Camden Community Honors Former KTVE Host - MyArkLaMiss.com - KTVE NBC 10 - KARD FOX 14! (Las Bell, Sr)/Video From Siblings!

Camden Community Honors Former KTVE Host - MyArkLaMiss.com - KTVE NBC 10 - KARD FOX 14 - Your homepage for the latest News, Weather and Sports in the ArkLaMiss!


http://www.blackpast.org/aah/bell-lasker-las-sr-1928

Program of Celebration, Honoring and Appreciating Lasker Bell, Sr.

Congratulations, Lasker!

Lasker Bell, A Living Legend

Here's an excerpt from the letter from New St. James A.M.E. Church to the family and friends of Lasker Bell:

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
The Young Women Initiative is recognizing our "Living Legends" of Saint James A.M.E. Church. We are recognizing our honorees with a "Living Legends Banquet". We would love to have the families and friends join us in a night of eloquence and dinner on June 20, 2009 @ 6:00 P.M. at Camden Fairview Intermediate School.

The Young Women Initiative will present each honoree and read a biography of each "Living Legend". We may also need the help of family members in gathering information.

As part of this event, we will be preparing a souvenir booklet as a keepsake for this event. The ad prices are as follows:

full page $50.00
half page $25.00 ($30.00 with color)
1/4 page $15.00

Tickets for the event, including dinner are $12.50 per person.

We are looking forward to seeing the families & friends of our honorees, "The Men of the Camden Community".

Thanks in Advance.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sonya Gordon
YWI President

So please send congratulations remarks, photos and appropriate amount so that you can be included in the souvenir booklet. This will also give the people of Camden an opportunity to see what a big family Lasker actually has. Many will no doubt be surprised. Mail to Lasker's home address by May 15th. Thanks

Las in Bla.ck Hist.ory Program

On January 25, 2009, Las was honored during a Black History Month celebration. It was held at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 675 Viser Avenue, Camden, Arkansas where Rev, Dr. J.H. Hayes, Jr is the pastor. The title was Las Bell, Molding His Destiny, From the Field to the Microphone. What follows is an article read at the program:
According to a CNN special "Black in America", statistically speaking if a young black man has no formal education and no positive role model in his home, his chances in the business world are very slim, but one 80 year old man in camden has proven throughout his life that with hard work, determination and a dream those statistics do not mold your destiny. Born in 1928, raised by share croppers, Las Bell worked hard to better his circumstances and became a well known media personality in South Arkansas in both radio and television. In 1952 after returning from the army, Mr. Bell began to nurture his dream to become a local radio and television personality. Through determination and hard work, Mr. Bell's dream was fulfilled in 1967 when KJWH aired Camden's first soul music radio show. In 1970 his dream of hosting a tv music show similar to American Bandstand was fulfilled by Channel 10 television station. His show was called "The Las Bell Variety Show". In the middle 70's, Mr. Bell began a gospel show for the elderly people and stayed on the air until 1985 when the station changed owners. Mr. Bell stated that he would like the story of his life to inspire others to strive for their dreams without looking back. He said he believes God gives everyone talents, but it is up to each person to make the right choice to use those talents to help themselves and others. "I've come a long way from the cottom fields, but I'm proof that it can be done. It might be hard, but you can make something of yourself if you do the work." said Las Bell. The Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church honored Las in a big way. They were proud to have him with them to celebrate Black History Month and presented him with a beautiful plaque for being one of the legends in the state of Arkansas. He and Mary were very pleased and touched by the tribute. He has been asked to attend his former church, St. James AME later in the year, if possible where they wish to honor him during a program on history of men, former officers and legends of men who are and were members of St. James.

Las On His Appreciation Program

I don't have words adequate enough to express my real feelings pertaining to what my brothers and sisters did for me during the achievement and belated birthday and appreciation program at Mt. Sinai. This was an occasion that I never shall forget. It was the most pleasant surprise that I've had in many years. I was proud to see so many Mt. Sinaians in attendance. I was surprised by many things. I was most surprised by the job my sister, Mattie performed. I didn't know why she was calling me and asking me so many questions when I had been informed that Wallace and Jean were heading the program. I found later that she was putting as much effort toward the occasion as Wallace and Jean. I was truly surprised and proud of her performance. I want to thank Wallace for the idea and initiating it and his cohort, and big sis Jean for the hard job they did and the complications they had to endure to get it done. I also thank the secret service lady (Rikki). I tried my best to ascertain information about what was going on from her and thought she was a real good friend of mine. I learned that she wasn't as close to me as I thought she was when I found out from Jean that she was playing a major role in the operation. I'd also like to thank Mary Helen for bringing Jean and Mattie to my house to visit me while they were in the area. That made me feel so good for my sisters to come and visit with me in my home. When they came I had food for them fit for a king, but they chose cheese and bologna from Moon's store. What do yall think about that? I'm sorry I didn't get to visit with Wallace. We had planned to visit on Sunday, but he had to leave. However, I feel that the Lord will make it possible for us to visit and talk along the lines we have discussed. I feel it will be advantageous to both of us and the entire family. I want to thank Glenidell and LouVata for the contribution that they made. I appreciate it very much. I was also happy that all of my children (Belinda, Jr., James & Sharon) were able to be in attendance. Even if James did get there between flights, he made it. The gestures made by my family meant more to me than you all will ever know. I'm not equipped to adequately express it. I want you all to know that anything you want to do and need my help, I'll be there for you. I will definitely be a team player in whatever you endeavor to do. I want to say this to all of you: God loves you and I do, too. Love you guys. God bless you!

