Volume 1, Issue 9 July 2000

So you missed the hotel deadline. Do you know that it will cost you over twice as much to stay at the Sheraton -Buckhead Hotel without the family discount?!!!

Not to worry, there are alternatives. Here are a list of hotels in the area:

Sleep Inn -Buckhead 404 949-4800 limited availiability Double $139. Single $129.

Fairfield Inn 404 846-0900 all rooms $89.

Courtyard by Marriott 404 869-0818 King $109. Double/King w/breakfast $114.

Residence Inn by Marriott 404 467-1660 Studio Suite $165 + tax

Lenox Inn 404 261-5500 Rooms available only on the 29^th. Double $124. + tax

Mainstay Suites & Embassy Suites in Buckhead were both soldout.

If you want to stay with the rest of the family, Sheraton Buckhead has a limited number of rooms available. King $169 + tax. They can be reached at 404 261-9250.

The Family Reunion Committee is proud to introduce the following:

Sandy Allen

Jessica Davis

Stacey Beard

Tanya Davis

Catherine Bens

Tamara Fisher

Chanell Bens

Edna Jones

Bernard Caldwell

Thomas Jones Jr.

Omar Caldwell

Barbara Bens Nubin

Patricia Caldwell

Joe Nubin III

Our choir will be featured during the Praise and Worship Service on Sunday July 30 at 9:00am. and during the Family Program & Buffet at noon.

Choir members, look for additional information in the mail from us. Thank you all for volunteering!

If you sing in a choir or in the shower and would like to join this endeavor, please e-mail or call us!

Chuck Fisher age 9 on Jul 1

Claude Jones’ daughter Chris Jul 25 (sorry, no last name)

Keith Knox Jul 9

Alvena Morton Jul 26

Tiffani Chiles Jul 10

William Davis Jul 5

Jalen Ray Jul 7

Ashley Allen Jul 27

Jada Jones Jul 20

Kaylen Gilbert Jul 12

Aniya Anthony Jul 18

Tori-Ayunna Nubin Jul 20

Kayla Patterson Jul 30

Lonzie Bens Jul 27

Donald Vinson Jul 27

Connie Walker Jul 7

Waymon Jackson Jul 18

Linda Dickerson Ferguson Jul 12

Artie Jones Jul 28

Nicholas Jerel Jones "Nick" Jul 17

Melvin Patterson Jul 15

Teddy Jerome Goggans Jul 31

Teddy Goggans Jul 31

Thomas Elijah Jones Sr Jul 5

Lateasha C Walker Jul 8

Growing up without a father I never really knew exactly what I was missing. My mom did so much to make sure I had all I needed to succeed. It wasn’t till I saw my husband interacting with his children that I truly understood what a vital and truly special role fathers can play in the life of a child. What a shame it would be if we took our daddy’s for granted. So, for all you dads out there and dads to be, here’s a special wish for all that you do and all that you are for our children.

Daddy’s Little Girl

I’m my daddy’s little girl.

And my daddy told me,

he borrowed a little piece of the sun,

waited till it cooled,

then made me just the way

he wanted me…

looking like him

(with a little bit of mommy added)

And that sun he borrowed

is why my face lights up so bright

when I smile,

and why all of me is so sunshiny.

And my girlfriend said

she’s her daddy’s little girl.

And her daddy told her

he cut her out of some midnight,

with a cookie cutter he got

from her mommy,

He cut her out of midnight,

because that’s his favorite,

most of the time.

That’s why she is all

of his happiness…

especially when she smiles

letting the moon shine,

and the stars flash

across her face.

And my other girlfriend, she said,

she’s her daddy’s little girl.

And her daddy told her

that he calls her Honey,

because one day he had a sweet tooth.

So he and mommy gathered up all

the flowers they could,

and gave those flowers

to a whole lot of worker bees.

Those bees buzzed around

and buzzed around,

until they designed her sweet enough

to fill his tooth

with her honey drop kiss…

fill his heart

with her honey shined face …

and fill his life

with her honey comb smile.

So, my girlfriends and I decided,

our daddies sure went to a lot of trouble

to make their little girls.

We guess that’s why we love them so much.

Thank you God…and mommies

for helping them out…

We love you too!

--- Lindamichellebaron

Not to worry. OK, so you didn't meet our deadlines. You've changed your mind and now you want to be here with the rest of the gang. Have no fear. Relax.

