Familyaffair newsletter

FALL - WINTER NEWSLETTER

MARCH 5, 2018

FAMILY AFFAIR NEWSLETTER

The root of a tree begins with seeds, water, and fertilizer that interacts with one another and produces this thing called “life cycle”. This life cycle becomes a “Branch” that is purposely formed.

Before you know it…a beautiful tree stands before you full of life and history……a “Family Tree”

IN THIS EDITION: Meet the Team!

Family Gatherings

Checking In Living thru Hurricane’s Harvey and Irma Collective Food Drive Family Giving Back: Food 4 Others/ People in Need Get Fit and Healthy with Natasha Frisk 2 Family Genealogies

Get In On The Big Family Vacation This Summer (July) In Sunny Florida!

Family History/Trivia No Shave November Making the Local Newspaper

……see more details inside

Joy and Pain Announcements: New Births /Farewells

Lamentations 3:22-23

PAST ‣ Just for Memories ‣ Lessons Learned ‣ Let Go & move Forward

PRESENT

FUTURE

‣ In the Moment

‣ Dream it, If you want it, make it happen.

‣ Live it to the fullest ‣ Make Plans for the future

‣ Set expectations

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22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness

FALL-WINTER NEWSLETTER

MARCH 5, 2018

Welcome to our new redesign Family newsletters!

Our goal with this newsletter is to make improvements in each edition while gathering and sharing family news. We welcome positive feedback from anyone who wants to share constructive criticism (cc). It takes a lot out of our time to put this together in hopes that you’ll enjoy it and will look forward to each one that we publish and share with the family. So please help us share some of your news with the rest of the family. Here’s our current team below, see why they have decided to join the Family Affairs newsletter committee team.

Angie Ford, creator of the Family newsletter, editor, and writer

I decided to do this because it took great joy out of my time when I helped my daughter, Monique a few years ago do one that was similar. I did the page layouts and editing on hers as well as write a few stories. It was fun, but it was time consuming and she later lost interest in doing it. So here I am, bringing it back, but in a more broader family base and with the help of other family members to give their inputs and thoughts into each newsletter. Since we all have busy lives this would be a great way to share family news and something you can keep as a memorabilia to pass on to your young ones. These are remembrance newsletters….“Keeping our family heavily rooted and bonded”

Donna Neal, writer & editor

Monique Ford, writer and editor

Cathy Brown, writer

Deirdre Brown, writer & editor

Natasha Frisk, writer

Family is truly a gift from God. I am thankful that He placed me with the each and every one of you. I wanted to be a part of this newsletter to ensure that we stay connected. Some of my best memories involve spending time with my family.

Daddy (John “Pete” Neal) loved his family and believed that we should all stick together and he passed those values on to me. Our newsletters are a perfect way to share and preserve our history and I know you all will enjoy!

When I used to write the family newsletters, I enjoyed being able to be a source of news that kept the family informed even when we would go months without seeing each other. I wanted to continue being apart of this committee because I want to be a voice for the teens and report or write on their news/issues.

Also I’m just looking to help contribute stories about our families to keep us all connected and in the loop.

At first I wasn’t too sure about joining the team because I’m not much of a writer. But as I thought about it and what the newsletter represents, I got more excited about joining. So, I said yes!

I believe this newsletter will be like a family reunion without physically having one.

It will be a way for us to share our family blessings, stay in touch and more importantly to show our LOVE to one another. So when you get a text, a FB message, or maybe an email from us asking for information. We’re just trying to share your happiness be there for you and pray for you if you need prayer. remember we’re FAMILY.

Joining the Family Newsletter is a way for me to be part of a positive, strong group of family members working together! My goal is to try and tap into my creative side as I try to improve on my writing skills. Most importantly I want to give back to our family with some positive info.

have the privilege to be a part of our family newsletter and help out with the Health section!

As you may know my background is Fitness and Wellness and owner of Fitness and Energy w/ Natasha Frisk. I want us all to be our best version of ourselves and full of energy, wealth and to be in a great physical state and mind. So starting the new year off with goals is a great way to jump right in but don’t set yourself up to fail. I want to talk about Starting Healthy Habits of self care and Healthy eating habits as well. writing skills. Most importantly I want to give back to our family with some positive info.

