The Astorian
A Bi-Monthly Newsletter about Members and
Activities
Activities Volume 04_September 2015
The Astoria Beneficial Club Inc.,
“Celebrating a Rich Past:
Making a Difference In The Future
Message from the President
Greetings, my fellow Astorians! The summer season is in swift transition and soon will be
drawing to a close. I sincerely hope that each of you have enjoyed this time for vacationing,
renewal and reflection. And, it also is my hope, that during this summer you have spent some
time preparing yourself to embrace the continuing challenge of moving our Club forward.
Also, I want to thank the many Astorians who attended the annual worship service at Saint Peter
Baptist Church on Sunday, August 9 as a part of our 114th Anniversary celebration. We were
well received by the Pastor and the entire congregation.
As we continue to celebrate our 114th Anniversary and the great things we have done, and will
continue to do, I believe it is most fitting to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of two
of our dedicated members, Walter Gaines, Jr. and James W. Hunt, Jr. Their lives epitomize our
Club objective, which is “to inspire its members to a higher religious, moral, intellectual,
civic and social standing and…..”
These two Astorians are to be congratulated because they are worthy of the honor that is due
them for their service to God, Astoria and the community:
Past President Walter Gaines, Jr. (deceased) was a very active and committed man. He freely
gave his time, resources, and talents to many different organizations including the providence
Park Civic Association where he was a founding member and president for over 30 years;
Habitat for Humanity where he served as a Board member; the Crusade for Voters; the City of
Richmond Personnel Committee; the Astoria Beneficial Club where he served as president from
1999 to 2000, and as a member of the Board of Governors and Anniversary and Awards
Committee; he was awarded the Citizenship Award in 1988 and 2012, and named Astorian of the
Year in 2002.
Walter Gaines’ legacy of service will live on in the fact that the City Of Richmond has named a
public park, located in the Highland Park Community, in his honor. The official dedication of
the Walter Gaines, Jr. Memorial Park will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 6:00
PM, and all Astorians should be in attendance to support his family and the City of Richmond in
honoring the memory of our beloved brother. Congratulation to the Walter Gaines, Jr. Family on
receiving this great honor!
Also, another one of our dedicated members, Past President James W. Hunt, Jr., will be
honored at an appreciation banquet given by Sub District No. 5, the Grand Order of Odd Fellows
in America and Jurisdictions on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Holiday Inn Crossroads at
6:00 PM. The banquet is in recognition of Most Honorable Grand Master Emeritus James W.
Hunt, Jr.’s outstanding leadership, untiring effort, monumental achievements, unselfish
contributions, and dedicated service. We are encouraging as many Astorians as possible to attend
this banquet in support of Brother Hunt. See me or Marvin Tart for more information about the
banquet.
Further, James Hunt has been involved with many community organizations including the
Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. – Past President and Board Chairman; The Richmond Branch
NAACP, Freedom Fund Chairman; Life-time member of the NAACP; and the Friends
Association for Children Board of Trustees. James is a member of the First Thursday Group.
This group is a big supporter of his beloved alma mater Virginia Union University. He is also a
member of several fraternal organizations including Phi Beta Sigma - Iota Chapter, Capital City
Masonic Lodge No. 107, Richmond Consistory No. 22A and Prince Hall Shriners - Mocha
Temple No. 7 – Past Illustrious Potentate. He is a proud and faithful child of God and a longtime
member of Bethlehem Baptist Church where he is the past Chairman of the Deacon Board.
My fellow Astorians, please allow Walter’s and James’ legacy of service and commitment to
inspire and motivate each of us to leave a legacy of dedicated service to God, our Club, and
community as well.
The future is bright my brothers! Therefore, let us embrace it with much confidence and
enthusiasm, because our success as an historic organization really depends upon it.
Peace and blessings,
Roy A. Carter, Sr.
Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc.
Announcements and Reminders
The Next Regular Monthly Meetings;
Monday September 14, 2015,
Monday October 12, 2015
At the Letters Carriers Union Hall on Chamberlayne Ave.
Anniversary and Awards – This year’s Anniversary and Awards Banquet will be held
on Sunday November 15, 2015 at the G.R.A.C.E. Center, Fifth Street Baptist Church.
Our guest speaker will be Mr. Jack Gravely, Esquire: Radio Host and Director of the
Virginia State Conference NAACP. Anyone wishing to join this committee can contact
either President Roy Carter or committee vice-chairmen Alan Foster, Sr. Astorians are
asked to support this activity. Banquet Tickets are $40.00.
Bylaws Report
Article III. Section 4 Exempt Members (To be inserted after number 3)
Exempt members shall be notified of their exempt status by the Corresponding Secretary.
Article V, Section 2. Election.
(Addition) Elected officers absent at the December Installation shall appear before the club at the
next regular meeting to be installed, sworn-in and given the oath of office.
Rationale – Officers not sworn-in and given the oath of office are not obligated to perform the
duties of their respective offices.
Article V, Section E 6 the Corresponding Secretary shall;
4. Notify Exempt Members of their exempt status.
Article 7 Section 2 D the Memorial Committee
Combine the duties of the Burial and the Memorial Committees and eliminate the Burial
Committee.
This committee shall co-ordinate club representation and assistance at the death of a member. It
shall also notify the news media to inform the membership of the time and place of the funeral.
This committee shall submit a voucher to the treasurer for news- related expenses. Additionally,
it shall co-ordinate an annual service to memorialize deceased members. The Annual Memorial
Service shall be held during the regular meeting of November. This is to be a non-public affair.
Article VII, Section 2 G the Education Committee (This is Astoria’s Education Committee, not
the C. F. Foster Scholarship Foundation).
This committee shall coordinate monetary incentive awards for high school graduates who are
children of club members. This committee shall, upon confirmation of eligibility of graduates,
submit vouchers to the treasurer for the incentive awards. (Eliminate “shall screen candidates to
receive the annual scholarship awards”. This is the business of the C. F. F. S. F.)
Submitted by the Bylaws Committee,
Eugene C. Harden, chairman
Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc.
Officers 2015
Roy A. Carter, Sr
President
Jonathan G. Johnson
First Vice President
Fred H. Vann, Jr.
Second Vice President
Dolson Anderson
Recording Secretary
Harry D. Reid, Sr
Corresponding Secretary
Marvin R. Tart, Sr.
Treasurer
Willie Williams III
Assistance Treasurer
James H. Lewis, Jr.
Financial Secretary
John Houze
Assistance Financial Secretary
Ronald Ford
Chaplain
Harvey Carey
Assistance Chaplain
Theodore R. Jones, Sr.
Sergeant At Arms
Alan J. Foster, Sr.
Legal Advisor
Hamlet Hood, Jr.
Historian
Astoria Calendar 2015
January