Email or toll-free call us and let us work out the details.

The fees are the following:

--$75.00 per adult

--$30.00 per child ages 3 to 11

--Children under 3 are free

By now, you should have sent in your fee. Full payment is due now. Please make your payment by check or money order and keep your cancelled check or money order receipt. DO NOT SEND CASH!!!! Your payment should be sent to Atlanta Patterson-Smith Family, P O Box 44063, Atlanta GA, 30336-1063.

Don't forget that when you send in your payment to give us the sizes of the T-shirts you need.

If you are a golfer, we will have some golfer shirts available. You will need to pay extra for it.

The following items are easy for anyone - you don’t

need a professional

1] Check & Change the following:

Headlights, tail lights, turn signals and reverse lights

Tires for pressures and wear

(Tires lose about 1 pound of pressure per month, and 1 pound of pressure for every 10ºF of

temperature change)

Oil Level - change the oil & filter every 3000 miles.

Air Cleaner - this is how your motor breathes

Spark Plugs (can be done by a professional)

Brakes (are they squeaking? Look at the Fluid -is it clean?)

Wiper Blades -Are they worn? Do they squeak?

Washer Fluid - fill it up.

State inspection(where required) - Is it current?

Change any of these items if they are not working, low on fluid level, dirty or not functioning properly!

2.] Bring the following:

Battery Cables or Portable Jump Starter

Tire Inflator with sealer

Flares and matches

Flash light with fresh batteries

First Aid Kit

Bottled water and energy bars

Cell Phone

Road Service Card

Maps and directions

Windshield Cover to keep the heat out when parked

3.] Clean the following:

Windshield, Windows, head and tail lights and turn signals

Clean whenever you stop

The rule for safe driving is:

See and Be Seen!

4.] Weather Tips to Remember:

Watch - a storm is possible

Warning - a storm is heading your way

Forget the Nightmares by:

1.] Not overloading your car - it’s more than unsafe - you can exceed the tires load

capacity

2.] Pack only what you will need and really use -

we all overpack. Make sure everything fits in your vehicle the night before.

3.] Don’t store or stack items on the rear shelf, it can obstruct your view. This is your

communication to those around you.

4.] Don’t assume everyone is as good a driver as yourself.

5.] Be careful of traffic conditions and bottle necks, be prepared for many different situations.

6.] Start your trip early - be mentally and physically prepared. Patience can be the difference.

7.] Improper storage of suitcases, items, games, etc. can become airborne in panic situations.

Place them on the floor.

8.] Make sure the rear and side view mirrors are adjusted to see behind and around you.

9.] Don’t ruin your vacation with road rage, delays may happen. Everyone is trying to get

somewhere quickly, but it takes one wrong move to sour your trip. Stay calm.

10.] Prepare and maintain your car one week before your trip. Don’t Procrastinate!

11.] Use the internet to get exact directions, weather, road conditions and construction areas.

We hope the directions we include in this newsletter will be helpful.

Look at the big picture - Preparing in advance will avoid the headaches and make your trip a really great one!

If you decide to cancel your registration after having

paid, you the have option of donating your registration

fee or requesting a refund. Refunds will not be given

until after our reunion.

As you are aware, each month we ask you for ideas for the family website and we, also, remind you to visit it. We are showing that you are not taking this seriously. Only a few of you have visited it so far.

This is a place you can go to, to reference information such as the weekend schedule, family news, family history, our registration information, our registration fees, and hotel information.

Changes have been made and, as always, this continues to be a work-in-progress endeavor. We would like to know what you want to see there. E-mail or toll-free call us to let us know.

Congratulations to Ariel White, daughter of Gladys and Kenneth White, who just graduated with honors from high school. Ariel will attend Tuskegee University in the fall as a pre-veterinary student, majoring in Animal and Poultry Science. She has received all kinds of scholarships and mom and dad are beaming with pride.

*****

Congratulations to all our recent grads. We wish the best for you as you pursue your careers.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Aunt Mildred was released from the hospital on 6/20/00. She was in there for Symptoms of her last diagnosis of Asthma, Bronchitis, Allergies and you may not know she has emphysema. This time the doctor's orders are for her to be on the oxygen machine permanently, but only God knows. Just keep praying for her as she recovers.

