Sunday, December 15, 2013

Happy Birthday Ronald B. Saunders, December 15, 2013

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Ronald B. Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
December 15, 2013

                                       
                        Ron's baby picture at six months


The Saunders Family--Seated from left to right: Tommy, age 8; Ronald, age 4 and mother Beatrice.


                                     Ron at three years of age


      Gary O'Malley and Ron at 15 years of age.  Gary O'Malley is the son Helen M. Minear, secretary (business agent) of the Pittsburgh Local of the American Newspaper Guild.  Picture was taken in Yosemite National Park in 1958 while in attendance at the American Newspaper Guild Convention in San Jose, California.


             Ron at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada in 1967. Ron drove his 1963 Chrysler Newport sedan to Montreal Canada.


Ronald B. Saunders and his friend Michael Pierce with two unidentified Filipino females at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada. English Leather cologne spilled on at least 75 of the pictures taken of EXPO 67. Sorry!


Ron playing tennis in Aruba at the Divi Divi Beach Hotel in 1972.  Note: Ron was the runner-up in the 1977 PHRC Tennis Tournament held in Pittsburgh.


          Ron swimming backstroke in Torrejohn, Spain in 1969.


Ron swimming at the Divi Divi Beach Hotel in Aruba in 1972



 Ron swimming in the Bahamas in 1973

Ron was a champion swimmer and a childhood and teenage teammate of Nate Clark who was an All American swimmer at Ohio State University and the first African American to score in an NCAA championship.


Ron in Kirchgoens, Germany in 1969.  Ron was chairman of the Afro American Soldiers Association which was part of the Black Panther  Movement.                  


Ron with two Moroccan children in Tangier, Morocco in 1969.


Ron giving a black history lesson in 1994 to the young people of the James Paige Learning Center in Wheeling, West Virginia.


Pictured left to right are: Ronald B. Saunders, James S. Robinson, Jr., Beatrice Saunders Robinson. Pictured front center is Ronald Saunders' daughter, Tamara Saunders.
Picture was taken in front of Christian Tabernacle Church located on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Late Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson, First African American Female in the United States To Be Treasurer of a Major Union, American Newspaper Guild, Would Be 98 Years of Age Today

Black Buzz News Service
Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson Project
Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
December 10, 2013

Picture of Beatrice Saunders Robinson at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco in 1959.  The American Newspaper Guild National Convention was held in San Jose in 1959.  The Guild Convention members and their families had taken a trip to San Francisco from San Jose to have dinner at the Fisherman's Wharf.  Mrs. Robinson is the mother of Thomas John Saunders, Jr. and Ronald B. Saunders.

Pictured is the crowning of the queen of the Pittsburgh Local of the American Newspaper Guild prior to the annual national convention which was held in Pittsburgh in 1951.   Crowning the queen is Jean O'Toole, an officer of the Pittsburgh Local.  Seated on the right is Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson who was treasurer of the Pittsburgh Local and chairman of the Pittsburgh Courier Unit of the American Newspaper Guild.

