Daytona Times - September 28, 2017

New date for Vibe concert in Deltona SEE PAGE 2

East Central Florida’s Black Voice

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DR. BARBARA REYNOLDS: DICK GREGORY’S INFLUENCE ON WRITINGS, CAREER PAGE 4

TWINS SHINE AT CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SEE PAGE 7

SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2017

YEAR 42 NO. 39

www.daytonatimes.com

Church’s funeral fee policy angers bereaved families Non-members have to fork over hundreds for sanctuaries and pastors.

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

When Asia-Lige Arnold contacted Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach last month about using the sanctuary for the funeral of her godfather, she was shocked by the answer she received.

First, the family would have to pay $650 to use the church

for the service. Then the eulogy would have to be delivered by the church’s senior pastor, Dr. Michael A. Chambers, for an additional $450.

It’s not unusual these days for churches – large and small – to charge funeral fees, especially to non-members. The church fee is totally separate from funeral home charges.

‘A shame’ Arnold was seeking to use the sanctuary for Dr. Dwyron Keevin Gillard Sr. who died on Aug. 26 at age 49. He was a former band director at Mainland High School

and Campbell Middle School.

Gillard, a Bethune-Cookman graduate, is credited with writing the university’s signature band song, “Let’s Go, Wildcats.’’

“We just would like to basically say that it was a shame that a pillar in the community would not be considered to have use of the church for the funeral,’’ Arnold told the Daytona Times. “How can the pastor eulogize someone that he doesn’t know?’’

Went to Allen Chapel Gillard’s funeral was held across the street at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church on Sept. 2, but Ar-

nold said the family had special ties to Greater Friendship.

“Greater Friendship had sentimental value to the family. The Gillards were married there 23 years ago. We were initially informed that we would have access to the church but when I called, I was informed … that they don’t allow non-members to have funeral services there.

Also...all costs had to include the pastor’s eulogy,” Arnold explained.

Got an apology She further stated, “The deceased son, Keevin Jr. was al-

so a former musician at Greater Friendship. He played there often and they considered him to be a member. One of their ministers did call me, apologized and gave accolades to Keevin Jr. She told me the policy had changed under the new administration.”

Tawana Hicks said her family was upset when her grandmother Beatrice Wyche, who had been a longtime member of the church, could not have a courtesy service at Greater Friendship.

Hicks explained, “My grandmother went there for a long time but she stopped going when afSee POLICY, Page 2

Church leaders seek cap on payday loans THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Piles of dead foliage are reminders that cleanup efforts continue.

Life after Irma getting back to normal Impacted residents, businesses can still apply for disaster assistance

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

Life for local residents and businesses was returning to normal this week.

Power knocked out by Hurricane Irma has been restored to most and government offices are back open.

Even residents and businesses who have applied for disaster assistance for the storm say they’ve received it.

Glad for the help

Restaurant damaged

LaKeisha Pierce lives in Westwood Height in Holly Hill. She was forced from her home temporarily but has already applied for and received FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) assistance.

“I was without power for nine days and the sewage was backed up. I ended up staying in a hotel for a while. I was approved for hotel assistance, rental assistance and miscellaneous assistance. I’m glad they helped,” Pierce told the Daytona Times.

Local Black businesses also are getting back on track.

The Crab Stop has two locations in Daytona Beach – on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and International Speedway Boulevard.

The International Speedway Boulevard restaurant, called Crab Stop II, suffered roof damage and water leaked inside following the storm.

“We applied for FEMA but they seem not to help businesses. They want us to get a small business loan from the Small See NORMAL, Page 2

Religious leaders Tuesday called on the Florida Constitution Revision Commission to move forward with a proposed constitutional amendment that would put a 30 percent annual interest-rate cap on “payday” loans.

Bishop Adam J. Richardson Jr. of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Jacksonville filed a proposed amendment last month with the 30 percent loan cap.

“Extreme financial harm is being done to Florida families by loans that trap them in long-term debt,” Bishop Adam Richardson said J. Richardson in a statement.

Individual payJr. day loans are limited to $500 under state law. But cap proponents say consumers often take out the short-term loans and are not able to repay them, resulting in a series of loans and an effective annual interest rate of more than 300 percent.

High fees A study last year from the Center for Responsible Lending found the average payday loan in Florida in 2015 was for $399.35, with $42.73 in fees. Assuming a 14-day loan period, such a loan could result in an annual interSee LOANS, Page 2

Earnhardt Jr. breaks with NASCAR; supports peaceful protests

BY GEORGE DIAZ ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./ HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Dale Earnhardt Jr. receives an award in July during the Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway.

ALSO INSIDE

NASCAR dare fire Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

NASCAR’s favorite son didn’t double-dare NASCAR officials to do so, but he certainly went against the sport’s traditional values on peaceful protests in the wake of the national anthem thunderstorm engulfing the nation.

Tweeted Junior: “All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests … Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable-JFK.”

Firing threat That certainly doesn’t fit in with the rigid mindset of the “stick to sports” theme in the NASCAR garage. Two well-known and respected owners, owners — Richard Childress and Richard Petty — told the Associated Press that anyone who would protest during the National Anthem would be fired.

NASCAR seemed to split hairs in an official statement issued on Monday, saying: “Sports are a unifying influence in our society, bringing people of differing backgrounds and beliefs together.

It continued, “Our respect for the national anthem has always

been a hallmark of our pre-race events. Thanks to the sacrifices of many, we live in a country of unparalleled freedoms and countless liberties, including the right to peacefully express one’s opinion.”

Most popular driver Earnhardt is basically in a ‘what me worry?’ mode anyway.

He is retiring from full-time Cup racing this season mostly because of multiple concussions sustained over the years.

He’s been voted the most popular driver in the sport 14 consecutive years. But he’s always been his own man who doesn’t quite fit in with NASCAR’s conservative-leaning culture.

On travel ban When President Donald Trump issued a Muslim travel ban in January, Earnhardt also stepped into the fray on Twitter.

“My fam immigrated from Germany in 1700s escaping religious persecution. America is created by immigrants.”

NASCAR’s base will likely reject Earnhardt Jr.’s sentiments on the anthem.

Their POV is more in line with what driver Brad Keselowski tweeted: “I can get behind trying to make the world a better place, Can’t get behind putting down others; kneeling clearly does both.”

COMMUNITY NEWS: PLENTY OF PRAISE AT PALM COAST CHURCH’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY | PAGE 3 SPORTS: VINCE CARTER’S LATEST GOAL: HELPING YOUNG KINGS GROW | PAGE 6

7 FOCUS

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SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2017

Vibe Band returns to Deltona Amphitheater

Human Services office hosting election

On Oct. 7, The Vibe Band returns to the Deltona Amphitheater as part of the city’s concert series.

