.' *’ f rifUpYl |Y) YPim bist A 1 fi I abviitibikb MIOIA I | I IN ™B LUCBATIVI A A A/ A BLACK M AIK IT . . “The [ nice Of The Black (acation. “I had a lot of time to spend with my friends, going outside to play,” she recalls. Rosalinde also spent a Jot of time playing with her Barbie < Dolls, which 8hows that much hasn't changed for little girls at play. Then again, sortie have. Remember when pummer was the time to hassle your parents about helping you make a stand and lemonade so ypu could set up in front of your bouse and brow wbeat your neighbors into buying cups of lemonade for a nickel? Well enter 3988. Now all .you need is a home Computer end a program called ^’Lemonade Stand.” “It shows you h-.w to set up the business and gives yovt the cost-profit margin." explains this well-informed ll-yitfev old. "I wasn't really interested in setting up a stand but it’s fun to play ’With/7Times have changed, haven’t they? Rosalinde also enjoyed play spg space games on her computer this summer. ■ Additionally, she went to the mountains and practiced her flute which she plays for her school’s band*** • * 5 But it is still back to school for a Saaii&flMiMliflHliM •T7*"!;.';. Prayer it a virtue that pre I vail* against all temptation* reluctant Rosalinde. She doesn’t mind the thought of continuing her classes in her favorite subjects which are math and science. Yet health, social studies and language, courses she's having a little difficulty with, she knows will require that she “study a little harder.” Once homework is out of the way, Rosalinde can spend time doing her favorite things like watching television; "Gimme a Break” is a favorite show; and listening to the radio, tuning into the sounds of New Edition, Force MD’s, and Run DMC. “I like the beat and the rhymes of rap music," Rosalinde tells. She also has a keen interest in gymnastics. Rosalinde watches the sporting events on ESPN. She’d like to take gymnastics one day. In her family, this week’s beauty has two brothers, Chris, nine, and Kevin, seven, plus one sister Tawana, 13. “Weall get along well.” I : Kosalinde reveals. "And 1 like having an older sister.” About her little brothers, she smiles, ‘They like to get on my nerves. ” There are several people Rosalinde greatly admire. First and foremost her father, Michael McClain, who she says, “Helps me with a lot of things.” Best friend Kisha is next on Rosalinde's list. “She’s someone I can tell my problems to,” she points out. Finally, she has a favorite teacher, Ms. Frazier. In her future, this young lady is considering pursuing a career in either law of nursing. “I like to help people,” she contends. Whether to help them with legal problems or health ailments is yet to be decided. Rosalinde is a member of First Mayfield Baptist Church, where her father is pastor. She sings on the Youth Choir and is a member of the Junior Usher Board. Dr. Ruth Westheimer ^ j ,V« t*V' have his first crush over a girl And surviving long enough to get his driver's license without the opera tion is only a pipe dream. Also, the chances that he will ever know the thrill of getting his first job is obscure. Virtually, the future is on hold for Lekeon It’s not that Lekeon needs a donor for the operation. His two year old sister. Tashanda, will be the donor for her sibling Where the problem lies is that when Lekeon was diagnosed with leukemia three years ago, his mother, Toni Davis had no insurance. And now John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, refuses to consider Lekeon for the operation unless the family can -ome up wUh«t minimum of $12,000. rtotatV.peration wih eos^V $150,000 ' - ^ .\eedless to say. Lekeon's mother is very concerned about where the funds will come from “Already the operation has been postponed When he had a relapse back in ‘April, that’s was when it was suggested •hat a bone marrow transplant be performed.” related Ms. Davis. Ms Davis is also concerned because she knows that the longer it takes before the needed money is raised the bleaker Lekeon's chances become. “I just pray that we get the money we need " Until the operation, however, I-ekeon and his mother, who reside in Mount Holly, take a trip to Chapel Hill's medical facilities every 10 days. There, Lekeon undergoes chemotherapy “Other than the weakness and the weight loss that Lekeon is bothered with, his spirits are pretty good.” A very typical seven year old lekeon loves to ride his bike and untypieally, he likes to read “Mr T is my hero," Lekeon assures, "and I also like Hulk Hogan and Dusty Rhoads ” What Lekeon doesn't like, he says, “is green beans and carrots and raisins." Other than that Lekeon assures that he eats everything He attends Pinewood Elementary School and is a second grader If not for his thinning hair and the tape applied to his chest which peaks over his shirt, there are no visible signs that Lekeon suffers from anything. Much less something as serious as leukemia He’s a lot luckier than a lot of Lekeon and Tashanda .Deal with crisis other children who are leukemia victims At least he has a good chance of survival, if the money comes in I-ekeon admitted that he some times wonders why he has leu kemia but that's not what worries him Not even the pending opera tion seems to upset him. “I'm not afraid." he valiantly replies. "I'm just concerned about how my sister will be." “He’s a very special boy." commented Ruby Alexander She is the first lady of Mt Moriah Baptist Church in Mount Holly, where the Davises attend “We pray that our prayers about Rekeon are answered." Her husband. Rev. Kenneth Alexander, informed that a group of concerned citizens would be forming an Action Committee for Funds on Saturday, September 6, at 6 p.m at Mt Moriah “We are also asking for the prayers of others that our efforts will be blessed by God, bolh financially and spiritually " But until the day comes when enough money has been raised for I/Ckeon's operation to take place, Ms Davis just has to wait “I handle 'he situation a lot better now than I did when I first found out that ‘•Pookie" had leukemia At first I was shocked It just didn't seem real Now I've learned to talk to the Lord because I know that He really is the only One who can help ” As far as Lekeon while they wait, he sure would love to have one of those talking animals that tells stories and jokps If you would like to help the Davises, please send your contri bution to any branch of BB&T Bank, in care of The Lekeon "Pookie' Davis Fund Please send receipt of deposit to Lillie Smith, Rt 1. Box 77 B Mount Holly NC 2R120. or call 704 827-9277 Parren Mitchell Opens Convention Baltimore, MD - “The gulf that separates black people is greater than the gulf that separates blacks and whites," Congressman Parren Mitchell bellowed in his keynote address to the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees 37th National Biennial Convention Mitchell delivered the address at the recent Public Meeting which opened the five-day convention at the Omni Hotel Mitchell challenged the 600 convention delegates and visitors in attendance to "dispel the notion that •here are gradations in the black community” and to renew their commitment to civil rights saying •he destiny of all blacks is exintric abl# linked. The Maryland Con gressman and candidate for U. Oovernor criticised those who are afraid to speak out against the “indignities being heaped upon blacks." The address was enthusiastically Pongrl«»man Parr mi Mltd»«ll .Cai««a Bratntmat. ckrm recdved The Congressman. a l<»ng-ftme fMeod «rf NAPPE the nation’* oldest Independent blade led federal industrial union, was introduced by NAPFEs former legislative director and lobbyist John W White In remarks follow ing Mitchell's keynote. NAPFE National President Robert L White said, The National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees will help to make Parren Mitchell the Lt Governor of. Maryland James McDougald, Division Manager Postmaster (Baltimore, MD) said he listened to the keynote address but felt a need to remind the audience, "We’ve got a business to take care of We've got to keep this postal service business going " McDougald spoke warmly of NAPFE and he indicated that NAPFE 202 members are helping to make the postal service live up to its motto. ’'This is a new postal service and we’re changing "