The Southern Pearl Newsletter^LLJ Volume 4^LLJ May 2023 Edition^LLJ 06182023A
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<strong>Volume</strong> 4<br />
<strong>May</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Top Ladies of Distinction ● <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter ● Quarterly Newsletter<br />
Presidential Reflections<br />
Inspirational Words<br />
Sisterly Relations<br />
Chapter Events<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
<strong>Pearl</strong> Highlights<br />
Comedy Corner<br />
A Sister’s Recipe<br />
Looking Back<br />
Teens are Tops
Presidential Reflections<br />
June <strong>2023</strong><br />
Greetings to my fabulous sisters of the <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction,<br />
Inc. As spring rolled in, the flowers were not the only things blossoming. This SPMD chapter<br />
also grew, not only with new members, but we positively expanded our footprint in the<br />
community. Our service has dramatically impacted the South Miami-Dade community. We<br />
must remain fruitful in spirit and work to continue providing quality choices for our teens and<br />
residents. We could not have been impactful without our committee chairs.<br />
To those that have served as chairpersons of committees, please accept my wholehearted<br />
gratitude for your efforts. We completed more than 80 events in our first two years of<br />
service! This chapter has done a fantastic job. To our officers, elected and appointed, thank<br />
you for your work. Your willingness to take on chartering a chapter and providing the<br />
necessary tools and guidance to get us through the first two years has been impeccable. This<br />
has been an actual group project! However, I believe our investment was worth it. This<br />
spring, we were able to attend our first in-person Area IV Conference. Our Top Teen Chapter<br />
was well represented and able to participate in its first conference. <strong>The</strong> experience was not<br />
only memorable, but they were able to garner some real organizational leadership<br />
experiences. <strong>The</strong> Area recognized 3 of our Teens who authored and submitted to the Area IV<br />
book of poems. Also, Congratulations to our Mr. and Miss SPMD Top Teen, who were<br />
excellent chapter representatives. I am prayerful that the future of the <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s<br />
Miami-Dade Chapter of TLOD will continue to shine. Increasing our membership with 25<br />
ready, willing, and talented women with hands of excellence to circulate the organizational<br />
mission and goals is a step in the right direction. Let your creativity immerse you during our<br />
break. Think of meaningful and impactful ways this chapter can serve in excellence. Our<br />
future is our Teens, but we do not exist without the history of our Seniors or the breeding of<br />
Women. As we continue to grow in Partnerships, we must seek opportunities to build<br />
Beautiful Communities. I look forward to your ideas at our summer retreat, where we will<br />
introduce new initiatives. Additionally, look for a survey that will be sent to all members for<br />
your opinion on our progress and areas of improvement. As we wind down for our break,<br />
take some time to rejuvenate and recharge. Enjoy your summer!<br />
Sisterly blessings,<br />
Lady Regina
Looking Back…<br />
February <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Rock the Vote - 8<br />
• Area IV All State Cluster - 12<br />
• <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter Meeting - 18<br />
• National March of Dimes Month<br />
• Chapter Meeting – 19 (Wear Purple Attire); send photos to<br />
nymacon@yahoo.com<br />
• <strong>Pearl</strong> Partners/Sisterly Relations Activities<br />
March <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Area IV Christmas in Paris Fundraiser - 11<br />
• Chapter Meeting - 17<br />
• <strong>Pearl</strong> Partners/Sisterly Relations Activities<br />
April <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Chapter Meeting - 17<br />
• Lady Sharon Beard, National President, Birthday - 21<br />
• New Ladies Induction Ceremony – 29<br />
• <strong>Pearl</strong> Partners/Sisterly Relations Activities<br />
<strong>May</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Chapter Meeting –<br />
• New Ladies Induction Ceremony - 7<br />
• <strong>Pearl</strong> Partners/Sisterly Relations Activities
Our prospective Meet & Greet Orientation<br />
<strong>The</strong> SPMD Chapter hosted it’s first Meet and Greet for prospective members<br />
on January 15, <strong>2023</strong>.
Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
National Wear Red Day<br />
Honoring National Wear Red Day - February 3, <strong>2023</strong>.
Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
National Wear Red Day
Lady Sharon Beard, National President & Lady Regina Sandilands, President;<br />
Lady Sharon Beard, National President; Lady Kathy L. Horton;<br />
Lady Dorothy Buchanan Wilson, President-Elect & Lady Regina Sandilands
Ladies enjoying the Area IV Conference
~SAVE THE DATE~<br />
41 st MARCH 16 - 19, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Registration:<br />
Will run October 1, 2022 - January 31, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Conference Registration Fees<br />
Ladies $295 - Teens $220 - Lords $200<br />
Conference begins: 4:00 P.M. on March 16<br />
Hotel: Renaissance Orlando @ Sea World<br />
6677 Sea Harbor Drive<br />
Orlando, Florida 32821<br />
Hotel Pricing<br />
$220 + $25 per night Resort Fee
Top Ladies attending the Area IV Conference with Lady<br />
Adrienne Boner, Area IV Director and Lady Crystal C.<br />
Pittman, Area IV Organizer.