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Robbie Johnson; writer, research, editor Keeping up with family has always been important to me because I’ve always loved the comfort and bonds that I’ve created with many relatives that I know. Ever since I was 10 ears old, I’ve had a serious interest in family genealogy and history. So I make it my objective to let our family know where our true lots stem from as well as how important it is for us to all stick together a the generation(s) go on. I also make it my responsibility to keep everyone up to date about other immediate and distant relatives on certain topics as well. I am happy and honored to work alongside these lovely ladies/cousins for these awesome family newsletters to come. Hopefully it will give all of us the opportunity to connect/reunite with relatives who we’ve haven’t seen in years!

2017 Hurricanes: Our Prayers Were Answered by: Angie The end of our summer last year brought some nasty storms across the path of three of our family members with some serious life threatening hurricanes down South.

Otha Neal and Ellie (girlfriend) lives in Florida near Daytona. Floridians down south from Key West up through Ft. Meyers and Orlando area were advised to evacuate. Otha and Ellie chose to stay and ride out the storm. They were tracking it closely and felt that they would fine and put their faith in God’s care. Ellie checked in when she could on Facebook to let family know their status. They got minimal damage in their area.

Nicky and Stacey Brown The state of Texas got some devastating damages in parts of of the Houston area from Hurricane Harvey. Thankfully where Nicky and Stacey live they got minimal flood waters compared to other areas in Houston that was severely flooded. Stacey said they were fine and everyone was okay.

BTW, Angie had a chance to speak with Nicky during the month of October and November and he’s doing very well. He sound really good and he’s enjoying his new life in Houston, TX.

Terez Brown-Jackson (Frannie’s daughter) and her family lives in North Charleston, SC and ended up getting the remnants of Hurricane Irma as a strong tropical storm that pushed through a lot of rain, heavy winds and power outage. She lost power for 12hrs in which it keep her out of work for 2 days and the kids out of school. Terez reported that her mom, Fennie was fine.

She had minimal damage in her area with a short power outage

Thank God for keeping each of these families safe from the 2 storms that had everyone concerned for Texas, Florida, USVI and Puerto Rico. #2017hurricanes

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Annual Family Gatherings It’s long over due and with the unknown days, weeks, months, years that lies ahead where we don’t know we our maker will call one of us home, we should faithfully start up annual family gatherings. Be it over the summer, fall or during a holiday…it should be something that pulls us all together as one. Several family members have made numerous attempts to host family gatherings, but tend to the same repeaters show. I’m not sure what that means, but we all need to do better and make every effort to try and attend even if its only for short time. We have so many generations within our family genealogy / circle and each generation should know their roots, how they’re connected, and allow your children to see and know another side of their family that right here in the DMV area. The majority of our family is basically all right here with in short miles apart and we can’t even put old differences aside and come together annually to build a new loving foundation of respect, love, and family unity. We had those days years ago and with the loss of many humble and grounded legacy from each side (like Aunt Annie, Grandma Patty/Joe Brown, Pete Neal, Shirley, Catherine Wooden just to name a few) who kept us all in tack with each other. If one of them were to call you personally (you know which one) and asked or begged of you to come out and spend time with family at a BBQ or party we wouldn't even hesitate with a “I’ll try”. We would be there. Whether we like it or not, God chose you, us to be a FAMILY (mother/father, brother/ sister, aunts/uncles, cousins/close friends).

Let’s get this annual family gathering started this year. I actually have one planned for the summer as a family vacation (see more about that on page 8), but I know several will not be able to make it. We can plan another summer event at a park or do a fall event when it’s not so hot. I think heat is one cause that keeps some family members from attending, it’s simply too hot and too many bugs. This is something we can vote on going forward, however I’m planning on organizing a Fall Fest outing in South Riding at the Amazing Fun Farm in October. They have a big picnic shelter (no grills) and plenty of fun activities for all.

Give it some thought and consideration, it would be GREAT to see a lot of us all together as one where we can laugh, have fun, reminisce and enjoy that moment.

Food 4 Others: Giving Back to those in need

family Facebook page when we plan on having this outreach event to see who is interested in helping out with the cooking, set up, and serving the homeless.

Looking for volunteers to help out with our family outreach this year.

If you have some old shoes, blankets, jackets, etc. that you want to bring and see if anyone may need/want them, that would great as well.