Pictured are the officers of the Pittsburgh Guild of the American Newspaper Guild during the National Convention which was held in Pittsburgh, PA in 1951.  Pictured from left to right are: Jean O'Toole who represented the Pittsburgh-Sun Telegraph, Helen M. Minear, secretary of the Pittsburgh Local, Beatrice L. Saunders, treasurer of the Pittsburgh Local and chairman of The Pittsburgh Courier Unit, standing behind Mrs. Saunders is Dave Welty who represented the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who also became the press secretary for Mayors Pete Flaherty and Richard Caliguiri, and seated on the end is Ethel Cobb who also represented the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  The person's name seated next to Mrs. Saunders is unknown.
Lorraine Robinson, who would later become Mrs. Clifton Brown, and who was also employed by The Pittsburgh Courier, stated that in the late 1940's, The Pittsburgh Courier employees selected Beatrice Saunders to be the chairman of Pittsburgh Local of the American Newspaper Guild because she was trustworthy, highly intelligent  and would fight for the employees' rights in a quiet, dignified manner.
Ronald Saunders recalls overhearing his mother, Beatrice Saunders at a sub-committee meeting of the American Newspaper Guild at the National Convention held in Albany, New York in 1955 make the following statement: 'The Pittsburgh Courier employees have to pay the same for bread and butter and other staples as the other employees of the of Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'. (Lorraine Robinson later married Clifton Brown, brother of the late Ray Brown who was the most famous bassist in jazz history).
Beatrice L. Saunders who later became Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson represented all The Courier reporters, editorial writers, all photographers such as the late Teenie Harris, Sports Editors such as Bill Nunn Jr, clerical staff and support staff.  Note that Mrs. Saunders represented Edna Chapell who later became Dr. Edna McKenzie and who was the first Black female reporter at The Pittsburgh Courier.  The other Courier employees such as the pressmen, printers, lithograph operators and truck drivers were represented by Jimmy Hoffa's teamsters.
One should be cognizant of the fact that the vast majority of Black newspapers during the 1930's through the 1950's were openly hostile to the unionization of their employees.  But Mrs. Robert L. Vann, who was forward and progressive in her thinking and who preceded her husband, Mr. Vann in the ownership of The Pittsburgh Courier, welcomed the unionization of her business.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette employees today owe a lot to the efforts of another female pioneer in the Pittsburgh labor movement and in the national labor movement and that is Helen M. Minear who was the secretary (business agent) of the Pittsburgh Local of the American Newspaper Guild for many years.  It is a fact that Helen M. Minear worked in concert with Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson set the stage to obtain the highest standard of living and better working conditions for today's employees.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Dr. John A. Taylor, Brother-in Law, Musician, Educator and Administrator, Who Was a Faithful Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fratrenity

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
November 1, 2013

John Taylor

Obituary

John Armstead Taylor, 74, musician, educator and administrator, died Monday, October 28, 2013. Dr. Taylor came to Chicago in 1997 to the Higher Learning Commission, after a distinguished career in academic administration at Lincoln University (Missouri). At the Commission, he consulted with colleges and universities on ways to improve the quality of their academic programs, retiring in 2012. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara Pollard, son Jonathan (Joelle) Greenbelt,MD, four granddaughters Hannah, Abigail, Sarah, and Jamie, daughter Allyson Hall (Jason) Alexandria,VA, and four sisters Jewel Thompson, Phyllis Hall, Brenda Alexander, and Rubye McKnight. Brothers-Waverly and Charles--and sister Joyce Salley preceded him in death. Friends will be received at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013 at First UMC-Chicago Temple, and a Memorial Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association (www.alsa.org). Condolences may be left at www.aarayner.com.


Obituary of Dr. John A. Taylor, Former Highly Esteemed Educator, Administrator at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
November 1, 2013

John Armstead Taylor

John Armstead Taylor

unknown - October 28, 2013

John Armstead Taylor, educator, administrator, musician, composer, and 20-year resident of Jefferson City, died Monday, October 28, 2013, in Chicago, Ill. He was 74. Dr. Taylor moved to Jefferson City in 1978, to lead the Department of Fine Arts at Lincoln University. He strengthened its academic programs, recruiting and developing a talented faculty, promoting a culture of excellence among students, and attracting instructional resources. By 1998, Dr. Taylor's many contributions at Lincoln, as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and as Vice President of Academic Affairs, had won the attention of the Chicago-based Higher Learning Commission. He began a second career there, this time helping other colleges and universities travel their own roads towards higher levels of quality in their academic programs. Through it all, however, Dr. Taylor made music. Classically-trained on the trumpet, he played in back-up bands that included Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Nancy Wilson, and Stevie Wonder. He played in countless community ensembles including the Jefferson City Symphony, Cantorum, and Little Theatre. He directed choirs at Community Christian Church. He conducted the Jefferson City Symphony. He wrote, arranged, and published music for choir, band, and orchestra. Dr. Taylor is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara Pollard Taylor of Chicago, Illinois; one son, Jonathan Taylor and wife Joelle Simpson Taylor of Greenbelt, Maryland; four granddaughters, Hannah, Abigail, Sarah, and Jamie; one daughter Allyson Taylor Hall and husband Jason Hall of Alexandria, Virginia; four sisters, Jewel, Phyllis, Brenda, and Rubye; one aunt, Lucille Taylor Hudson; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Two brothers, Waverly and Charles and one sister, Joyce preceded him in death. Friends will be received from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, Chicago Temple, with a Memorial Service to follow. Interment is on November 9, at Zion Baptist Church in Kinsale, Virginia, the church Dr. Taylor's dad once pastored. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ALS Association (www.alsa.org) or to a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.aarayner.com.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