Lady Maria Singfield, Lady Kathy L. Horton and Lady Crystal C. Pittman<br />
Lady Dynise Perry<br />
Lady Regina Sandilands<br />
and Lady Karen Love<br />
Lady Regina Sandilands<br />
and Top Teens<br />
Lady Carmen Jones-Carey
Area IV Leadership Conference
Greetings,<br />
Congratulations to the <strong>2023</strong> Spring Class of <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter of Top Ladies of<br />
Distinction, Incorporated. <strong>The</strong> Chapter hosted its Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 29th, at<br />
the Second Baptist Church in Richmond Heights, Florida. Twenty-three phenomenal, intelligent,<br />
service-minded, beautiful women were inducted to begin a new journey of service and support to<br />
enhance and enrich the lives of youth and adults through collaborative community-based programs<br />
and projects. <strong>The</strong>se Ladies demonstrated their dedication and commitment to serve by supporting<br />
50 women and four children with “Package with a Purpose” bags filled with toiletries and treats at<br />
the Agape Network facility to complete their Class Service Project. It was exhilarating to celebrate<br />
with these Ladies for their accomplishments while other Top Ladies and many of their family<br />
members and friends were present.<br />
Let us continue to work hard in creating new ways to serve our youth, senior citizens, and the<br />
community that is direct, intentional, and purposeful throughout all platforms available to assist in<br />
accomplishing our goals and objectives.<br />
Congratulations and welcome to Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated!<br />
Lady Angela Staggers Washington, Membership Chair<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
Lady Carmen Jones-Carey, Membership Co-Chair<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter extends Birthday Greetings!
June <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Chapter Meeting - 17<br />
• <strong>Pearl</strong> Partners/Sisterly Relations Activities<br />
July <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Syn-Lod <strong>2023</strong>, 5 – 9<br />
• <strong>Pearl</strong> Partners/Sisterly Relations Activities<br />
• Enjoy Your Summer!<br />
August <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Chapter Retreat - 12
• I was born in Bradenton,<br />
Florida<br />
• I am a proud graduate of<br />
Wiley College<br />
• I love baking<br />
• I volunteer with the NAACP<br />
Youth Council<br />
• I am single and ready to<br />
mingle<br />
• I am a member of New Birth<br />
Baptist Church<br />
• My Bachelor’s Degree is in<br />
Interdisciplinary Studies –<br />
Global Child Development<br />
• I am a Rocket
i
A man goes out ice fishing one morning. He reaches the<br />
ice and is about to cut a hole in the ice when he hears a<br />
voice from above saying, "there are no fish here". <strong>The</strong><br />
fisherman is shocked but gets up and moves to another<br />
spot. As he's about to cut a hole in the ice there, he hears<br />
a voice from above again saying, "there are no fish here<br />
either". Once again, he gets up and moves to a third<br />
spot. Before he's even finished walking, the same voice<br />
again says, "I'm telling you - there are no fish<br />
here". Annoyed, the fisherman says, "God, how can you<br />
be so sure that there are also no fish here?" <strong>The</strong> voice<br />
replies, "This is an ice-skating rink and I'm the manager".<br />
You can also include the moral/lesson behind the joke if<br />
you'd like to: Sometimes you can have the best<br />
intentions. But even your best won't work in the wrong<br />
place.
Sista’s Recipe<br />
Submitted by Lady Willetta Bain<br />
Ingredients:<br />
4- 2 1/2 -3-inch-wide pieces<br />
of salmon<br />
8 oz cream cheese softened<br />
5 oz pack of spinach<br />
½ cup parmesan cheese<br />
2 tbsp kinder’s seafood<br />
seasoning<br />
Instructions:<br />
Set salmon aside, Sautee<br />
spinach in your choice of oil,<br />
and set aside.<br />
Thoroughly mix the remaining<br />
ingredients in a bowl.<br />
Add spinach. Split salmon<br />
pieces down the middle, be<br />
careful not to go all the way<br />
through.<br />
Stuff the salmon with cream<br />
cheese mixture.<br />
Fry salmon on both sides for<br />
approximately 5 minutes<br />
Enjoy!
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
National Wear Red Day
Top Teens of America, and Advisors took<br />
time out of their busy schedule to enjoy<br />
Orlando’s infamous SeaWorld <strong>The</strong>me Park.<br />
Teens and Ladies enjoyed the various park<br />
rides and shows.<br />
What a relaxing day!<br />
.