Executive Meeting
Dues are paid
July


February


Forum
Newsletters Sent
August


March



Dues Past Due
Historian Annual Report
Board Meeting


April


Newsletters Sent
Non-financial members are
declared suspended




Newsletters Sent
Annual Bylaws Report
File taxes
November
Social Function
Tax deadline



June


Education Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report
to Club
Board Meeting
October
May


Newsletters Sent
No Regular Club Meeting
September


Election of Nominating
Committee
Annual Picnic
Memorial Service
Ann. & Award Program
Board Meeting
December
Newsletters Sent
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
Program
Board Meeting
Fellowship Meeting






Newsletters Sent
Club Approve Budget
Installation of Officers
Audit Report
Fellowship Meeting
Written Annual Comm. Report
Club Website is "astoriabeneficialclub.org"
THE FIRST EDITION OF THE ASTORIAN Online (newsletter) version was launched January
2009 by Newsletter Editor Harry D. Reid, Sr. this is an online version of the original newsletter
land mailed to all active members of the Club. The online version is an in depth perspective of
the Club activities, Presidents Message, History, Upcoming event, Astorians in business, Health
issues, Just-For- Laughs, Editorial, Business, Retirement and an opportunity for members to
present issues of concern.
******************************************************************************
Happy Birthday
August
Hamlet Hood
Ford, William A.
Harden, Eugene C.
Hunter, Alvin
Richardson, Earnest.
Henry S. Taylor
Gary Young
September
McCowin, Norman
Menefield, Russell A
Robinson, Louis J.
Taylor, James C.
Kim Taylor
Thomas Taylor
October
Clayton, Lamont
Rachel, Wayne K.
“Your Destiny is Already Planned”
Committees and Chairman
Anniversary & Awards Committee;
Wayne Rachel,-Chair.
564-0279
Alan Foster, Sr.– Co-Chair
Civic Committee;
Marvin Tart, Sr.
321-9061
Dolson Anderson
Kirk Jones
William Hite
Charles Woodie
John Houze
Clarence Drayton
Robert Morse
Andrew Edwards
Arthur Small
Ronald Ford
Edward Hamlin
Wallace Marrow
Norman McCowin
Joseph Jenkins III
Bernard Jones, Sr.
Bylaws Committee;
James Lewis, Jr.
Eugene Mason
Eugene C. Harden,
Hamlet Hood
Kirk Jones
Eugene Mason
John Purnell
Chairman
Alan Foster
Arthur Smalls
Edward Hamlin
Keith Hicks
Auditing Committee;
Harry Reid
Roy Carter
Cory Nichols
Benevolent Committee;
Arthur Smalls-Chairman
222-4351
Memorial Committee;
Andrew Edwards
Harvey Carey-Chairman
262-8904
Marvin Tart Marvin Tart
Jonathan Johnson
Arthur Smalls
Robert Morse
Ronald Ford
Algenon Brown
Membership Committee;
Keith Hicks, Chairman
Herman Carter, Jr.
Entertainment Ways & Means Committee;
261-0683
Norman McCowin, -Chairman 264-9190
Lionel Alford, Co Chairman
James Armstead
329-2295
Roy Carter, Sr.
Michael Adkins
Henry Coleman
Fredericks Douglas
Clarence Drayton
Jonathan Johnson
Frank Evans
Todd Loney
Alan Foster, Sr.
William Hite
Charlie Garner
Louis Robinson
Edward Hamlin
Chet Russell
Eugene Harden
Herbert Southall, Jr.
Keith Hicks
Wallace Marrow
John Houze
Joseph Jenkins III
Wayne Williams
Jonathan Johnson
Kirk Jones
Barry Kemp
Special Projects Committee;
Eugene Mason
Edward G. Hamlin-Chairman 639-6060
Roland McDaniel
Alan Foster, Sr.
Arthur Smalls
Floyd Smith
Eugene Harden
Andolo Brunson, Sr.
Marvin Tart
