standing: Clara Cox Forrest, Mary Widomski, Phyllis Woods, Paula Gwynn, Carolyn Austin Smith and Alice Hawks Johnson, Seated: Yvette Burrell Young, Elenora Faulcon Houston and Helen Alford Photos by J D Howard

LaVerne Gaither, Donna Price, and Dr. Gina McKnight-Smith

The Links Foundation and the Patapsco River Chapter (MD) of The Links held its annual Denim and Diamonds bull roast on October 2 at the Martin’s Caterers Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, Md. Chapter members of The Patapsco River Links, dressed in black shirts with the Links logo greeted their guests who mixed and matched their finest tops with sparkles and rhinestones, and completed their look with distressed and ripped jeans, a casual but an elegant affair.

This annual event provides funds to benefit students in Baltimore County who depend on scholarships and financial assistance, and the implementation of integrated programs in the areas of education, economic development, and cultural enrichment in the lives of the surrounding areas of Baltimore County.

Robin Ott and Geanelle Griffith Harding served as chairs. Alice Cole is president.

Cylia Lowe-Smith, Corliss S. Alston and Grace Coffey

Nyree Wright, Alice Pinderhughes, Joan Pratt and Judge Yvonne Holt-Stone

Chandra D. Jackson, Kimberleigh De Laine and Ellsworth Jackson

Rita Turner, Anita Turks-Hunter and Laura Phillips Byrd

Karen Berkley, John Berkley, Helen McDonald, Evelyn “Chris” Cephas and Charles Cephas

Denim and Diamonds Bull Roast chairs, Geanelle Griffin Herring and Robin S. Ott

Alice Cole, president, Patapsco River Chapter, Dr. A. Lois De Laine, Emily Hunter and Evelyn “Chris” Cephas

Francine Stokes-McElween and Levern McElween

Dr. William Lupton, Monica McKinney Lupton, Karyn Riley, Sherita Thomas and Gerrod Thomas

Siblings Gabrielle Styles, Greta Styles, Gerred Styles and Genna Styles

Dr. Dallas Dance and Dr. Thelma T. Daley Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.