(Notes on) Politics, Theory & Photography: Clueless White Boys, the Confederate Flag, and Race

(Notes on) Politics, Theory & Photography: Clueless White Boys, the Confederate Flag, and Race

What is missing from this article is the fact they could be racist and clueless. Furthermore do you really think that people displaying the Confederate Flag care about what you have to say in the instant case?
If you do then you need a deep reality check.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Brendan Petrie Sack, Fumble Recovery and Running for a Touchdown for the Carrollwood Hurricanes in the Pop Warner League in Tampa-Northwest Hillsborough County

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
October 4, 2013

    Brendan Petrie, #42, sack 1

       Brendan sack # 2

     Brendan sack#3

     Brendan sack# 4

    Brendan's fumble recovery #1

    Brendan's fumble recovery #2

    Brendan's fumble recovery #3 and running for a touchdown

    Brendan's fumble recovery #4 and running for a touchdown

    Brendan's fumble recovery #5 and running for a touchdown

    Brendan's fumble recovery #6 and running for a touchdown

    Brendan's fumble recovery #7 and running for a touchdown

    Brendan's fumble recovery #8 and running for a touchdown

Brendan Petrie is the second son of Geoffrey and Amy Petrie, grandson of Linda and Raymond McDougald, Sr. and grandnephew of Ronald B. and Judith Saunders.  Brendan plays defensive end and wide receiver for the Carrollwood Hurricanes in Tampa-Northwest Hillsborough County. Brendan's younger brother Logan, also plays in the Pop Warner League and is a running back and defensive back.  Cameron, Brendan's and Logan's oldest brother is a sophomore at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida and plays tight end and linebacker.
College recruiters should keep their eyes on all three of the Petrie boys who are not only very good football players but also excellent students in the classroom.



































   










Sunday, September 22, 2013

Morgan State College History Picture of Five Beautiful Coeds, Fall of 1957

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Hales-Still Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
September 22, 2013


Pictured second from the left is Ruth Ann Hales now Ruth Ann Still who is a close friend of the Saunders family.  Morgan State College is today Morgan State University, located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Film Showing of Adanggaman Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 6:00 P.M. Free Admission Homewood Library Auditorium: 7101 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
September 13, 2013


Tuskegee Airmen Recognition Exhibit: Thursday, September 12, 2013 Pittsburgh International Airport Gate A-Airport Concourse

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
September 13, 2013






Sunday, September 8, 2013

Heroes of Christian Tabernacle Church, Located at 2601 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA : Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson and James S. Robinson, Jr.

Black Buzz News Service
Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson Project
James S. Robinson, Jr. Project
Saunders Robinson Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
September 8, 2013

Trustees, James S. Robinson, Jr. and Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson 
who are the parents of  Thomas J. and Ronald B. Saunders.

Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson is pictured third from the right in the 
second row.

     
Seated in the front row, third from the right is Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson. Seated first on the right in the third row is Montrose Brooks Bradshaw, the sister of Beatrice.

                           Seated first on the left is Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson.

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Seated in the fifth row, third from the right is Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson. Seated in the fourth row, first on the left is Mrs. Robinson's sister, Montrose Brooks Bradshaw.

Pictured above are the ushers of Christian Tabernacle Church.  Standing first from the left is Montrose Brooks Bradshaw, sister of Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson.

Standing third from the right is Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson who would later become dean and vice president of the Harty Bible School.





























Saturday, August 24, 2013

Fryeburg, Maine: Happy 250th Birthday August 24, 2013

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
August 24, 2013

August 24, 2013 is the 250th birthday of Fryeburg,Maine which is the home of the prestigious   Fryeburg Academy.  

Below is the historical program document of the First Congregation Church of Fryeburg, Maine, January 9, 1955.  The program document was obtained by my brother, Thomas J. Saunders, Jr. who was a 1957 graduate of Fryeburg Academy and a regular attendee of the church.










                            Picture of Fryeburg, Maine's famous donut tree






The top picture is of the old Oxford House.  The bottom picture is the Oxford House today.  This is where my wife and I enjoyed my Father's Day dinner in June, 2012 with a backdrop of the White Mountains Saco River with Miles Davis music in the background---"Kind of Blue".






                                                              Lowell Lake in Fryeburg, Maine









         One of the many lovely doorways of Fryeburg's fine old mansions