Originally planned for Sept. 9, the concert was rescheduled because of Hurricane Irma.

The Vibe Band is a group of young singers and musicians from Central Florida performing Motown and R&B. Dee Henry, Shenina “Nina” Skyy, Stenza J. Saint Pierre, Dawn Jackson, Sebrinner Couch, Al Castor, Montez Garner, Fred Quarterman and Ed Muarry make up the band who will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Deltona Amphitheater, 2150 Eustace Ave. Admission is free.

Food trucks will be open for business at 6 p.m. No outside food or beverages will be permitted in the concert.

The Oct. 14 concert will feature local blues musicians, the Daniel Heitz Band.

For more information, call 386-878-8900.

Volusia County’s Human Services office will host a public election to fill the vacant position of a lowincome representative from New Smyrna Beach on the Human Services Advisory Board.

The meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at the Coronado Civic Center, 150 N. Pine St., New Smyrna Beach.

The public is invited to attend, make nominations, and participate in the election.

LOANS

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Business Association (SBA), but we’re not going to do that. We were down for a few days but we have loyal customers. We’re thankful for them,” owner Oliver Ross said.

Waiting for help The business also took a hit financially during the storm.

“We lost power and lost product from that Sunday to Thursday. They are referring businesses to the SBA. … We are waiting for an inspector to come and look at our roof. They haven’t come yet,” commented Selina Ross, manager.

Volusia assistance Volusia County residents with questions in response to Hurricane Irma recovery can call Emergency Management at 386258-4088 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

Assistance, debris and other Hurricane Irma recovery information will continue to be posted to www.volusia.org/pin, on Emergency Management’s Facebook page and Twitter @VCEmergencyInfo.

The debris hotline is 386-5075166 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Sunday.

Temporary residential debris reduction drop-off is from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily until Oct. 22 at the Tomoka Landfill, 1990 Tomoka Farms Road in Port Orange, and Old Plymouth Landfill

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Free debris disposal at designated landfills is available to residents. at 1991 West Plymouth Ave., DeLand.

Additional sites will open to serve Deltona, DeBary and Orange City.

Free debris disposal All Volusia County residents and small landscape-type businesses may bring Hurricane Irma vegetative debris only to these sites for free.

Residents must show proof of residency, small landscape-type businesses and a complete a form to drop off debris. Only vegetative (leaves, branches and cut trees) debris which has not been bagged will be accepted.

FEMA assistance Residents who sustained damage to their home due to Hurricane Irma are encouraged to register with FEMA for possible assistance.

Apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or call toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Those with 711 or video relay service may call 800-621-3362.

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and a TTY should call 800462-7585 directly.

Watch the scams Residents who are approached by someone offering to sign them up for FEMA

assistance for a fee should be reported to law enforcement.

There are FEMA teams in the area. However, they carry identification and never ask for a fee.

If a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opens in Volusia County, it will be announced and posted at www.volusia.org/PIN Residents needing computer or internet access to register for FEMA can visit any of the county’s library branch. If you don’t have a library card, a guest pass will be issued.

The library’s staff can assist with online FEMA applications but cannot discuss specifics on FEMA eligibility and assistance.

POLICY

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 539 George W. Engram Blvd.

Sanctuary capacity: 750 Cost to use: $650

Up to pastor, board

The Rev. Derrick Harris, pastor of Master’s Domain Church of God in Christ and president of the Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance, said his church charges up to $450. It depends on the family’s circumstances.

“Our church started from the back of the barbershop. We have always opened our doors for funerals, especially for most of the young men who have died to street violence,” he explained.

“My wife and I make the decisions at our church while others have to deal with deacon and trustee boards. My wife and

The Rev. James T. Golden, another A.M.E. Church leader from Jacksonville, said supporters have not found an amendment sponsor on the 37-member Constitution Revision Commission.

For the measure to advance, one of the commission members would have to nominate it and at least 10 members must support it.

The commission on Monday will begin deliberation on amendments filed by the public. Amendments ultimately approved by the commission will go on the November 2018 ballot.

Here is a look at some of the predominantly Black church’s funeral policies in Daytona Beach. The costs are for non-members of the churches.

ter her son passed away and she couldn’t have his funeral there. She kept sending money to the church through [a deacon]’’ “When she passed away, I called to have her funeral there but they told me that she wasn’t a member, but she should have been. … Our family was pretty upset.”

The Daytona Times made several attempts to reach Chambers, the senior pastor, but he declined to comment.

Depends on circumstances

Needs support

WHAT IT COSTS

from Page 1

The Rev. Nathan Mugala, senior pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, said he usually will charge a non-member for a eulogy. The board of trustees will weigh in on the process if he’s doing the eulogy.

“I’ll ask for a donation, but that’s up to the board of trustees. Now, if another pastor does the eulogy, it’s up to the family and that pastor,’’ he told the Times.

The church’s average fee for a funeral service is $500.

Arnold said she was pleased with the service held there for Gillard.

“Allen Chapel did a wonderful job. We thank them. The funeral had to have 800 to 1,000 people. The church and their other part was both filled due to an overflow,” she noted.

est rate of 278 percent over a year if it is not paid off, the report said.

“We are not anti-business, nor are we anti-profit,” said the Rev. Rachel Gunter Shapard, an associate coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida. “We are faith leaders who have seen up close and personal how payday loans trap people in our congregations and communities in a cycle of never-ending debt,” she said.

Shapard and other supporters of the cap said loans such as vehicle-title loans and consumer-finance loans are capped, but payday loans are not. The proposed amendment would impose an annual 30 percent cap on all loans.

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Dr. Michael A. Chambers preaches on Easter Sunday at Greater Friendship Baptist Church.

Alexander Wynn

Rev. Nathan Mugala

Rev. Derrick Harris

I also foot 80 percent of the expenses at the church, which includes the mortgages and lights. I personally have never taken a salary from the church and whatever we charge goes into the church,” he noted.

‘A new way now’ Harris also owns Cut Master’s Barber Shop on Orange Avenue, where he frequently works on Saturdays. If he has to do a funeral on a Saturday, that takes him away from the barbershop. That is taken into consideration.

The pastor said to cut some churches some slack due to the current financial landscape many are facing.

“Many churches are opening from Monday through Sunday just to maintain.

There are 259 churches in a 10-mile radius along MLK (Martin Luther King Boulevard), George Engram and the Mary McLeod Bethune corridor. So many are fighting to survive. Many don’t have the financial stability,’’ he explained.

“Eighty percent of people don’t go to church anymore. It’s just a new way now.

People don’t sit in church service all day long anymore. Many people have access to services through TV, radio and online.