Kent Taylor Kent Taylor
Warrick Taylor
Astorian (newsletter) Committee;
Fred Vann
Harry D. Reid, Sr.-Editor
Dolson Anderson
Mr. Archer Dabney
683-4617
Outside Appeals Committee;
Wayne Williams-Chairman
Program Committee;
677-2258
Dolson Anderson-Chairman
Willie Williams III-Co Chairman
Barry Kemp
Clarence Drayton
Joseph Jenkins III
Winston Taylor
Ronald Ford
233-0086
James Hunt
Sick Committee;
Charlie Garner-Chairman
Publicity Committee;
325-3775
Russell Menefield
Fennon R. Henderson,-Chairman
Alan Foster
Hamlet Hood
Leon Jones
PALS Committee;
Bernard Christmas
433-5200
Willie Williams III
Eugene Harden
Hamlet Hood
Burial Committee;
Keith Hicks
Marvin Bell,- Chairman
Charles “Jake” Woody
Clarence Drayton
Kirk Jones
Charlie Garner
David Norville
Russell Menefield
Gary Young
241-8478
AD-Hoc Committee (BO JANGLES PLAQUE
Hamlet Hood, Jr., Chairman
912 5284
THE C. F. FOSTER SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, INC.
The Anniversary & Awards Committee
This year’s Anniversary and Awards Banquet will be held on Sunday November 15,
2015 at the G.R.A.C.E. Center, Fifth Street Baptist Church. Our guest speaker will be
Mr. Jack Gravely, Esquire: Radio Host and Director of the Virginia State Conference
NAACP. Anyone wishing to join this committee can contact either President Roy Carter
or committee vice-chairmen Alan Foster, Sr. Astorians are asked to support this
activity. Banquet Tickets are $40.00.
PALS committee
Newsletter Committee;
The next Astorian (newsletter) will be sent land mail Wednesday November 4, and email
Thursday November 5, 2015.
Harry D. Reid, Sr.
Harry D. Reid, Sr.
Newsletter Chairman
CELEBRATING A RICH PAST:
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE FUTURE
Organized August 8, 2001
The remarkable tradition of the Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. began on August 8, 1901 by 22
men who believed in firm religious values, high moral standards, intellectual growth, civic and
social responsibility. Astoria also became a club of vision and recognized that the barriers to full
citizenship eventually could be eliminated with patience, planning and timely action.
Astoria has earned a significant place in Richmond’s history because of the vision of its
founders. They believed that the barriers to full citizenship could be eliminated with patience,
planning and timely action. Their vision became the guiding light for a rich history of pioneer
efforts to gain voting rights, equal opportunity employment and to end segregation of public
eating facilities. The Astoria creed has inspired outstanding men from every walk of life to
"higher moral, intellectual, civic and social standing" for almost a century.
Editorial
harrydreid@hotmail.com
What’s Happening in The World Now
JUST FOR LAUGHS;
Astoria Song
(To the tune of Born Free)
Once more we gather together
Regardless of Weather
To salute The Astorians
Forward, onward and upward
Onward and upward
Forever that is our goal
Our weakness heeds
And strengthen our faith
Wit hope and love, and faith
Inspire our hearts
Forward, onward and upwards
Onward and upwards
The Astoria
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Send all articles and comments to;
Harry D. Reid, Sr.-Editor
3611 Montclair Rd.
Richmond, VA 23223
or
Email harrydreid@hotmail.com