The Rev. James A. Forbes Jr. and Bettye Franks Forbes will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary as they renew their vows along with dozens of couples who have been previously married by the reverend. The anniversary coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble, led by Bettye Forbes. James Forbes, who is the senior minister emeritus of the famed Riverside Church, the distinguished Harry Emerson Fosdick professor at Union Theological Seminary and the president and founder of the Healing of the Nations Foundation, is also a nationally known pastor, professor and spiritual leader.
Bettye Forbes has been a choral director in churches, public schools and universities for over 50 years. In 1979, during the reopening of the renovated James Memorial Chapel of the Union Theological Seminary, she formed the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble. The ensemble is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “preserve, promote and perform the music of the African-American religious experience through spirituals, anthems, hymns and gospels.”
The event, which took place at Riverside Church, began with a private champagne reception with hors d’oeuvres. That was followed by words of wisdom for sustaining quality marriages from nationally acclaimed marriage counselors Drs. Harville Hendrix and Helen Hunt.
Bettye Forbes presented the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble in its 35th anniversary concert, and the evening concluded with a reception in the South Hall of the church for wedding cake and light refreshments.
James Forbes, who married over 75 couples during his tenure as senior minister of the Riverside Church, invited those whom he married as honored guests of the evening, along with honorary co-chairs William M. Lewis Jr. and Carol Sutton Lewis, as well as Edward T. Lewis and Carolyn Wright Lewis, Bill and Judith Suzanne Moyers Nelson A. Rockefeller Jr. and Amy Taylor Rockefeller, and board members of the Riverside Church. In lieu of gifts, James and Bettye Forbes ask that you make a legacy gift to the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble at www.theebonyee.com.
Vera Moore Cosmetics is celebrating the opening of 50-plus stores with a celebratory gathering at the Duane Reade Look Boutique at 51st Street at Rockefeller Center on Thursday, June 19, 1-8 p.m.
Vera Moore has been at the helm of the cosmetic line for a number of years, building a line of cosmetics for women of all shades and colors. Featured prominently in the Duane Reade Look Boutique at select stores throughout the city, she has now reached a milestone, as the brand has become a makeup favorite, with its varied selection of beauty products. Beauty consultants and makeup artists will be on hand to recommend a proper skincare regimen, seasonal colors and the perfect foundation for you. Have food, meet others and receive a Vera Moore Cosmetics swag bag with your purchase of $50.
Guests recently enjoyed an evening with comedian and TV personality D.L. Hughley. The evening featured a cocktail reception, followed by a seated dinner, compliments of the Evelyn Douglin Center for Serving People In Need (EDCSPIN), who celebrated the annual Vision and Voice Gala: “Renewal Through Respite, Empowering Individuals in Need.” Held at the trendy City Winery, the gala raised money to support one of their many programs, as well as raise awareness of the organization itself.
EDCSPIN is a nonprofit social services agency dedicated to meeting the needs of a diverse group of individuals and families who are intellectually disabled and have other developmental disabilities. Currently, the organization is helping over 1,000 individuals and their families throughout Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan by providing them with services they otherwise would be unable to receive.
Have you heard, Jet magazine has gone digital! Wow, the end of an era. They haven’t exactly left us high and dry, as all your favorite Jet reading material can now be found at www.jetmag.com. While that’s great, whatever will I do while waiting on line at the grocery store?
Happy birthday, Stanley Nelson, Jill Nelson, Valerie Reeves and Raquel Johnson.
The Fellas gave the best summer luncheon at the Glenrock Yacht Club on what can only be described as a beautiful summer’s day. The cocktail reception was so scrumptious that attendees had hardly any room left for the main course, held in the grand ballroom. However, after a few rounds on the dance floor, with music provided by the Warren Daniels Orchestra—well, need I say more? I like the Fellas because they are a fun group and know how to throw a fun party.
Cheryl Wills took top honors in the shoe contest, even though the consensus was that all of the contestants had pretty legs. Proceeds from the luncheon benefitted the scholarship program, which awards several teens who are on their way to college.
The revelers in attendance included Paula Nailor; Toni Fay; Nola Whiteman; Jean Jordan, whose daughter Lisa landed a great job in Hawaii, “where every day is like a vacation”; BeBe Granger, whose daughter Alissa has moved to Washington, D.C., to attend graduate school at the American University; JoAnne Skeets; Theresa Manning; and Marlene “Bunny” Ledford, just to name a very few. Ledford is so busy these days, with a social calendar that is only for the strong at heart, that she’s made no plans for the summer; she’s just playing it by ear.
Making the rounds, I finally had breakfast at the Harlem Shake, and it was delicious. What I liked even better than the taste–and the fact that it had outdoor seating, and the pleasant service and the quick order–was the small portion; it was just enough. I was actually able to finish it all and get up and walk away without wishing there was someone to carry me down the street. I will be back.
Who won’t be back is Arsenio Hall and his late night TV show. I thought something was up, and it wasn’t looking good for Hall when his time slot was moved from 11 to 11:30 p.m. and he was replaced by “Seinfeld” (ugh!) of all shows—that was a slap in the face. I saw the episodes featuring Paula Patton; Prince; Earth, Wind & Fire and some other guests that you wouldn’t see on any other show. I really enjoyed the format, and the band was slamming. But let’s face it, some of Hall’s off-colored scenes really weren’t that funny. The funniest thing was when the jokes fell flat and Hall would quickly turn them around with comebacks that only he could do; that was hilarious. And another one bites the dust.
Until next week … kisses