Las' Appreciation

The trip to Louisiana was enjoyed by all. On the day of arrival, it was raining so hard I had to pull over. There was hail in some areas, but after that the weather cooperated. Most of the people of Mt Sinai attended the program and it made us proud. Many spoke about our growing up and how talented we were. [They said it, I didn't] Larry Bell and his son came from Texas and that was special. He sang with us and he testified on Sunday that he is cancer free. Praise God. Don came to the program and it was good to see him. He is so special. He makes sure that there are flowers on Joe and Dorothy, Mama and Daddy's graves. Las was fortunate to have all 4 of his kids present. James from Indiana, Jr. from Atlanta, Belinda from Camden and Sharon and her husband from Little Rock. His new wife, Mary is so cute and sweet. She had to translate everything to him from the program because he is too stubborn to get hearing aides. Brodie stayed at the church for an extra hour waiting to let us in because we were late for Rehearsal. Ethel Marie made a special dinner for us before she left on a road trip with her husband. Effie Mae [Pat Meadors' wife] is making a video of the program for us. Twyler came to the program, made us welcome in her home and sent us packing with home canned goods in spite of her medical problems. Let us pray for her. Carlton came, to my surprise. He introduced his Mom as Mistress of Ceremony. And did you know he can sing? He was late for his return flight and almost missed it. In the process he missed his lunch in the trunk of the car. His Aunt Louise had made homemade biscuits, ham, fried chicken and a hunk of pineapple cake for him to take on the plane. I wonder what happened to it. Cecily played the piano during the collection and did a good job as usual. She is so pretty. Mary Helen did a wonderful job as Mistress of Ceremony. We could not have made a better choice. She is so professional. Mrs. Mattie Hunter woke up the church with her prayers. Rev. Mills did the Revival. He said "I have not talked to the Bells, but from Mattie Bell Hunter's prayers, there is something not right at Mt. Sinai." Everybody did a Bozie. [THAT IS A PRIVATE FAMILY JOKE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW} It means that no one says a word. Johnny Ray did a good job with one rehearsal. We appreciate his reliability. We went to Camden before leaving and Las and Mary had made a wonderful dinner for us. We had stopped at Joe Moon's and bought thick sliced bologna and cheese so didn't have much room for dinner. Las sure knows how to pick a wife. Thank you, Wallace for the idea. It was more than a celebration for Las. For me it meant going home, seeing my siblings, nephews, nieces and many people that I have not seen for many years, like Johnny B. Brown. Thank you, Billie for driving us. It was comforting to be able to just sit back and ride. Thank you, Mattie for my scarf and for always looking out for me. Thank you, Charisse for making sure I had the good seats on the plane and for singing with us. Thanks to Vata, Glenidell, Loraine Bell Smith, Billie Wayne and Larry for their generous donations to the program. Thank you, Rikki for your donation and all you do for this family. Oh, there are plenty of hotels in Minden. We don't need the Linder Motor Lodge. Hope I have not missed anything. It was all good. Jean

Plaque and Incidentals For Las' Program

Jean spent approx $300 on the plaque and other things for Las’ event. If you would like to contribute to this, and are able to, please send money to Jean. THANKS. - Wallace

Music For Las' Program

The CDs have been sent to all to learn. You probably know most or all of the songs. We will not be able to finalize the list until we rehearse them. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE SONGS THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING WITH PRIORITIES AND WHO WILL SING THE SONGS. Hopefully all requests will be met but just in case we run out of time we can at least get to the high priority songs.

I still need to get CDs to the piano player but have lost his number and address. If you have it, call me or send me an email. - Wallace

Accommodations

Info From Jean:
Additional Accommodations for August:
We know that everyone cannot stay at Mrs Holyfield's home so another option is Lake Claiborne. It is located at 225 State Park Rd. 7 minutes So E on 146 in Homer, La. Phone 318-927-2976. Reservations may be made through La. State Parks at 1-877-226-7652 and may be made up to 11 months in advance. Each cabin sleeps 6-8 people. It includes upper bedroom with queen bed and lower room has 2 sets of bunk beds, and queen sofa in living room that makes a bed. It has kitchen with microwave, fridge. pots, pans, plates, glasses and silverware. It has picnic tables, BBQ pits, playground, screen porch, decks and fireplaces. Cost $90 per day. Feedback requested or if you like, you can reserve on your own. Link to take you to Claiborne Lake and Facilities
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iClaiborn.aspx#


Reminder from Rikki:
Mrs. Holyfield has said that her empty house is available for us in August. In her words "I would love for you all to use it". I believe it has two bedrooms and a large front room. I will get more information and provide as I get it.

Details About the Program

Wallace has been in touch with Johnny Parish [musician that played at Joe's funeral] and he has agreed to play for us in August. I touched basis with Rev Duty this past week and she was on spring break in Dallas yet still excited about the program. She advised that we send a flyer to her and to the church Secretary, Blondzetta. Fliers will be mailed this week. Wallace is getting the tapes made to be distributed. Thank You, Rikki for your help. You are always there for us, no matter what it is.-Jean
We are still asking for feedback.

Some Family members have not given any ideas. We don't want to leave anyone out. Thanks. Jean

I am volunteering to do the presentation for Lass's appreciation. Please send info or stats or whatever you have to Rikki. We will get all info coordinated for one presentation. I think we can also do individual personal remarks as was done at Vata's retirement. Again, all input is welcome. Jean

Note from Jean:
Recommendations for Attire by Mattie:
Women---Saturday --Black with gold accessories [scarves or jewelry],
Wednesday Night-- Off White with purple or black blouse.
Feedback encouraged.