Irene, Barbara and Victoria

MARDI GRAS in Temple Hills, MD.
The Hillcrest-Marlow Heights Civic Association held a Black History Month program on February 18, 2010 where they featured the music of Black musicians and celebrated the Mardi Gras tradition. Barbara is a member of this organization and she served on the Education Committee that planned the Mardi Gras celebration. Please note the three above dressed in Mardi Gras colors (purple, green and gold) and sporting their Mardi Gras beads. Also a friend of the family, Elois Jenkins who is a native of New Orleans, provided a scrumptious New Orleans meal for all to enjoy. This was a great night!

CLIFFORD ELLIS -- 57 years old

Clifford, the fourth son born to Aunt Alice, passed on March 13, 2010. He lived in New Jersey and we were unaware of his illness. His daughter, Faith, followed his wishes and had him buried in the same place where Aunt Alice and his brother, Jimmy, were buried. May God bless Clifford's family.

'Beyond the darkness, light . . .
Beyond the sorrow, peace.'

MULTI-TALENTED THOMAS PENNICK

The picture above was taken as Thomas directed ‘The Backyard.’ This film was done in Los Angeles for Sebastien Dehi of the Ivory Coast in 2003-2005.

Thomas is --

A Poet
A Great Friend
A Writer
A Screenwriter
A Director
A Teacher
A Short Story Writer
A Film Editor
A Cameraman
A Philosopher
A Producer

Thomas received his BA from the Theatre Arts Department/Motion Picture Division/Specialty Screenwriting in 1971. He has been busy ever since with various projects.
CONGRATULATIONS, Thomas, for a life well-lived.

IN MEMORIUM - CYNTHIA S. JONES

REMEMBER -- 1967 -- VIETNAM WAR

Can you find Nicky (Johnson) among the crewmates on the USS Forrestal? He worked on the flight deck launching jet planes.


A narrative of the Forrestal fires written by Nicky follows - - - -

"We fought fires all the way from Gulf of Tonkin No. Vietnam to Subic Bay in the Phillipines. We fought fires all the way -- it took two weeks. Senator John Mccain was in a jet on the rear catapult when a sidewinder missile dislodged from his plane, shot across deck starting a number of explosions. If anyone wants more info, google USS FORRESTAL CVA-59. The fire -- they have pics and more info.

Here's something you won't read. There were gaping holes in the flight deck from our own bombs and ordinance. Out of 134 dead, we killed a substantial amout ourselves. Carriers are air tight and thats why its hard to sink them. Each compartment has a hatch that locks and seals in order to put fires out below flight deck. We could only put fire hoses down thru holes caused by exposions, consequently the crew members who were on night shift were sleep and were drowned. We'll never know how many. This was heralded as the worst naval tragedy since WW II. I'll leave out the two week gore-fest to Subic Bay.

One other major note: our cousin Harry Ellis was also on same ship in the marine detachment. When we got to Subic, I finally saw him in one of the smokey passageways. He looked at me and said, "They didn't get you!" God bless his soul."

This is a colorful trip down Memory Lane for Nick and an opportunity for us to understand a little of what he went through during the war.
Thanks, Nick!

LOOK WHAT I FOUND !

This is a picture of Aunt Alice (Ellis)when she was a young girl. I looked high and low for this pic when I did the Slaughter Family Album in 2007. It has finally emerged for all to see. Notice the strong 'dimple' legacy found in others of our family.

THE TURNER FAMILY IN AFRICA

Clarence (Rev. Butch) and daughters Clarice and Judia went to Kenya (Mumbasa and Taiti Hills) with the IAMS Ministry. They were among 13 pastors and workers from the United States that left on November 23, 2009 for this 13-day trip. This organization, International Alliance Ministry Service, has long been active in the building of schools and churches for the people in Africa.


There was a lot of preaching, teaching and fellowship done by Rev. Butch, Judia and Clarice. The people loved them all in a big way and they are still getting phone calls from Africa regarding the appreciation the people had for them. Of course, they had time for sightseeing and a safari.

They also had lots of time to enjoy the beautiful evenings in their hotel that overlooked the Indian Ocean. This was, indeed, a trip of a life-time.

Lamonte Clark (Before and After)

These are two shots of Lamonte (Monte) Clark, grandson of John (Nicky) Johnson (Aunt Bert's oldest son.)
The next shot shows him when he was a young boy in his football gear. Monte is now a 16 year-old Ballou High School student playing exciting football. He is being courted by several colleges already -- Notre Dame, Virginia, Penn State, N. Carolina, Maryland -- and Nicky is extremely proud of him. Nicky calls him, 'Superstar.'

Two great brothers - James and Bobby (Robert)

Rob was very excited about some of the pictures he received from James that had been taken over the years. This is one of his favorites and he just wanted to share this moment with you. I really like this picture too!

Greg's Fond Memories of His Mom and Dad -- Naomi and Willie Goff

Naomi -- A Young Woman

Newly-Weds

The Golden Years

Irene's three grandsons

Bruce Watkins(father -- Bruce),
Clarence and Michael Chase (Mother -- Michelle)
These are my only grandchildren, but I have a great granddaughter, Hope.
I'll post a picture of her later.

A Message from Nick Johnson

hi Slaughter family with special shoutout to our family pioneer ms. gaskins blazin' thr trail to unity
i wanted to share in these 1st 4 days of the year 4 blessings
1st the good Lord let me see this year
2nd he excited Irene onto this brave venture
3rd i'm reconnting w/family old and new and
4th the owner of my building called to tell me she would not raise my rent for those of us on pension and ss
we know the meaning of that praise the Lord
i am truly blessed 4 for 4 but who's counting
lets make honey out of Irene's beautiful gift to our family God bless us all

A proud mom and her children

Want you to see Sheri Saa and her two children, Malik and Kalila. Kalila is oldest and both she and Malik attend Massanutten Military Academy.
Notice the deep dimples in Sheri's cheeks, which are just like the deep dimples in Rob's cheeks, which are just like the deep dimples in Bobby's cheeks. . . Hmmmmm!

Congratulations, Danielle !

The top picture is the Dixon Family (Danielle, Barbara and Janel) at Danielle's promotion to sergeant in the Maryland National Guard (Greenbelt Armory.) Danielle received this promotion in October 2009.
The picture below is of Irene, Mama Cynthia and Michelle at the Award's Ceremony.

A Christmas Concert with James

Our Uncle James, a member of the Bowie Senior Chorale, is shown very happy after particpating in a wonderful Christmas concert at the Bowie Performing Arts Center. A full house enjoyed this presentation on December 18, 2009.

Pictured above is Micole and Mikea Turner (Bernice's granddaughters), Herbert, Jr., Uncle James and Rob.

Pictured also above is Bernice Slaughter, Barbara Botts and Aunt Angela Turner at the concert.