People don’t sit as long as they used to nowadays,” he added.

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church 580 George W. Engram Blvd.

Sanctuary capacity: 600 (overflow capacity, 200 more) Funeral costs: $500 Master’s Domain Church of Christ 511 Fremont Ave. Sanctuary capacity: 500 (overflow capacity, 200 more) Funeral costs: $450 Hope Fellowship Church 869 Derbyshire Road Sanctuary capacity: 275 Funeral costs: $400 Note: The churches charge extra for use of kitchens, fellowship halls and multi-purpose rooms. Pastors and church executive boards may charge additional fees for the pastor to conduct the eulogy.

Chapel an option Alexander Wynn, director of R.J. Gainous Funeral Home, said families should take in consideration those separate church costs when planning a service.

The average local funeral is about $5,000. A funeral chapel is a consideration, which could help keep the cost down.

Gainous Funeral has a chapel with a capacity of 180 people and can accommodate an overflow of 120 totaling up to 300 people.

“A decent funeral can be that or even more. Then if you start adding things, it costs more and more. We can do one for $4,600 at Gainous,’’ he related. Wynn said extra features such as additional limousines can considerably drive up the cost.

Wynn added, “You can also have funerals at funeral homes, cemeteries, churches and chapels. We did two funerals at the funeral home last week. We have yet to use the overflow.’’

M A YNEWS OR

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2017 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

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First Church celebrates 25th anniversary with lots of laughter, music and praise Celebrating the 25th anniversary of both the First A.M.E. Church (First Church) and the Rev. Gillard S. Glover trumpeted a worship service with the bishop, the East Florida Conference of the 11th Episcopal District and other denominational churches and friends.

First A.M.E. members spawned a wellput-together service of excellent taste, giving God glory Sept. 17 at the church and a black-tie celebratory banquet Sept. 22 at Halifax Plantation Golf Club in Ormond Beach.

The service zoomed in with beauty in quality music from the First A.M.E. Choir singing, “How Great Thou Art,” “Lift Up Your Heads O Ye Gates,” “Anthem of Praise,” “Total Praise,” and other remembrances conducted by Nathaniel Shropshire III. “Somebody ought to shout, ‘Hallelujah!’” prompted Bishop Adam J. Richardson Jr., Presiding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. “Now you may get some more singing, but you won’t get any better singing than you’ve gotten here today,” he added.

Sermon: ‘Living Up to Your Name’ The bishop invited everyone’s attention to Genesis 2:19 as he preached “Living Up to Your Name.”

He thanked God for all the pastors and preachers, “especially Pastor and Mrs. Glover and your family,” he said, “and the fine people of First A.M.E. Church of Palm Coast as you celebrate a quarter century of ministry presence and pragmatism, the ministry of civic and social engagement, (and) a ministry of outreach touching the lives of thousands.”

The outworking of the anniversary had rendered the order of service to be conducted by: the Reverends Alton Coles, Godfrey Taylor, Latonya Floyd, Woodrow Leeks, Victor Cole, James McGriff, Cheryl Daniels, Alesia Scott Ford Burse, G. Vincent Lewis, Willie Williams, and Presiding Elder Eugene Moseley Jr.

Theme: ‘We Press On’ Moreover, First A.M.E. members enjoyed the bill of fare at the golf club – dressing “to the nines’’ and mindful of 25 years of dedication and service in a theme, “We Press On.”

PHOTOS BY JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY/ DAYTONA TIMES

Left to right: Diane Spears, Pastor and Mrs. Gillard S. Glover and Gillard S. (Tre’s) Glover III enjoyed the 25th anniversary celebration at Halifax Plantation Golf Club.

PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY

The program unfolded with Pastor Glover blessing the food - an entree choice of prime rib or shrimp stuffed with crab and lobster – and Director Shropshire introducing Carlos Felder on drums, Jarred Evans on keys, vocalist Alexis Williams, and sound tech Robert Brown.

Evening of inspirational songs The evening was splendid with laughter

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Left to right are the artists and back-up for the performance at the black-tie affair – Alvin Bell, Carlos Felder, Robert Brown, Drickus Horne, Alexis Williams, Nathaniel Shropshire III, Jarred Evans and Octavia Evans. and reminiscing the years gone by through guest vocalist Tasha Platt sensationally performing “Living My Life Like It’s Golden” and “Sweet Thing,” and talented Octavia Evans vocalizing, “A Natural Woman” and “You Really Got A Hold On Me.” It was such an exciting performance that First A.M.E. members swirled the table napkins in the air applauding the artists.

And then, Drickus Horne with style sang, “Cruising Together” and “My Girl.”

There also was a hot performance by special guest Alvin Bell singing the inspirational “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Wake Up Everybody” and “The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me.”

few can meet - who are: Pastor Gillard S. Glover, Rose Williams, Ruthie Saunders, Naomi Hargrave, Karen Griffith, Carolyn Able, William Mosley, and Nathaniel Shropshire III. First A.M.E. members would have totally erred after having been blessed with 25 years had they not acknowledged God. And so, the music artists sang and dedicated “Total Praise,” to our God who sits high and looks low.

••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted, the prodigal son, or daughter, and the bereaved.

‘Total Praise’ dedication

Birthday wishes to Rehanna Caldwell, Gina M. Robinson, Sept. 29; Horace Eubanks, Sept. 30; Rose Williams, Oct. 1; Micah Booker, Oct. 2; George Weaver, and Bloneva Scott, Oct. 3.

By God’s grace, the First A.M.E. members presented a fine 25th anniversary celebration achieving a standard that only a

Fire stations plan open houses Volusia County Fire Rescue will open its doors to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oct. 14 at its fire stations to highlight fire safety as part of National Fire Prevention Week, which is Oct. 8-14.

Residents can tour the stations, check out the fire engines, and see firefighters in gear. Firefighters will describe their duties and share information about the importance of having a plan to safely escape from a fire.

The theme for this year’s National Fire Prevention Week is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” Stations will be open at: • Halifax Station 11, 1580 Derbyshire Road, Holly Hill • Spruce Creek Station 12, 1979 Taylor Road, Port Orange • Halifax Station 13, 15 Southland Road, Ormond Beach • North Peninsula Station 14, 1716 Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach • Station 15, 3889 Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach • Station 18, 500 Rodeo Road, Ormond Beach • South Beach Station 21, 4840 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach • Oak Hill Station 22, 213 N. U.S. Highway 1, Oak Hill • Spring Lakes Station 32, 2850 Firehouse Road, DeLand • Indian Mound Station 34, 1700 Enterprise/Osteen Road, Enterprise • Lake Helen Station 35, 630 W. Main St., Lake Helen

Celebrations

• Osteen Station 36, 180 N. State Road 415, Osteen • DeLeon Springs Station 41, 5007 Central Ave., DeLeon Springs • Kepler Ridge Station 42, 1885 Kepler Road, DeLand • Pierson Station 44, 132 N. Fountain Drive, Pierson • St. Johns Station 45, 2580 W. State Road 44, DeLand • Glenwood Station 46, 920 Glenwood Road, DeLand Volusia County Fire Rescue serves the county’s unincorporated areas and the municipalities of Oak Hill, Lake Helen and Pierson.

