“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Hopefully all mothers have enjoyed a wonderful Mother’s Day, and now we look forward to Children’s Day and Father’s Day in June.

Mt. Zion AME Church

I would like to thank Rev. Herman Ford, Jr., and all the men of Mt. Zion AME Church in the Bloomingvale community for the wonderful dinner that they served to the mothers and all the guests on last Sunday.  Thanks to all the men of other churches who also served dinner to the mothers.  

And finally, a very special thank you and God bless you to Sister Angiel Grayson and the missionaries of Mt. Zion, Sister Joyce Nesmith, Sister Shirley Graham, Sister Josephine McCrea, Sister Sadie McCray, Sister Mamie Gamble, Brother Freddie Graham, and all the members of Mt. Zion for your wonderful gifts and cards of love on Mother’s Day.

The weather has been beautiful with the threat of a few thunderstorms from time to time, but we do need the rain, especially the gardens and thirsty flowers.  The beauty of God’s world comes alive at this time of year.

The birds are happy and singing, and my brother, Trooper Stephen Barr, his  wife, Katherine, and me, are getting ready for some exquisite fishing days.

There is nothing more relaxing than spending time at the old fishing hole, and it’s even more rewarding when you can reel in the big one (s).    

Safety hints

From time to time, I receive emails that I like to share with others, especially when it concerns safety with things we encounter more frequently than others.

One of these things is the common kitchen fire usually started from oil in the frying pan.  NEVER throw water on a  fire started by oil in the frying pan.  

The water, being heavier than the oil sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated.  

The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out.  

On the open field, where it was tested, it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembled a nuclear blast.  

Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fire ball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room.

Do not throw sugar on a grease fire.  One cup of sugar creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.

Bethel A.M.E. Church

You are invited to celebrate the 8th annual “Miss Ruby’s Kids” graduation on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church  at 417 Broad St.  Once you witness this heartwarming occasion, you will never be the same, and will want to return year after year.

Miss Ruby believed that our children are our future and worked towards making them the best that they could be.  Come out and help fulfill Miss Ruby’s dream.  Support our kids.

Prayer

Please remember to pray for the sick and shut in, the bereaved, those in nursing homes and hospitals, those in mental institutions, our law enforcement officers, our store merchants, our students and their various tests, our teachers, our sanitation workers, the elderly who live alone, and for each other.

May God bless you to have a wonderful weekend and a blessed upcoming week.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this column had information about treating a stroke with methods similar to a form of acupuncture.

That information was incorrect, and we appreciate a reader who brought this to our attention.

The Web site WebMD has a "Stroke Overview" section. Getting a person with symptoms of a stroke to a hospital quickly is important. Visit this link or better yet talk with your family doctor.

http://www.webmd.com/stroke/default.htm

Stroke Overview

Stroke is brain damage caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain. The signs of a stroke may include weakness, numbness, blurred vision, confusion, and slurred speech. Getting to a hospital quickly is vital for a good outcome with a stroke.