Also prayers for a speedy recovery to Lynn Vinson, Erick's wife, she had out patient surgery on Monday, 6/19 and she's home now and recuperating.

*****

We have a wonderful new member in our Patterson-Smith family! Jhaiana Jereaya Stephens-Tarpley was born on March 9 at 6:20a, weighing in at 6 lbs. 14 ozs. His parents are Clarence L Tarpley, Jr and Brandy Stephens.

The proud grandparents are Rev. Clarence L. Tarpley and Wanda (Bens) Tarpley.

*****

We are pleased to announce that Barbara Bens Nubin wishes to share with us her recent engagement to Dewey Whaley and the happiness their engagement brings to their lives.They will be married on Sept 5, 2000 in St Thomas Virgin Island. They look forward to a future together.

*****

Joe Nubin III is engaged to be married. His fiancée is Chevelle Hall. Their wedding date is February 10, 2001 in West Palm Beach Fl..

*****

CONGRATULATIONS CHARMAINE BENS

Charmaine has been nominated to be included in the 34^th Annual Edition of Who"s Who Among American High School Students, 1999-2000, an honor reserved for only 5% of our nation’s high school students each year.

Who’s Who major objective is to recognize the achievements of our nation’s outstanding students who have contributed to their schools and communities. These students were nominated by high school faculty members, youth groups and educational organizations.

Congratulations Charmaine for achieving such distinguished recognition.

We have come up with the following fees for those of you who want to attend the reunion but won't be able to spend the entire weekend with us:

• Friday and Saturday $35.00 per adult/$15.00 per child
• Saturday only $35.00 per adult/$15.00 per child
• Sunday only $35.00 per adult/$15.00 per child

(The above does not include T-Shirt which is $10.00 extra)

• Saturday and Sunday-full price and includes T-Shirt

Census Records

Census Records can provide a wealth of knowledge in the process of researching your family history. It’s kind of like going back in time and taking a snapshot of a family.

Although the information is not always accurate, depending on which year you are looking at you may be able to see all the people in a particular household, their ages, their birthdates, occupations and relationships. The census is taken every ten years. After about 70 years the census is made available to the public for viewing at locations called National Archives which are located in various parts of the United States. Alex Haley, author of Roots conceived his first ideas for that popular book and movie from a visit to the National Archives. The census started being recorded in 1790. For African Americans, census information can be sketchy until 1870 because before slavery was abolished in 1865, only free blacks were included in the census by name. Slaves were recorded as property, listing only their gender and age. Also, census records from 1890 were mostly destroyed in a fire that occurred in 1921. Let’s take a look at census information for Aaron Patterson and Dora Smith Patterson.

We first see this family unit in 1900 in a census that was taken 22nd & 23rd day of June:

State- South Carolina

County- Pickens, Easley Township

Let’s look at the family in 1910, taken on the 4^th of May:

State- South Carolina

County- Anderson, Williamston Township

The 1920 census was taken on January 3.

State- South Carolina

County- Anderson, Williamston Township

If you get the chance, visit your nearest National Archive. Who knows what you may uncover.

We have requested your help in many areas, especially since many of you have asked how you may contribute.

To offer you the type of service we think you deserve, and to keep the costs down, we need help with the following:

* videography

* photography

We have many names for our male & female relatives. Can you unscramble our list?

MALE RELATIVES

CLUNE __________________

WHENEP ___________________

SINOCU ___________________

THERROB ___________________

TRAFHE ___________________

FRAHNGDATER___________________

GURTHAED _____________________

ICENE __________________

UNCISO ____________________

ANUT ____________________

REMHOT _____________________

SIREST ______________________

RONHRDMATEG _____________________

What other names can you think of ?

___________________________________________________________________________

We’ve been thinking a lot about what makes families successful. Here are some ingredients needed to make a happy family. Can you unscramble them all?

VOLE _______________________

SHOYTEN _______________________

RUTHLESSFUNT _______________________

CERPTES _______________________

SIDECORNNOTAI _______________________

GRIEVESNOFS _______________________

SPINACOSOM _______________________

Male Relatives

Uncle

Nephew

Cousin

Brother

Father

Grandfather

Niece

Cousin

Aunt

Mother

Sister

Grandmother

Honesty

Truthfulness

Respect

Consideration

Forgiveness

Compassion