For more information, visit www.volusia.org/firepreventionweek or call 386-7365940.

Flagler NAACP to present awards The Flagler County NAACP will present its Freedom Fund Awards on Oct. 7 at the Italian American Social Club, 45 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast. The event begins at noon.

Awards to be presented: • Outstanding Service to the Community, Shelley Ragsdale, president of the African American Mentoring Program • Outstanding Service to the Branch, Orlando Johnson, chair of the Economic Development Committee for the branch • President’s Award, Eric Josey, chair of the Legal Redress Committee for the branch Tickets are $50 per person and available by calling 386-446-7822.

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7 EDITORIAL

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2017

Dick Gregory prepared me to write about the seen and unseen The celebration of the life of Dick Gregory on Sept.16 at the City of Praise church in Landover, Md., was over seven hours of eclectic diversity.

It included a serenade by Native Americans, a musical tribute with Gregg’s daughter Ayanna and Stevie Wonder, speakers like MSNBC’s Lawrence O’ Donnell, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and fiery Rep. Maxine Waters, who vowed to help impeach that “thing” in the White House.

There were torrents of “hallelujahs” and especially “as-salaam-alaikum” as Nation of Islam head Min. Louis Farrakhan began a profoundly uplifting eulogy.

Varied life It was fascinating to see how a man born so far down in the cracks of society could rise so far: jailed countless times in the fight for human rights; 13 books written; a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame; movie roles; a celebrated humorist and global humanitarian.

Born in 1932 in the slums of St. Louis, his mother, Lucille Gregory, had to put plastic on her feet to keep them from getting wet as she walked to work. A White man knocked out two of his front teeth when he was 10 years old for touching a White woman as he shined her shoes. The family was chronically evicted for the inability to pay their $18 monthly rent.

Mentor and coach What kind of journalist would I have become if it had not been for Gregory becoming my mentor and coach for more than three decades as I tried to survive as a pioneering Black woman journalist in White newsrooms?

He was the one who pushed me to go out on a limb for unpopular people and for causes, even if the limb broke off; taught me how not to discount conspiracies just because it is safer to believe a lie rather than an unpopular truth; and how to look and expose the liars, the exploiters in high places, no matter who and where they were.

Should I state the obvious – how badly Gregory is still needed today?

Of course, following the Dick Gregory stylebook meant you wouldn’t have a job long. In some newsrooms, the reward for not toeing the company line, disbelieving that White is always right, and caring more for the masses at the bottom than the big shots at the top means a swift kick out the door.

REV. BARBARA REYNOLDS TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE

Clearly my understanding of the workings of certain institutions and government came from my coach Gregory.

It has left me well equipped to monitor and write about the Trump presidency and those to come – what is seen and unseen.

Looking deeper It was not unusual for Gregory to entice me to venture off to distant lands or to stick my nose into events that sounded and looked correct, but would turn out to be rotten to the core.

Gregory was a renowned health enthusiast who developed weight loss products, such as the Bahamian Diet, that were popular in the States.

In 1985, he developed a lowcost nutritional product to fight famine and took 50 truckloads of it to Ethiopia. I went with him and I saw hundreds dying from starvation in resettlement camps in the desert. I held in my hands five-year-old children so emaciated that they looked half their ages, and women so exhausted that they collapsed as they walked. The products he delivered saved many lives.

I began to understand that hunger and homelessness in a world where people are dying from obesity is criminal. It is not because of a lack of resources, but a lack of will, and the failure to hold governments – such as that in Ethiopia – accountable.

Gregory’s amazing success in Ethiopia did not get press in the United States. But he told me his mission was saving lives, which was all that mattered.

Constant laughter Even amidst such tears, Gregory could bring humor. On the way back home from Ethiopia, the plane stopped briefly in Rome and much to the surprise

Calling all faith leaders to unite We are truly living in a dysfunctional society. With the recent police killings of unarmed Black youth, something needs to be done.

Let’s not stop there.

High unemployment rates within inner cities affecting minorities and teens are definitely hurting the economy as well as the morale of individuals hearing “No” day after day. With so many issues plaguing minority communities, I’m issuing a challenge to every faith-based organization and institution located in the inner city, rural area, and suburbs to come together.

Put differences aside The challenge is to put aside faith differences and denominational practices and work together to make this world bet-

DR. SINCLAIR GREY III GUEST COLUMNIST

ter, not only for those of us living here in the present, but for our children’s children. Because we have so many religious and faith practices that are different, it’s easy to get caught up dealing with theological issues that cultural and societal concerns are neglected.

Yes, theological issues are important. However, if one really looks at theological issues, it should cause individuals and organizations to seek peace, justice, harmony, and equality. We should never expect the govern-

of his friends, he grabbed his bag and headed for the exit.

“Why are you getting off here?” I hollered at him. With a smile and a swagger, he answered, “Don’t forget I am an international nigger,” which left the rest of us laughing.

Dick Gregory was often shunned and slammed as a “conspiracy nut.” In time, he usually would be proved right.

Greg and I would often meet at some out of- the way place.

He would pull out his big battered brown briefcase jammed with reports and facts counter to what the news bosses wanted to see.

One day in 1996, he called me, “Barbara you know they murdered Ron Brown.” Brown was the first Black US Department of Commerce secretary. On April 3, Brown died in a plane crash on a mountaintop in Croatia along with 34 others.

“C’mon Greg, don’t tell me that. I am in enough trouble on my job,” I told him.

I knew news executives generally hated conspiracies. Besides, who would murder all those people to get at one man – even though Brown had been threatening to expose others in high places involved in illegal campaign funding, rather than taking the fall himself?

Heard him out Nevertheless, I met with Greg.

He showed me some disturbing reports. First, the New York Times had reported that Brown’s body was so mangled it would be virtually impossible to identify. Yet, Greg had a picture that clearly showed Brown’s body intact at the crash site.

Time Magazine had reported there had been a terrible storm that contributed to the crash, but later reports showed only drizzling rain.

Several investigators at Dover, Del., where Brown’s body was carried for examination, reported a circular hole in his skull that some forensic experts said appeared to be from a gunshot.