We’re heading up a food drive campaign this year to help stock the Food Pantry for families in need over the Summer and Winter seasons. Volunteers are needed to drive to family homes to pick up their non perishable food donations and drop it off at one central location (a family home). Cathy Brown will come by to pick up the items to deliver to Food 4 Others to add to their pantry.

We would also like to organize a family Feed the Homeless event this year as well where we will prepare chili or spaghetti, go set up at a homeless shelter and serve the homeless. This is a great way to introduce our youth to those that are less fortunate then we

Your POC for this outreach is Cathy Brown if you should have any questions or ideas that you would like to share.

Send Cathy and email at: mscatbrown@gmail.com

Frisk Family giving back: We help package 10,000 boxes of food for those in need in our community.

Today I among other parents were able to show our kids that in order to grow, help, and better ourselves we must help those in need. GREAT JOB Frisk Family!

are and show them how people across the country live.

Cathy will post at least 2 months in advance on the

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Getting FIT and HEALTHY with Natasha Frisk

5 Healthy Habits to Start 1. Stretch your body to wake up.

According to the Mayo Clinic the benefits of stretching in the morning include mental release and relaxation, relief from muscle tension and greater range of movement.

Stretching is a great way to wake the body up, move the blood, and gets your heart pumping. Find easy stretch such as: Side Bend Touching your toes Chest and Back round and release.

2. Drink a glass of water first thing when you wake up.

Water will wake up your metabolism, help keep you hydrated, helps your body flush out toxins, gives your brain fuel, and will help you feel fuller longer after your meal.

3. Unwind Read a book Take a walk. Write down your thoughts.

Or seat in silence. Any of these will help you to relax, release any stress or tension and be mindful.

4, Eat before 8:30pm Plan to finish your meals by this time so when you go to bed you will wake up not bloated or lethargic. Going to bed on an empty stomach will help you sleep better, wake up hungry so you will know your hunger cues. Sleeping on a full stomach will add in more stress to your body and will have your body working when it should be rest.

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Be mindful of you. Love yourself.

There is no perfect body. We are all different. Never judge yourself against someone else. Find what works for you and makes you feel you’re very best.

Hello everyone! 2018 is up and moving and I have the privilege to be a part of our family newsletter and help out with the Health section!

As you may know my back ground is Fitness and Wellness and owner of Fitness and Energy w/Natasha Frisk. I want us all to be our best version of ourselves and full of energy, wealth and to be in a great physical state and mind. So starting the new year off with goals is a great way to jump right in but don’t set yourself up to fail. I want to talk about Starting Healthy Habits of self care and Healthy eating habits as well.

Whenever there is a new year we all have those new year resolutions like: • Losing weight • Exercising more • Being better organized • Being better in our finances

Looking good in a swimsuit….. And so on. While these are all great and achievable goals, we set ourselves up by starting to big and then we sometimes fail. Try to pick one goal, or start one habit and continue that for 2 weeks. By starting this way you will have better control and be more consistent in achieving your goal. When you make a list of 10 or more most of the time we can’t finish it because we lose focus, get burnt out, get frustrated or just give in and give up.

I say keep the list, but do one at a time. Master one goal/habit at a time for 2 weeks, then pick another one off your list, but keep doing the first one as you add on another one. Make it simple and easy. We live in a time where we are always rushing or wanting more time to do it all. You can do it all but one at a time.

So to this new year I say keep the list or the resolutions but pick one goal/habit to work on for 2 weeks first then once you have master that move on to the next.

Make this year all about you, health and mindfulness. www.fitnessandenergy4u.com

Try the 14-day Clean Slate Challenge with Natasha Frisk of Fitness and Energy. For more information, contact Natasha directly through

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Highlighting ourFamily Heritage

Getting Deep into Our Roots researched by Rob Johnson

SIMMS, Henry (born 1832) Henry Simms is know to Robert (Papi) Simms and Aunt Annie Simms as their grandfather. Back in the late 1800’s Henry Simms was know as one of the only blacksmiths listed in the Town of Herndon as one of the first official census, 1880 to be exact. He was also the first African American in the Town of Herndon to own a business.

The birth of Henry Simms is still unclear to this day, This photo is theSimms Family Blacksmith shop. Unsure of the men in this photo but the census believes he was born between 1832 and 1845 in South Carolina. He married Nanny and Papi’s grandmother, Ann “Annie” Morton in Herndon and she gave birth to 15 children. George Simms was one of the children they had who is the father to Robert and Annie Simms. Now we know where Nanny got her name from, her grandmother.