Lady Felecia Townsend Top Teens Advisor, Lady Regina<br />
Sandilands, President along with Top Teens represented the<br />
“305” during the TTA Rep Your City Event!<br />
Top Teen Gwendolyn “GiGi” Thomas
Congratulations Miss Top Teen Delya Harris<br />
Congratulations Mr. Top Teen Travon Bastian
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
Teen Delya Harris<br />
Teen Delya<br />
Lady Delshonna<br />
Teen Delya<br />
Teen Trayvon<br />
Teen Delya<br />
Teen Trayvon
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
Top Teens Delya Harris and Travon Bastien are the chapters<br />
first Mr. and Ms. Top Teens. <strong>The</strong>y are photographed with<br />
other Top Teens during the Area IV Awards Ceremony.
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
Top Teens in semi-formal attire with Lady Adrienne for the Awards Banquet.
Top Teens participating in events during the Area IV Conference
Top Teens participated in the Area IV Gala Awards Ceremony.
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
On March 18, <strong>2023</strong>, Top Teens participated in the TTA College and Career Expo.<br />
Colleges in attendance included: Florida Memorial University, Florida Agricultural,<br />
and Mechanical Engineering University (FAMU), Bethune Cookman, and Edward<br />
Waters, to name a few. In attendance were Lady Adrienne Boner, National Area IV<br />
Director, Lady Regina Sandilands, Chapter President, and Lady Felecia Townsend,<br />
Top Teens Advisor.
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter
Top Teens of America <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade<br />
Chapter Induction Ceremony held on March 28, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Top Teens of America <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade<br />
Chapter is excited to introduce our new Top Teen members.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se 12 dynamic Teens are ready to lead and are prepared<br />
for greatness! Kudos to Teen Sanai & the TTA Executive Board<br />
along with Lady Felecia Townsend and the Service to Youth<br />
team for your leadership in onboarding these new Top Teens:<br />
Teen Kira, Teen Christia, Teen Reshena, Teen Layla, Teen<br />
Sasha, Teen Donyelle, Teen Kalani, Teen Noah, Teen Victoria,<br />
Teen Zion, Teen Joi, and Teen Dion!<br />
Join us in welcoming these Top Teens to our chapter!
Congratulations!<br />
Top Teens Kyesi Battle, Kyla Holmes, and Jhania Askew<br />
were featured in the Top Teens Book of Authors during<br />
the Area IV Conference.
Top Teens participating in the Blue Summer Beach Clean-up. TTA<br />
Advisor’s Lady Dja, Lady Michelle Witherspoon, and Area IV Organizer,<br />
Lady Crystal C. Pittman, supported the Teens for this community<br />
project.
Top Teens of America<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
<strong>The</strong> Executive Board<br />
Teen Sanai Thomas-Abdoulaye, President<br />
Teen Kelly Tomlin, 1 st Vice President<br />
Teen Alexis Dean, 2 nd Vice President<br />
Teen Marisa Bobo, Recording Secretary<br />
Teen Macaya Cobb, Assistant Recording Secretary<br />
Teen Antuan Rolle, Treasurer<br />
Teen Travon Bastian, Financial Secretary<br />
Teen Delya Harris, Chaplain
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong> is a digital publication<br />
produced by<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong>s Miami-Dade Chapter<br />
Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.<br />
Our goal and intent is to share information with our<br />
membership and members of our service community.<br />
We welcome your submissions.<br />
Please send your announcements, accomplishments,<br />
and other newsletter materials to the team by July 28, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
Newsletter Committee<br />
Publicists: Ladies Kathy L. Horton and Lady Arlenna Williams<br />
Contributing Writers: Ladies Willetta Bain, Lady Lisa Bennett,<br />
Lady Susan Cambridge and Karen D. Harris
Our Executive Board<br />
Lady Regina Sandilands, President<br />
Lady Christa Dotson Dean, 1 st Vice President<br />
Lady Karen D. Harris, 2 nd Vice President<br />
Lady Latoya Darbeau, Recording Secretary<br />
Lady Dja Dugue-Wright, Assistant Recording Secretary<br />
Lady Arlenna Williams, Corresponding Secretary<br />
Lady Michele Paramore, Treasurer<br />
Lady Alessandra G. Williams, Financial Secretary<br />
Lady Lisa B. Bennett, Assistant Financial Secretary<br />
Lady Kay Williams-Dawson, Chaplain<br />
Lady Pamela Latimore, Parliamentarian<br />
Lady Mary Williams-Ervin, Historian<br />
Lady Dynise Perry, Sergeant-At-Arms
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Pearl</strong> is published quarterly.<br />
Next Publication Date:<br />
August 15, <strong>2023</strong>
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