The x-rays which could have cleared up the matter turned up missing.

In addition, the manager of the airport where the plane crashed reportedly committed “suicide” before investigators could conduct an interview.

Still a mystery Whether Brown was murdered was never proven. Few if any news groups tried to get to the bottom of how he died.

Gregory and Rep. Maxine Waters planted yellow crime scene tape banners around the Institute of Pathology to highlight

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: ‘THE END IS NIGH’

RICK MCKEE, THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE

the case, and Gregory was arrested for refusing to leave the scene. I was also able to write several columns about Brown for USAToday. Several schools were named after Brown. And for many, that appears to be enough.

When the establishment would not budge to find the truth behind the assassination of leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X, Gregory wrote books to shame the system for their closed minds.

In “Callus On My Soul,” he told how “the brothers who shot Malcolm X were paid by the CIA,” who he said had rented the Audubon Ballroom where Malcolm X was murdered a week before.

In “Code Name Zorro: The Murder of Martin Luther King, Jr.” (with Mark Lane), he wrote how on April 4, 1968, Dr. King was murdered in a conspiracy between the Memphis Police Department, the Mafia and the CIA – which had a Black man planted on the balcony of the Memphis Lorraine Motel at the time of the shooting.

Unacceptable to mainstream The kinds of information Gregory unearthed hardly ever received major news coverage because his facts ran counter to the acceptable narratives of the news operations. Those of us who insisted upon using Gregory’s truths rather than that of the major institutions were viewed as untrustworthy and soon fell out of favor.

The Iran-Contra story, with my determination to ensure Greg received his just due, was the last straw that helped separate me from my job as a national reporter at a major Chicago newspaper.

In 1979, 66 hostages had been taken by Iranian revolutionaries who were threatening to kill them. Greg made his way to Iran

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that Americans can best lead the world away from racism and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person. The Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief...that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

Unfairly treated The Chicago Tribune ran the story for only one edition but pulled it in later ones. I was terribly upset by this because I knew if a White man had met with the ayatollah in the midst of such a crisis, it would have been major news. Eventually I wrote of his heroic venture in a cover story for Playboy magazine. Shortly after that, I was forced to part company with the newspaper.

On page 199 of Greg’s book “Callus on My Soul,” he wrote: “There is no better writer than Barbara Reynolds…She understands the way this government works and the trickery that comes with it.”

Clearly my understanding of the workings of certain institutions and government came from my coach Gregory. It has left me well equipped to monitor and write about the Trump presidency and those to come – what is seen and unseen.

Thank you, Mr. Gregory.

Dr. Barbara Reynolds is a lecturer at universities and seminaries, an author of six books, and a book coach. Contact her via www.reynoldsworldnews.com.

ment to do what we are capable of doing ourselves.

Next year on Nov. 8, people from all over will be casting their vote during the midyear elections. This will be the time when the American people can voice their opinion via the voting ballot on who should represent them in Congress.

No longer do we or should we sit back idly and complain about what can’t be done, when we have the power to make things happen.

Only people who choose to live in chaos and dysfunction will voice opposition.

Things to do

are available that can be utilized • Appoint leaders who can galvanize other leaders within the community to make a difference.

• Use social media as a tool to promote collective work and responsibility.

• Leave your religion at home, as Malcolm X said.

Dysfunction can become functional, if we are willing to make it happen. While I don’t approach this from a naïve perspective, I am confident because history tells us that progress can be made.

No longer do we or should we sit back idly and complain about what can’t be done, when

While there will hopefully be a rush to the voting polls on that day, we must rally together today to end the illness and injustice of unemployment and underemployment, crime, police brutality, red-line zoning, and poor healthcare, just to name a few.

Here are a few things we need to do to begin the process: • Have an honest dialogue with faith-based leaders and organizational heads within our communities to find out how we can work together.

• Discuss issues without pointing fingers.

• Determine what resources

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher

Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.

to pray and fast for the hostages’ release. The State Department and newsrooms were feverishly looking hard for an American who could talk to Ayatollah Khomeini.

When the ayatollah learned that Greg was in Iran and had fasted for peace during his fourmonth stay – losing 51 pounds – he invited him to meet with him.

Greg said the ayatollah thanked him for coming and prayed that the hostage crisis would end peacefully.

Greg called me from Tehran, giving me a first-hand report of this significant development.

Once the bombing and shootings in the background sounded so real, I literally ducked under my desk, thinking the noise was from outside my window.

Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Sales Manager

W W W. DAY T O N AT I M E S .C O M

Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources

Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members

Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Angela van Emmerik, Creative Director Cassandra Cherry Kittles, Willie R. Kittles, Circulation Andreas Butler, Staff Writer Duane Fernandez Sr., Kim Gibson, Photojournalists

MEMBER

Florida Press Association

National Newspaper Publishers Association

Society of Professional Journalists

National Newspaper Association

Associated Press

we have the power to make things happen. Only people who choose to live in chaos and dysfunction will voice opposition.

See the humanity At the end of the day, we must see and value the human being and overlook the color of their skin, the neighborhood they come from, and their religious affiliation.

Faith leaders must speak up and speak out.

Dr. Sinclair Grey III is a speaker, business trainer, writer, and success coach.

Contact him at drgrey@sinclairgrey.org.

Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, FL 33646, publishes the Daytona Times on Thursdays. Phone: 877-352-4455, toll-free. For all sales inquiries, call 877-352-4455; e-mail sales@flcourier.com.

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The Daytona Times reserves the right to edit any submission, and crop any photograph, for style and clarity. Materials will not be returned.

5 7

M ANATION YOR

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2017 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

FREDDIE ALLEN/AMG/NNPA

NNPA President and CEO Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. (far left) and NNPA Chairman Dorothy Leavell (third from left) joined researchers from Howard University and Pfizer officials to release a survey on sickle cell disease at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Poll focuses on perceptions about sickle cell disease

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA NEWSWIRE

A new poll about sickle cell disease (SCD), presented by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Pfizer revealed that while the majority of respondents were familiar with the illness, less than 40 percent realized that it disproportionately affects people of African descent.

The NNPA is a trade group that represents more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers operating in the United States. Earlier this year, Pfizer partnered with the NNPA to increase awareness about SCD in the Black community and to encourage greater participation in clinical trials for treatments involving the disease.

The groundbreaking poll also helped to dispel one of the longheld myths about the negative perception of medical professionals in the Black community.

‘Every patient counts’ The poll revealed that, despite

long-standing historical perceptions of mistrust in medical professionals by the Black community, 91 percent of respondents indicated that they believe health care professionals are trustworthy.