Henry Simms bought land in the Town of Herndon when it used to be called Dranesville in 1878 for $75. For the younger kids reading this, $75 may seem like nothing, but back then that was a lot of money. The lot of land was in Herndon on the corner of Elden and Jackson Streets which is now Jiffy Lube. When you drive by there, remember it was once owned by our ancestor, Henry Simms and he sold it it for $500 making profit off of it from when he originally bought it. It was said in the Herndon census documents that you can find more information on Henry Simms and his family. Three of his sons also practiced blacksmithing.

Knowing a little piece about your roots, family history is like feeding your soul where you have a sense of understanding and appreciation of our family before us. For without them, there would be no us. Take time to know more about our ancestors and share what you find to include in our family newsletters, Getting Deep into Our Roots section.

- Angie

GENERATION I

FUN Family Trivia

in remembrance of Dranesville

Name: Henry Simms // Birth: 1832

Do you know all of these nicknames below that family members gave one another?. Put it on the Family FB page if you know it:

Father: unknown // Mother: unknown Spouse: Simms, Annie (not Nanny)

Bozo - Bucky - Stokie - Mikey - Wine - Chuck - EC - -Leen - Uncle Fester - Buns - Newt - Truck Reefa - Uncle Boobie’s first name is? - Gus PeeWee - Bugga - Joe Boy - Joe - Trouble - Buz Melon - Karots - Plunky - Bip - Piper - Nub Shorty - What did Steve Cartwell love to wear in the summertime? - Rev. Snipes would call Nanny what name?

Children: Simms, George T b.1868 Simms, Eliza b.1869 Simms, William b.1870 Simms, Rebecca b.1873 Simms, Nora b.1875 Simms, Clarisa b.1878 Simms, Nettie E b.1880

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GENERATION II SIMMS, Annie Marie T 1908 - 2003

SIMMS, George T 1868 - unknown Married: Julia Simms

SIMMS, Robert William 1908 - 2003 Married: Margaret Simms

SIMMS, Bertie Oct 1888

SIMMS, Lottie V Jun 1890

SIMMS, Isabella Jul 1892

SIMMS, Maggie L Aug 1894

SIMMS, Herman H Feb 1897

SIMMS, Clarence Jun 1899

SIMMS, Nettie 1902

What’s in their DNA • African American • Mulatto • German

SIMMS, Garfield 1905

Great Grandparents and GreatAunts/Uncles to the Johnson’s, Wooden’s, Neal’s, Ellis’s (Generation III). To Be Continued in our next issue (Spring).

REMEMBERING DRANESVILLE: If you lived and visited Dranesville during your life time; you’ll remember some of these times, names and phrases ‣ Nanny’s homemade biscuits ‣ Horseshoe (Pete and Boz) ‣ Volleyball games (Bobby Neal lived for them weekends) ‣ Stray cats (Shirley) ‣ Walks to the 7 Eleven and gas station for snacks, drinks, beer, cigarettes. ‣ Weekends to gather and let the kids run wild in the open field. ‣ Cookouts and Summer Holiday BBQ’s ‣ Birthday celebrations / wedding one two ‣ Don’t sit in Papi’s favorite chair ‣ Kerosene furnace/heaters ‣ Old Wood stove (hidden fried chicken) ‣ Kickball, Red light/Green light, Red Rover, Dodgeball, Football, SPUD, Double Dutch games ‣ Rides on the back of Papi’s truck ‣ Cherry tree and huge Holly tree ‣ Collected recyclable glass for candy

‣ Front porch, cool breeze

‣ Summer short shorts and tube tops

‣ Back-porch where the ladies gathered

‣ Softball games at Dranesville park down the road

‣ Small Baptist church across the field ‣ Pretend school days with Nettie and Carolyn on the back porch. ‣ Rollerskating and Skateboarding on the sidewalk ‣ Hearing the MF word from the Neal brothers (lol) or Black B’s

‣ The spot was, “the Kitchen” ‣ Water well

‣ Dancing outside on the front porch after church service has ended and the cars were gone.

‣ Who knows about them Fur Burgers (lol).

