PIONEER AWARD—Gregory Spencer, chairman, board of directors, Hill House; Victor Roque, interim president and CEO Hill House, with Dwayne Cooper, right, Hill House Pioneer Award recipient.

The Hill House Gala was held April 16, at Carnegie Music Hall. Darnell Dinkins of the New Orleans Saints was the keynote speaker. Award recipients were Dwayne Cooper and Edna Council. Recipients as well as the keynote speaker received a framed photo from the Charles “Teenie” Harris collection.

Did you hear the one about the young man who took his iPod to school? I guess he was supposed to give up the iPod to the school security guard but decided he didn’t want to do that.

Wow, I wish a few security guards would roll on some people that I know who work with iPod buds in their ears and also wear them while driving. One of my favorite co-workers has buds in her ears all day. It drives me crazy. When ever you want to talk to her you feel like you’re interrupting her from her music. If you tap her on the shoulder she jumps out of her skin and then says she likes to be scared.

I don’t get it. I like to hear what is going on around me, especially when I’m driving. I would never wear them when I’m walking, who knows who could roll up on me and take me by surprise.

The ministers and their wives of several Clairton churches got together to strut their stuff in the name of unity during the Heavenly Fashion Show and Luncheon.

“This event was about all the churches in Clairton doing something together and coming together,” said Rev. Crawford James, associate pastor, Morning Star Baptist Church.

BRADLEY FLOOD and MINISTER ALICE FLOOD in their any given Sunday attire.

Committee member and lifelong Morning Star Baptist Church member, Robin Prince agreed with James.

“We wanted to do something fun that we could do in fellowship. We love to see our pastors and ministers dressed up and why not have them strut on the runway?” Prince said.

The show, which was held at the Ascension Auditorium on Park Avenue in Clairton, was a fundraiser for the annual Unity Picnic that is given by all the Churches in the city.

In this world of “what can you do for me?” Bon Ami Temple #49 I.B.P.O.E. of W. (Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World) took on the theme of “Is there anything I can do to help?”

In an effort to give flowers while you still smell them, on March 27 at the Olympia Banquet Hall in East Pittsburgh, three community leaders were honored. The 2010 entrepreneur award went to Dorian Harris, (franchise owner of Coverall Cleaning Concepts).

THE LOVELY LADIES OF BON AMI TEMPLE #49

The former president of the Hill House Association, Evan Frazier was recognized for Civic Service. Frazier is now senior vice president of Community Affairs for Highmark. For continued support to community service, Eleanor Anthony was presented the community service award.