Seventy-nine percent of respondents had positive or neutral attitudes toward sickle cell disease (SCD) trials and a majority indicated a willingness to participate in future clinical trials for SCD, given appropriate knowledge and recommendations from health care professionals.

“Our core belief is that every patient counts, especially when it comes to rare disease,” said Michael Goettler, the global president of Pfizer’s Rare Disease unit.

“When you have a rare disease, often you feel lonely and your physician may not be able to help you.”

Limited research Goettler noted that the poll results provide a basis for Pfizer to seek more detailed assistance for sufferers.

Even though the greatest burden for SCD, the report said that

there’s limited research regarding African-Americans’ knowledge and thoughts about clinical trials that study the health impacts of the illness, the report said.

“These poll findings will give our readers an in-depth understanding of how sickle cell disease is perceived by AfricanAmericans,” said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA. “With this knowledge from the dedicated research team at Howard University, and through our collaboration with Pfizer, we can spur meaningful conversation and assess the best ways to improve disease education for those impacted in our communities,” Chavis added.

Dorothy Leavell, chair of the NNPA, said that she’s pleased to be a part of a group delivering “good news,” as well as the research that Pfizer continues to embark upon, on behalf of SCD patients.

Mostly affects Blacks SCD is a lifelong and debili-

tating disorder that affects red blood cells and it’s the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S. Most people who live with SCD are of African descent and the disease occurs in one out of 365 African-American births.

The median age of death for sickle cell disease patients in America hovers in the mid-40s, said Dr. Kevin Williams, chief medical officer for Pfizer’s Rare Disease unit. Williams also writes a regular column about SCD for NNPA, titled “Ask Dr. Kevin.”

Williams said that the insight form the poll will not only help researchers determine how to further enhance disease education and awareness, but will also help Pfizer educate SCD patients and their families about the importance of clinical trials in bringing novel treatment options to market for those in need.

741 surveyed

Education and awareness

The survey was conducted by researchers at Howard University, who made 31,934 telephone calls for the poll that was conducted between June 15 and July 15. A total of 741 individuals aged 20 to 70 living across the country, who identified as being of African-American ethnicity, responded to the survey.

The majority of respondents (79 percent) said they understood the importance of disease education and expressed the

Researchers and officials at Pfizer and the NNPA each said that they hope to continue to educate patients, family members and primary care doctors about SCD clinical trials.

“Close to 20 percent said they were unsure of how it was inherited and this presents a problem,” Adams said. “Because, if you don’t know how it’s inherited, you may be putting your offspring at risk.”

Chronic conditions more common in Blacks FAMILY FEATURES

GETTY IMAGES

The average life expectancy among African-Americans is 75.1 years compared to 78.9 years for Whites.

Steps to help you get a good night’s sleep FAMILY FEATURES

With overscheduled days full of early-morning conference calls and endless to-do lists, it’s impossible to avoid the stress that comes with working hard.

Hand-in-hand with all that pressure, a lack of quality sleep can lead to aches and pains, stiffness, sore muscles, tingling or numbness in your extremities, general fatigue, as well as an increased risk of getting sick.

Hours count According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night. In fact, a survey

by Mattress Firm showed a correlation between stress and those who receive less sleep than recommended.

Twice as many stressed people get fewer than five hours of sleep each night compared to those who are not stressed. What’s more, those who are stressed are five times more likely to experience insomnia at least once a month.

The proper amount and quality of sleep can have a dramatic impact on your life. If you’re stressed and experiencing trouble sleeping, these tips from the sleep experts at Mattress Firm can help ensure you’re getting

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke are among the most common causes of illness, disability and death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These chronic conditions and the factors that lead to them can be more common or severe in minorities, including African-Americans.

For example, African-Americans are 40 percent more likely than Whites to have high blood pressure, and the rate of diagnosed diabetes is 77 percent higher among African-Americans than Whites, according to the CDC. The average life expectancy

the rest you need to improve your sleep health.

Minimize technology use before bed The survey found that quality of sleep is negatively impacted because of stress-induced technology use.

For example, those who are stressed are 60 percent more likely to watch TV an hour before bed, more than twice as likely to post to social media an hour before bed, twice as likely to check email an hour before bed and more than 40 percent more likely to sleep with their phones next to their beds.

Ensure body gets adequate support What felt comfortable to sleep

need for additional current information, specifically regarding pain relief, clinical trials and progress toward better treatment or a cure.

“It’s not surprising for us that a majority of our participants understood and were previously aware of sickle cell disease,” said Dr. Terri Adams, an associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University. “The overwhelming majority understood that it’s a disease, a blood disorder.”

Adams continued: “There was a willingness to participate in [SCD] clinical trials, however, 82 percent had very or somewhat negative attitudes toward clinical trials in general, so there’s still a general mistrust in clinical trials.”

among African-Americans is also lower, at 75.1 years, compared to 78.9 years for Whites.

Personalized care

sional who will work with you to create a care plan.

• Coordination of care between your pharmacy, specialists, testing centers, hospitals and more.

• Phone check-ins between visits to keep you on track.

• Emergency access to a health care professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Expert assistance with setting and meeting your health goals.

Services like Chronic Care Management (CCM) can help people living with chronic conditions coordinate care services and lead to better outcomes and higher satisfaction.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary with two or more chronic conditions, ask your doctor about CCM and see if you’re eligible for connected care, including services such as: • At least 20 minutes a month of CCM services.

• Personalized assistance from a dedicated health care profes-

More resources

on eight years ago may not provide the support your body needs today. Your weight, pressure points, ailments, etc. can change over the course of time, so it’s important to check the mattress tag.

If it’s more than eight years old, it is time to replace it. Another way to make sure your body has the proper support and alignment is to figure out your sleep position and select the right pillows to support your body. This can help alleviate tossing and turning, and provide a more comfortable night of sleep.

cording to the survey. There are many food and drink options that encourage a good night’s sleep more than others, such as tryptophan-rich foods like dairy, nuts and seeds, bananas, honey and eggs.

Conversely, foods and medications with caffeine and foods with high-fat content should be avoided. The foods you choose are important, but also pay attention to the timing of when you eat and drink.

Even fighting stress with an afternoon espresso can affect your ability to sleep hours later when your head hits the pillow.

Find more ideas for relaxing and achieving better sleep at dailydoze.com, and follow #WorkHardSleepHarder on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Avoid nighttime snacking About 24 percent of extremely stressed people indulge in a snack an hour before bed, ac-

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Health Resources and Service Administration introduced the “Connected Care” campaign to help raise awareness about the benefits of CCM. The campaign has free resources, including an animated video that can help you learn more.

Talk to your doctor to see if CCM is available to you and visit Medicare.gov to learn more about the benefits of the program.