‣ Nanny’s Baby Dolls that were not to be played with or the horses. ‣ Renee GouLay and AUNGYYY (Pete)

‣ Basketball down the hill after volleyball games

‣ Played until darkness came in and caught lighting bugs ‣ Lou Johnson - Holy Ghost spirit (prayers in the kitchen) ‣ Thought Nanny and Papi were married (husband and wife) ‣ Paps shed out back/ cut wood

‣ Chasing Fire Trucks

‣ Where’s the BEEF????

‣ The blunts and beer section at the picnic table where the big tree was near horseshoe

‣ Hush hush hush hush

‣ One bathroom in that big house ‣ The telephone./dining room area

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‣ Shirley’s SWEET TEA in the big white bucket. McDonalds stoled that tea idea. ‣ The big Red Toy car them kids fought over all the time.

‣ NO CELL PHONES

‣ Quiet / Silence during storms ‣ Bobby Neal’s 4th of July fireworks

Look Who Made News last Fall in their Local Paper…….

Kevin and Deirdre Brown’s son, Darius is Dominion’s New Year Polar Bears Winter track star. A sophomore that’s very active in sports while maintaining his B average in school. , and was voted the President of the Youth Ministry last year and continues to be a leader to the youth ushers, teammates and classmates.

This season in track, Darius competes in the:

‣ ‣ ‣ ‣

Long jump High Jump 55m Dash 300m and 4x200m relay.

Christopher Trueheart making it look so easy in his flag football game at his local Rec Center. Dean and Toni Trueheart’s son loves to play sports. His talent along with many other kids that plays captures the local photog’s attention for their local paper highlights. For a lot of family members that didn't know, Toni and Dean adopted Christopher a few years ago and brought him into their loving home to raise as their. From the looks of this pic, he's doing very well and loving life. Congrats on making the local paper spotlight Christopher.

Who are the ‘Truehearts you wonder? Tony Brown’s oldest daughter.

JOIN US THIS SUMMER IN SANDESTIN FLORIDA

UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣

OUR First Huge Family Vacation away from the DMV area in the Sunshine State.

May 3rd: Khalyn Brown graduates JMU May 19th: Renee Ford 30th Bday Party July 4th: TBD July 14th: 2018 Family Vacation (Florida) Fall 2018: Family Give Back Event Fall 2018: Family game of Kickball

July 14 - July 21 (flexible in between if you can do partial of the trip)

Stay in Destin, Panama City Beach, or Miramar areas.

We have family planned activities for 3 days and then allowing the remaining days to be at your leisure. I mean it is your vacation too so get out and do whatever you and your family would like to do as an adventure or for relaxation. So get in on the fun and start booking your reservations and air travel.

Want to add/share events that your hosting? We will be ore than happy to add it in the family newsletter.…. please let us know so we can share.

Family Beach Volleyball, Brunch, Cookouts, Sightseeing, Family Night Fun (Pajama Party),golfing, fishing, and Jet Skis, Kayaking, and more

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NO SHAVE NOVEMBER (Men)

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During the Month of November these men participated in the No Shave November Cause. The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. Donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.

Joe Lincoln

Bryan “Bip” Neal

DaMani Neal

Kedrick Griffin

Eric Ford

Thank you gentlemen for participating in the awareness of cancer. We have or know of so many that’s fought, loss, won, or struggling with some form of cancer. When you stand and show support for causes and awareness like this it shows your heart on your sleeve. You all look Good!

SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL THAT CELEBRATED YOUR BIRTHDAY DURING THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER OF 2017.

ALSO TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATED THEIRS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. OUR FALL AND WINTER BORN BABIES.

Name our Family Newsletter Should we keep the newsletter title as Family Affair? We want to hear from you on title names. Post your idea on the family FB page and we will consider changing it. Make sure it's positive family fitting title with some meaning to it.

Deadline to post is: March 30th, 2018

BIRTH, ENGAGEMENT, CELEBRATIONS, & FAMILY DEATHS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EXPECTING A BABY

FAMILY DEATHS

Karen Brown-Griffin and husband, Kedrick are expecting their 2nd child (another girl) mid to late March 2018.

Sept 6, 2017: Lou Johnson received her wings.

71 years young

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Michael and Nancy Brown - 56th(Oct. 13) Daniel and Brandy Dove 15th (Nov. 15) Jerry and Sherry Wilson 32nd (12/5) Danny and Natasha Frisk 13th (12/23)

Do you know how powerful PRAYER IS? If you have someone you want the family to pray for, send their names and we’ll add them to our prayer list in the next issue.

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