R6

7 SPORTS & CLASSIFIEDS

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2017

Vince Carter helping young Kings grow question after question,” Temple added. “ … It’s great to have guys like that to show these guys this is what it takes to make it this long in this league.”

‘A respect factor’ The Kings have 10 players with less than three seasons of NBA experience.

Carter is impressed with how the young players are already asking a lot of questions. Carter said rookie Justin Jackson, who also played at North Carolina, reached out during the summer as soon as Carter committed to signing with Sacramento. He’s been fielding questions from the young Kings ever since.

Carter is proactive about giving guidance as well.

“He’s not always waiting for them, he’s going to them and giving them information,” Christie said. “… And you’ve got to take in the fact that he’s a Hall of Fame player and there’s a respect factor. They saw him do it at the highest level that there possibly was.”

TOM FOX/DALLAS MORNING NEWS/TNS

Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) leaps in the air to save a loose ball against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on March 3. Carter grew up in Daytona Beach and attended Mainland High School.

BY JASON JONES SACRAMENTO BEE/TNS

Doug Christie remembers the first time he met a rookie from North Carolina named Vince Carter prior to the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season.

Christie was playing for the Toronto Raptors and Carter joined the veterans at Air Canada Centre for a workout.

“We played some threeon-three and he was open to asking questions and getting information,” Christie said.

Entering 20th year Carter, it turned out, al-

ways welcomed advice. He soaked up a lot of it on his way to winning Rookie of the Year.

Carter has remained inquisitive throughout a career that will almost certainly land him in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

But entering his 20th season, he’s also answering questions the same way Christie, Charles Oakley, Dee Brown and Kevin Willis did for him.

Played with superstars Christie had played with Hall of Famers James Wor-

thy and Patrick Ewing.

Oakley played with Ewing and Michael Jordan.

Brown had been a teammate of Larry Bird, and Willis played with Dominique Wilkins.

“They all played with superstars … prior to being on that team in Toronto. They’d all been around superstars and watching them do their thing,” Carter said.

“So it was easy to go sit with them and talk to them and learn the preparation of the game and how to be a pro, to prep each and every night for my matchup.

And I felt comfortable as a player immediately. Of

course I was thrown into the fire but my preparation helped slow things down.”

Questions for Carter It’s part of Carter’s job to slow things down for Sacramento’s collection of young wing players. But it’s not just the newbies who can benefit from an eighttime All-Star who is generally regarded as one of the best locker room presences in the league.

“I’m going to learn from Vince Carter on how to be a better leader,” said guard Garrett Temple, who is entering his eighth season.

“If I was a Buddy Hield, I’d be asking Vince Carter

than holding a clipboard.

“But never say never,” he said.

“I feel like in broadcasting I can still coach the fans out there,” Carter said.

“They all look at this game and say this and that, but I can break it down for them.

But at the same time, it’s going to sound weird, I enjoy coaching. I enjoy helping guys; I enjoy that part of it.”

He wouldn’t be the first broadcaster to get into coaching.

“Maybe when it’s all said and done you may see me sitting on the bench and say, ‘You said you didn’t want to do this,’ ” Carter said. “But as of now as a player, I enjoy helping guys and watching them grow. That’s what helped me catch on quickly … because of guys like Charles Oakley and those guys being in my ear all the time, preparing me.”

Lending his voice Kings coach Dave Joerger, who had Carter on his team in Memphis, welcomes his veterans to chime in with what they see on the floor.

Sometimes a player responds differently when it’s a peer rather than a coach drilling home a point.

“It saves my voice a lot,” Joerger said. “They see the same things I do. They’re proactive in coaching guys up.”

While Carter enjoys sharing his knowledge, he hedges at the suggestion he’ll pursue a coaching career.

More broadcasting?

Carter has done well as a television analyst in the offseason and sees himself behind a microphone rather

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7

M ASPORTS YOR

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2017 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

Hodges twins shine at Calvary Academy The seniors are key members of multiple teams at the Ormond Beach school.

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

Hope and Faith Hodges are excelling in academics and athletics at Calvary Christian Academy in Ormond Beach.

The 17-year-old twins, both seniors at the school, are members of the National Honors Society.

Faith boasts a 4.0 grade point average and Hope has a 3.6 GPA. They are key members of the basketball, volleyball and softball teams.

“It’s been amazing! I really love the school. I like being at a small school where teachers really care about you and you can get help from them. Sports wise, we really came for basketball but everyone on every team is like a family,” Hope told the Daytona Times.

Faith echoed, “You can get a lot from small schools. You are closer with classmates and have more access to teachers’ assistance. All the students mostly hang out together after school, especially us teammates.”

Excited about season The Hodges have helped the Lions’ volleyball team to a 5-3 overall record and 5-1 mark in district play.

Faith said, “It’s going well. I’m excited about this team. We have a good group of seniors that have been together for so long.

We are pushing each other hard. Right now, we’re second in our district. We’re doing better than ever and maybe we can win the district this year.”

The Hodges sisters also are key members of the Lions girls’ basketball team, which finished as the Class 2A state runner-up last season.

“Last year was amazing just being on the court.

We worked so hard to get there. Hopefully we can get back there this year. I can’t wait for basketball to start back up,” commented Hope.

Busy athletes In the spring, they will play softball for Calvary.

Faith noted, “I enjoy softball too. We’ve played since we were little. We stop for a while. We started playing again in high school, first through travel ball. I play catcher, first base and third base. I like being a utility player.”

Her favorite sport is vol-

leyball while Hope’s is basketball.

“I love basketball. I can’t really see myself doing anything else. I am a facilitator on the court. I am team captain. I am captain in every sport that I play. I play other sports because they are fun, but I like playing basketball most,” Hope shared.

Faith related, “I like volleyball the most. I’ve been playing since I got to Calvary. I like how everybody has to be doing something at all times while they’re on the court for the team to be successful.”

Fraternal twins They have both been playing basketball since age 5, softball since they were kids, and volleyball since they arrived at Calvary in the sixth grade.

People often take a double take when they see them on the same court or field.

“We’re fraternal twins but people still get us mixed up, even during games,” Hope said with a chuckle.

Career goals They may be twins but they have very different personalities.

“People say that Faith is the good one and that I am the bad one, but I think that we both have our good days and bad days. We have our moments, but for the most part we get along.

We have a very interesting, intriguing and happy story or life,” said Hope, who is the more outspoken one and is a cheerleader for the boys teams.

Hope’s favorite subject is history, but she wants to be an athletic trainer. She already has a received a basketball scholarship offer from Presentation College in South Dakota.

Faith’s favorite subject is science and she wants to pursue a career in forensic science. Hope already has a basketball scholarship offer from Presentation College in South Dakota.

Above: Faith and Hope Hodges get ready for some volleyball.

‘Proud of them’ Tracey Hodges, the twins’ mother, is the assistant basketball coach at Calvary.

“I think they are amazing young women. I love the way they carry themselves on and off the court,” Tracy Hodges told the Times.

“They have really progressed in school and sports. They work hard at getting better at everything. They give it their all,” she added. “Faith has bloomed into a good volleyball but you can’t tell that during the other seasons. Hope really has a love for basketball. I’m proud of them.”

Faith’s favorite sport is volleyball. Her goal is to pursue a career in forensic science.

This week’s top prep football games Pine Ridge (2-2, 0-0) at Seabreeze (1-2, 0-1): This is a big district game for both teams. Last year’s game was close and this one could be too.

Spruce Creek (4-0, 1-0) at DeLand (1-2, 0-1): This is another big district game for local teams. The Bulldogs will have a tough time trying to upset the Hawks. Creek played two games and won both last week.

Left: Tracey and Faith Hodges confer at the FHSAA finals.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ATHLETICS

Hope, shown playing softball, wants to be an athletic trainer.

Hope gets in good practice in a science class.

Flagler Palm Coast (3-0, 0-0) at Jacksonville Sandalwood (1-3, 0-1): The Bulldogs are off to a hot start but open the district on the road with a tough Saints squad.

University (1-1, 1-0) at Longwood Lyman (3-1, 0-1): The Titans are looking for another district win.

Mainland (1-2, 0-0) at Deltona (1-2, 0-1): Both teams have lost back-to-back games. The Buccaneers haven’t looked as formidable this season but they will still be a tall task for the Wolves to overcome.

Taylor (3-0) at Warner (1-1) (Monday, Oct. 2): This is a makeup game. Both teams need a win to earn points for the new playoff format. Both teams also like to run the football.

Prep Sports Seven Football Rankings 1.Mainland (1-2), 2. Spruce Creek (4-0), 3. University (1-1), 4. Flagler Palm Coast (3-0), 5. Taylor (3-0), 6. New Smyrna (2-1), 7. Matanzas (2-1).

R8

7TRAVEL

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2017

Maximizing joy on vacation Remembering to be grateful is crucial for staying in the moment and finding joy in your trips.

“When it comes to planning vacations, we get too focused on the stress of the details,” Achor said.

“Try to think about how lucky we are to travel and experience the world. When things don’t go your way, such as an inconvenient rainy day, see it as an opportunity to make your experience even more memorable.”

Putting yourself out there and engaging with the local culture can also be crucial for maximizing the joy of traveling.

“Once you’re on your trip, one way to increase your happiness is to go back to that social connection. Get out of your comfort zone and talk to strangers,” Achor said.

“Learning about different stories of people with different cultures than our own helps us realize and understand some of the cool simPHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES ilarities we share and interesting differences based on our backgrounds.”

Maximize the joy of travel FAMILY FEATURES

Many facets of travel – the anticipation, the experience and even the return trip – can enhance your mood. It can create an element of the unexpected and give you the opportunity to gain new, memorable experiences.

To explore the connection between happiness and travel, and what makes a destination joyous, Bank of America, Condé Nast Traveler and happiness expert Shawn Achor created “The Joy Index.” Achor delved into the psychology of experiences that awe people and the physiology of adventure to explain the relationship between joy and travel, and identified the 10 most joyous places in the world. He also shared the following tips on how to make travel attainable and maximize the joy of your vacations:

Predictors of happiness The Joy Index combined Achor’s studies on travel and happiness with existing research

from organizations, including the United Nations and Gallup, to identify six “happiness factors” based on the psychology of joy and travel: environment, wellbeing, culture, connection, adventure and wonder. These six factors, which encompass everything from weather to geography and local food to the friendliness of the culture, can have an impact on the joy experienced when visiting a destination.

While these factors may indicate how joyful a destination can be, the happiness you experience during travel and in everyday life must be cultivated rather than found.

“The three greatest predictors of happiness are gratitude, social connection and meaning,” Achor said. “If you have an amazing life but are not grateful for it, you do not have access to happiness. These three things scientifically improve happiness, but not just for a moment – they change the lens through which you view the world.”

Travel’s effect on happiness Travel allows you to discover something completely new and unique, which is why it can bring so much joy. According to Achor, the human brain craves novelty.

“The new experiences we have when we travel help us gain perspective and remind us that the world is bigger than our everyday problems,” Achor said. “Another reason why traveling makes us joyful is the connection we experience.

Traveling allows us to disconnect from our everyday lives and reconnect with the friends and family we are traveling with, as well as locals we meet along the way.”

One way travelers are honing in on experiencing this social connection is through embracing the sharing economy. According to data aggregated from Bank of America’s more than 40 million credit and debit accounts, the number of accounts making a home-sharing purchase increased 57 percent in 2016 compared to 2015.

We gladly accept Publix, manufacturer, and even select competitor coupons.

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Making travel attainable Achor stressed that happiness can be cultivated wherever you are, but if you want to get the most out of a vacation, planning is crucial.

“My research has shown that planning more than a month ahead can lead to happier, healthier and more productive vacations,” Achor said.

Even though traveling can help increase happiness, many opt out of going on trips because of the cost. This, too, is where planning can help.

One way travelers can start saving up for their next vacation is by using a travel rewards credit card like the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, which lets you earn points on all purchases that can be redeemed toward travel-related purchases. Your morning coffee and other everyday purchases can help get you closer and closer to affording a joyful vacation.

To learn more about The Joy Index, including the most joyful travel destinations in the world for 2017, visit cntraveler.com/joyindex.

THE MOST JOYFUL DESTINATIONS OF 2017 Happy places make for happy stays. According to “The Joy Index,” these are the top five happiest travel destinations for 2017.

1. Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada A perennial frontrunner in world happiness rankings, diversity and the grandeur of its natural landscapes, including the remote cliffs and fjords of Newfoundland and Labrador, are what set Canada apart to visitors.

2. Shanghai, China The city of 24 million is a mashup of formal and informal, modern and historic with visible signs of China’s history of tectonic change.

3. Aarhus, Denmark The European Union’s 2017 Capital of Culture, Aarhus is an architectural marvel and culinary hotbed with a cluster of talented, young chefs.

4. Madagascar Often described as the eighth continent, Madagascar is an unspoiled melting pot of cultures featuring deserts, baobabs, rainforests and 3,000 miles of turquoise coastlines.

5. Big Island, Hawaii Big Island’s sheer capacity for wild, natural wonder is the result of geological events that are still underway; Hawaii grows every year as lava from the Kilauea volcano cools in the sea.